Voice of the Experienced

Introduction

The Voice of the Experienced (VOTE) is a grassroots, membership-based nonprofit organization founded and led by formerly incarcerated people, their families, and allies. The organization is dedicated to restoring the full civil and human rights of those impacted by the criminal justice system.

Mission and Objectives

VOTE focuses on several key areas to achieve its mission:

• Voting Rights: The organization works to restore voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals and those with convictions by changing voting policies, organizing community canvassing, hosting voter registration drives, and educating the public about their rights[2].
• Medical Rights: VOTE advocates for accessible and equitable healthcare, both inside and outside the prison system[2].
• Employment Rights: It seeks to end employment discrimination and has been instrumental in "Ban the Box" initiatives, which prevent employers from asking about criminal history on job applications[2].
• Housing Rights: The organization pushes for fair and equitable housing policies at federal, state, and local levels to ensure access to housing for formerly incarcerated people[2].
• Policy Reform: VOTE engages in policy advocacy to transform the criminal justice system, focusing on solutions that address mass incarceration and its impacts on communities[2].

Operations and Impact

As a grassroots organization, VOTE operates at local, state, and national levels through coalitions. It provides expertise in identifying problems and proposing solutions to discriminatory policies affecting housing, employment, and healthcare for people with convictions[3]. VOTE collaborates with other organizations to amplify its impact, such as partnering with Black Voters Matter to inform formerly incarcerated individuals about their voting eligibility following changes in legislation[2].

Structure

VOTE is driven by its membership of formerly incarcerated individuals and their allies, ensuring that those most affected by the criminal justice system are central to its decision-making and advocacy efforts[1][3].

Conclusion

The Voice of the Experienced is a prominent voice in advocating for the rights of formerly incarcerated people and their communities, working towards a more equitable and just society through policy reform, advocacy, and community engagement.