About LA Free The Vote
LA Free the Vote brings together seven LA County Departments and many community organizations, including but not limited to those listed above.
LA Free the Vote is an initiative created in 2018 tasking Los Angeles County agencies to collaborate with stakeholders in a taskforce to civically engage and register to vote people impacted by the criminal legal system.
LA Free the Vote aims to make LA County a national leader in systematically offering voter registration to the system impacted population and encouraging this population to vote. Recognizing that the system impacted population sits at the intersection of multiple underserved communities, LA Free the Vote brings an intentional County government focus to proactively outreach to this population whose voices are important to our civic life.
Los Angeles County Board Motions Establishing LA Free the Vote:
Media
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From formerly incarcerated to building power with voter registration
by Tim Kornegay Guest Oped , October 22, 2020
“[..]To conclude, the work is cut out for me very clearly. I will continue to support my community by ensuring they have the tools necessary so that Newly Empowered Voices remain empowered and we never again allow our voices to be silenced.
We can no longer have elections or a country without New Empowered Voices being recognized.
We must no longer allow and embrace the historic narrative that the 3 B’s “Black, Brown or Broke” aren’t worthy of redemption and second chances. Everyone deserves a chance, especially those of us who never really got the first chance. The journey to change is real.
And undoubtedly, those who are closest to pain are closest to the solution.”
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L.A. County Seeks to Register People with Certain Criminal History to Vote
mynewsLA.com, OCTOBER 23, 2020
“A coalition of county officials and partners gathered Friday to celebrate L.A. Free the Vote, an initiative to encourage people affected by the criminal justice system to understand and exercise their right to vote.
‘In an election where the right to vote is being threatened in many parts of the country, L.A. County is proud to be working to restore voting rights to all eligible individuals,’ Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said during an event with the Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium.
‘People who have been involved with jail, prison or probation are disproportionately people of color, and their civic engagement is vital if our society is to reckon with its history of racial discrimination, Ridley-Thomas said.”
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Early voting centers open in LA County, including the Forum and Staples Center
ABC7 News, Josh Haskell, Jade Hernandez and Amy Powell, October 24, 2020
"‘We want voters to know it is safe to come and vote. You don't need to make a choice between your health and safety and participating in the election,’ said L.A. Registrar-Recorder/County ClerkDean Logan.
Minutes before closing time at 7 p.m. voters were still showing up to cast their ballots at Staples Center.
‘It was so important to beat the rush and to let my voice be heard. This is a very pivotal time in our history so I had to come out and vote,’ said Tommy Coleman.
The county has also launched LA Free The Vote, an organization that encourages anyone impacted by the criminal justice system to vote.”
