Voice of the Experienced (VOTE)

VOTE is a grassroots organization founded and run by formerly incarcerated people (FIP), our families and our allies. We are dedicated to restoring the full human and civil rights of those most impacted by the criminal (in)justice system. Together we have the experiences, expertise and power to improve public safety in New Orleans and beyond without relying on mass incarceration.

VOTE is a culmination of decades of experience and expertise in criminal justice reform. We're an extension of Angola Special Civics Project, a political group of men focused on improving criminal justice policies and prison conditions, which began in the Louisiana State Penitentiary (aka Angola) in the 1980s.

We've seen many victories in our time, including the passage of Act 636 and Amendment 2 in 2018, and Act 127 in 2021. We grew to a staff of 24, added two chapter cities, in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, and purchased and moved into a brand new building.

We build people power locally, statewide and nationally through the vision to improve public safety without relying on mass incarceration. We do this locally primarily at our chapters' monthly member meetings where formerly incarcerated people and allies gather to share their stories, discuss ideas for policy reform, and create agendas for bringing those reforms to light. Statewide and nationally, we participate in several coalitions that strategize together to amplify messages.