Right now, over 30,000 Illinois citizens are disenfranchised because they’re incarcerated.

But citizenship doesn’t end at the prison gates and people in prison are still impacted by the decisions made by their elected officials. Nearly 80 percent of women in Illinois prisons are mothers, and our state’s disenfranchisement law prevents them from advocating for their children and families.

This law has no place in Illinois. This year, we have a chance to change it. The elections committee in the state House is considering adding HB 39, a bill that would restore the right to vote for Illinoisans in prison, to their larger democracy reform package.

But it’s not a done deal. Add your name in support of restoring rights to people in prison, because our democracy is stronger when everyone gets a voice.

Note: The legislature reviews how many Illinoisians have submitted their names for and against a piece of legislation every time it holds a committee hearing on a bill. By adding your name here, you’ll help ensure that committee members see there is support for rights restoration when they hold their upcoming hearing on HB 39.