The Got Democracy? workshop will build power with and develop the tools necessary for people directly impacted by felon disenfranchisement laws to effect policy change on the state level.

We will use the Got Democracy initiative in Maryland as a model for bringing grassroots movements and the people directly impacted to the forefront of the movement to reform felon disenfranchisement laws. We will strategize on how formerly incarcerated people can leverage power legislatively and position themselves to effect policy change. In doing this, we are creating a new dynamic – one where impacted citizens have the tools necessary to hold their elected officials accountable to their constituencies and communities.

The workshop will focus on the steps that are effective in dismantling felon disenfranchisement laws while positioning the “previously voice-less” into the roles of coalition leaders, movement leaders, and spokespeople. We will address effective media and communication strategies, legislative advocacy, grassroots development, and leadership development.

This workshop will be led by Got Democracy (Maryland), T.O.P.S. (The Ordinary People Society) and the Alabama Alliance to Restore the Vote as well as other partner leaders/coalitions that are working to restore the right to vote. Both these organizations are statewide grassroots advocacy organizations that are also led by former felons.

With regard to some of the questions posed in the guidelines:

1. Ideas we want people to take away:

Attendees will walk away with effective strategies for use in their individual communities to demand, create, and implement the changes that they want to see to felon disenfranchisement policies or other issues that they identify. Formerly incarcerated participants and their allies will leave with a new appreciation for the voice and power that those most impacted by felon disenfranchisement laws can use to effect real legislative change.

2. How does it connect with the themes:

In this workshop, participants will share, develop, and strengthen their resolve to build and sustain a movement to dismantle the archaic, racist and fear driven policies that have kept former felons from full civic participation by denying them the most basic right of citizenship – the vote.

3. What is the biggest challenge/obstacle facing the movement:

The challenges and obstacles faced by formerly incarcerated people are tremendous, but we are in a position to overcome them. We face external and internal challenges. Since this workshop is being planned and facilitated by formerly incarcerated people, it will address the internal challenges and struggles that we must tackle if we are ultimately going to tackle the external challenges and become leaders in the movement to reform criminal (in)justice policies including felon disenfranchisement laws.

Finally, this workshop will seek ways to build a stronger, more unified, and supported base for the work that is being led by formerly incarcerated people across the country. We will inspire and motivate those most impacted by felon disenfranchisement laws to become engaged in this movement and to change the political landscape in their individual states and across the country.