Some prisoners in Pennsylvania can vote- but very few counties have a process to help them access that legal right.

The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus rallied on Wednesday about voting rights, with inmate or formerly incarcerated voters a main focus of legislative goals.

A newer priority, the caucus wants to mandate clear systems for prisoners to vote while in county institutions. Pennsylvania’s State Departments released guidance counties could follow in 2024. Speakers said eight out of 67 counties have implemented those rules, and that a state mandate would close access gaps.

A second prison reform bill codifies a state supreme court ruling from 26 years ago; justicess said felons who leave prison can vote right away as opposed to waiting five years like a previous law required.

Voting advocacy group “New pennsylvania project” says codifying the ruling could give clarity to the legal precedent. Kadida Kenner, CEO of the organization, shared a story of being in Erie in 2024 and fighting misinformation that a formerly incarcerated man– Gustavo– had believed.

“Gustavo said to us, ‘you know, I really wanted to vote in this election.. I’ve been told I can’t vote’,” Kenner said. “And we showed him the voter information guide, and we showed him from the department of state that he is eligible to be registered to vote– because he had been lied to for years.”

Caucus lawmakers also want broader election reform, like same day voter registration and pre canvassing policies. Their priorities often focus on streamlining or expanding options for how people vote.

Lastly, lawmakers spoke on worries about redistricting, how laxer federal protection can dilute the representation of minority communities.

The event was a few days before Juneteenth. A visiting state representative from Tennessee called for citizens to get involved, in part to honor past sacrifices.

“What we have inherited was not given to us. And the liberties and blessings we do enjoy– the black speaker of this house, us in the positions that we are in– is not because people just prayed,” said Rep. Justin Pearson, a Democrat for the city of Memphis. “It is because they moved their feet on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.”

The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus has 39 members this year.