With the November election 29 days away, a unique group of voters are now registered and waiting for their absentee ballots, while awaiting trial.
In Michigan a qualified voter can still vote while incarcerated as long as they are not serving a felony sentence.
That's what a group of community leaders are saying as they work to help detainees in Eaton County participate in the midterm election.
The Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence teamed up with Black Lives Matter Michigan and Eaton County officials to help qualified inmates register to vote.
“Registering is the first thing you have to do in order for you to vote”, said Defense Attorney Lyonel Woolley.
“In our democracy people need to vote. It's a one person vote representation system and I think democracy can only work best if everybody votes and gets represented the right way.”
Monday the group carried their mission to the Eaton County Jail ahead of the voter registration deadline.
“Those that are in jail that are awaiting a sentence and not yet sentenced are able to register to vote and to vote by absentee ballot’, said Eaton county Clerk Diana Bosworth.
Bosworth registered the inmates at the jail site and added them to the list to receive their absentee ballot in the mail.
“I was happy to be a part of this”, Bosworth explained.
“I believe that every qualified voter should have the right to vote.”
According to Michigan.gov, to get an absentee ballot, you must send a written request to your city or township clerk.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is the Saturday before the election, and the last day to register to vote for the November election is Tuesday, October 9th.
