Voter Engagement Efforts Ramp Up Across the State

Photos courtesy VOTE and X Marks the Ballot Jayvon Watkins Data News Weekly Contributor Only 36-percent of 3 million registered voters in Louisiana cast a ballot in the 2023 governor’s race, according to data from the Louisiana Secretary of State. With the presidential and national elections approaching in November, local voting organizations are focused on reaching out to residents, especially those who often feel disengaged from the voting process. “We register people to vote, and our target audience is formerly incarcerated people,” said Charles Amos, the New Orleans Chapter Organizer for Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), who is also working to engage formerly incarcerated individuals in the electoral process. VOTE was founded by Norris Henderson who was wrongfully incarcerated and served a 27-year sentence. “Formerly incarcerated people do have the right to vote,” Amos explained. “It’s important that they realize this and not only register to vote but pledge to vote.” In Louisiana, people who have been convicted of a felony can vote if they are no longer serving a sentence, if they are on probation, or if they have been on parole for more than 5 years. Amos said it’s important for formerly incarcerated individuals to know their rights,...