When first-time voter Tykarri Skillon finished studying the list of candidates, looking for those who shared his priorities on jobs and affordable housing, he marked his ballot and was escorted back to his cell in the Cook County Jail.
And the security at this polling place wasn’t intended to keep disrupters and campaigners out, but the voters in.
“It feels good to have a voice,” Skillon said after casting his ballot during early voting, before the race went to an April 4 runoff. “We’re going home someday, so we should have a voice in our community.” At least one state, Tennessee, had a bill introduced this year to address one of the barriers. Being in jail as a pretrial detainee is not one of the reasons considered valid for granting a mail ballot request, said Democratic state Sen. Jeff Yarbro, the bill’s sponsor. Yabro, who recently announced he was running for mayor of Nashville, wants that changed.
“Previously if detainees wanted to vote, they had to do the legwork,” she said. “They had to know their registration status and make the request for the mail ballot application.” Registrar Dean Logan said as many as 11,700 people could be eligible at a given time when the voting goes countywide. He said it could serve as a model for other counties.
A 2019 state law required that jails take steps to enable voting by detainees who have not been convicted. Smaller jails aren’t required to have polling stations but must arrange for absentee ballots.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Wilma Rudolph: A legacy of overcoming odds - New York Amsterdam NewsIn commemorating Women’s Heritage Month, we reflect on the legacy of world-renowned sprinter Wilma Glodean Rudolph. By the time she was a teenager. she had overcome more challenges than many people do in an entire lifetime.
Consulte Mais informação »
Kittie Knox of cycling fame and fashion - New York Amsterdam NewsKnox was born on Oct. 7, 1874, in Cambridgeport, Mass. Her mother was white and her father was a Black tailor, and it was possibly from him that she later became a talented seamstress, often making her own eye-catching garments.
Consulte Mais informação »
4 ex-cops charged in Tyre Nichols' death barred from police - New York Amsterdam NewsFour of five former Memphis police officers charged in the killing of Tyre Nichols, a Black man who was handcuffed, brutally beaten and ignored by first responders for crucial minutes despite being barely conscious, can no longer work as law enforcement in Tennessee.
Consulte Mais informação »
Sistas celebrate sistas - New York Amsterdam NewsTo celebrate Women’s History Month, Square Circles and Sista’s Place will host an intimate conversation with the women of the community, acknowledging their resilience despite the hostile environments they often have to navigate.
Consulte Mais informação »
Trailblazing Black Women: Susie Cayton and Elizabeth Flood - New York Amsterdam NewsBiddy Mason, Mary Fields, and Mary Ellen Pleasant are three Black women who are often cited when there is a discussion of such notables in the western parts of the nation.
Consulte Mais informação »
Harris visits Ghana's president, promises aid, investments - New York Amsterdam NewsVice President Kamala Harris will try to deepen and reframe U.S. relationships in Africa during a weeklong trip that is the latest and highest profile outreach by the Biden administration as it moves to counter China's growing influence.
Consulte Mais informação »