Skip to Content List

  • Skip to primary content
  • Skip to footer content

Site Navigation Lists

  • Fellowship Application
  • Grantmaking Process
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • About
    • Mission and Vision
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Leadership Council
    • Impact Reports
    • Impact Photo Series
  • Programs and Impact
    • Our Programs and Impact
    • Education and Youth Development
    • Criminal and Juvenile Justice
    • Addiction and Health Equity
    • Community Fellowships
  • Grantees and Fellows
    • Grantee Database
    • Grantmaking Process
    • Community Fellows
    • How to Apply
  • News and Reports
    • Baltimore Justice Report
    • Newsletters
    • Reports
    • Impact Reports
    • Blueprint for Baltimore
    • OSI in the News
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
    • 20th Anniversary Speaker Series
    • Talking About Race Series
    • Talking About Addiction Series
  • Privacy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Community Guidelines
  • Terms & Conditions
Open Society Institute – Baltimore

Open Society Institute – Baltimore

Open Society Institute (OSI) – Baltimore : Audacious Thinking For Lasting Change

  • Fellowship Application
  • Grantmaking Process
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • EN
    • EN
    • ES
  • About
    • Mission and Vision
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Leadership Council
    • Impact Reports
    • Impact Photo Series
  • Programs and Impact
    • Our Programs and Impact
    • Education and Youth Development
    • Criminal and Juvenile Justice
    • Addiction and Health Equity
    • Community Fellowships
  • Grantees and Fellows
    • Grantee Database
    • Grantmaking Process
    • Community Fellows
    • How to Apply
  • News and Reports
    • Baltimore Justice Report
    • Newsletters
    • Reports
    • Impact Reports
    • Blueprint for Baltimore
    • OSI in the News
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
    • 20th Anniversary Speaker Series
    • Talking About Race Series
    • Talking About Addiction Series
A Victory for Democracy: Maryland Eliminates Final Barrier to Voting for Returning Citizens

Featured in
Baltimore Justice Report

Next Article
Baltimore magazine's "Activists to Watch" includes OSI board member, fellow

Baltimore Justice Report

A Victory for Democracy: Maryland Eliminates Final Barrier to Voting for Returning Citizens

Tuesday, February 09, 2016

Content Social Share Links

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter

The Maryland Senate today overrode Governor Larry Hogan’s veto of a bill that will finally allow Marylanders convicted of a felony to vote in elections once they have been released from prison. This is the culmination of years of work by many groups, including OSI-Baltimore, to advocate for the rights of returning citizens to participate in the political process.

As recently as 15 years ago, Marylanders convicted of a felony lost their voting rights for the rest of their lives. Then, felons could vote, but they had to wait three years after their sentence–including parole, probation, fines, and restitution–were completed. In 2007, the three-year waiting period was dropped, and with today’s move, returning citizens can now vote as soon as they have completed their prison sentence.

Jane Henderson, executive director of Communities United, told the Washington Post that the 29-18 vote to override the veto “is a huge victory for voting rights, not just in Maryland but in the country.” OSI-Baltimore supports Communities United’s efforts to help returning citizens and people overcoming a substance use disorder advocate for themselves and for systemic changes that support their rehabilitation and recovery. We believe that helping these individuals fully engage in civic life helps to reduce recidivism and advance our goal of reducing mass incarceration in Maryland.

 

Related Content

The Sun’s Justin George on the underpinnings of crime

Baltimore Sun crime reporter Justin George is interviewed in this Q and A from the Trace. George recognizes that the issues o…

Read More

Post navigation

Previous Article Previous OSI hosts strategy session in advance of DOJ consent decree
Next Article Next Article Baltimore magazine’s “Activists to Watch” includes OSI board member, fellow
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube

Subscribe to our mailing list

OSI Logo

Open Society Institute-Baltimore
Bold Thinking, Strategic Action, Justice for All.

Quick donate

© 2023 Open Society Institute-Baltimore
  • Privacy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Community Guidelines
  • Terms & Conditions
Skip to top of page