In a groundbreaking move, Colorado’s mandate to establish polling places in county jails has led to a dramatic surge in voter turnout among incarcerated individuals. Thanks to Senate Bill 72, which required in-person voting access in jails, over 2,300 people cast ballots in November 2024—a massive increase from just 231 in 2022. This first-in-the-nation policy, highlighted in a recent article by Bolts Magazine (read the full story here), has proven that when barriers are removed, eligible voters in jails are eager to participate in democracy.
Before this law, many local officials claimed incarcerated individuals already had ballot access, but the data told a different story.
In 2022, some counties reported zero jail voters, while others made it nearly impossible for detained individuals to vote by restricting mail and limiting access to voter information. SB 72 removed this discretion, ensuring that eligible voters—most of whom are detained pretrial and legally innocent—could exercise their rights.
The results speak for themselves. In Jefferson County, 348 incarcerated individuals voted in 2024, compared to just two in 2022. Similar spikes were seen in conservative and liberal counties alike, proving that this is not a partisan issue but a matter of fairness and equity. Colorado’s success, as reported by Bolts Magazine, is inspiring other states to consider similar reforms. Advocates in New Mexico, Washington, and beyond are now pushing for policies that mirror SB 72.
As Kyle Giddings of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition noted, “People that are incarcerated are ready to have their voices heard.”
This victory shows that when we remove systemic barriers, we empower communities and strengthen democracy. Let’s build on this momentum to ensure every eligible voter, regardless of their circumstances, can participate in shaping our future.
Credit to Bolts Magazine for their insightful reporting on this important issue.
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