Incarceration and Voting in Vermont: A Mixed Methods Study

• In Event: Reimagining Prison Through Education and Expression

Abstract

Incarcerated residents of Vermont retain their right to vote when serving a sentence for a felony-level conviction. Yet, existing evidence suggests that they have low voter turnout rates. To better understand residents' access to democracy, this research asked two questions: (1) What are residents’ views about voting and the voting process?; and (2) According to DOC staff and external stakeholders, what are the facilitators and barriers to implementing voting rights within the VT DOC? This mixed-methods design incorporated interviews with VT DOC staff (n=5) and stakeholders (n=6), survey data collected from incarcerated residents’ (N=98), and a review of existing voting rights policies and internal guidance. Qualitative and quantitative findings, as well as the policy and guidance review, speak to the various processes within the correctional setting that help or hinder voting while incarcerated. Our recommendations aim to bolster incarcerated residents’ access to the democratic process and exercising their right to vote.

Author

• Kristen M. Budd, The Sentencing Project