Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole · Elections)

The Inclusive Democracy Act of 2026 ensures that individuals convicted of criminal offenses retain the right to vote in federal elections, regardless of whether the conviction occurred before or after the law's enactment. It mandates that courts, prisons, and parole offices notify incarcerated and supervised individuals that their criminal record does not strip them of their voting rights. The bill also requires carceral settings to provide voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications, allowing inmates to use either their prison address or their last known home address to register. Additionally, the legislation permits candidates and nonpartisan groups to distribute voting materials inside prisons and prohibits prosecution of inmates who mistakenly vote in local or state elections while registered for federal offices.

The Inclusive Democracy Act of 2026 mandates that individuals with criminal convictions retain their right to vote in federal elections and requires prisons, jails, and probation offices to notify incarcerated or supervised individuals of this right. The bill establishes specific procedures for voter registration and absentee voting within carceral settings, including expedited transmission of forms and the ability to use either a prison address or a last known address for registration. It also prohibits states from rejecting ballots or registration applications based on late mailing dates or electronic submission methods and ensures that election materials and nonpartisan voter registration services can be distributed inside correctional facilities.