More than nine million American citizens are denied the same right to vote that they would enjoy if living in another part of the country. Several states deny voting rights for life to anyone convicted of a felony. Children of American families living abroad often cannot vote when they come of voting age. American citizens living in Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands can be drafted into the military but are unable to vote for their commander in chief. Congress has sweeping power to govern the District of Columbia, yet more than a half million citizens living in the District have no voting representation in Congress. The government should not deny any citizen the right to vote based on where they live.

For more information on DC voting rights
For more information on voting rights for people with felony convictions

Policy Recommendations:

• Pass federal legislation that bases the right to vote on citizenship.  If a person is a citizen of the United States, regardless of residency, that person should be able to cast a ballot.

• Restoration of voting rights for all citizens who have completed their felony sentence as the first step toward a right to vote regardless of criminal record.

• Voting rights for U.S. citizens who are residents of U.S. Territories.