would like to welcome you to our 2020 Census and Voting Rights Outreach Promotion.
The primary purpose of this promotion is to provide information about, and encourage participation in, the 2020 Census and the election process – especially as it relates to individuals and families which have experienced the challenges of entering the criminal justice system.
Every 10 years the US Constitution requires a full and accurate count of our population in order to fairly distribute more than $675 billion in federal funds, annually, to support housing, education, transportation, employment, health care, and other social programs. This money helps low-income households, immigrants and other disadvantaged populations in underserved communities who face discrimination or disenfranchisement.
Additionally, a recent decision (dated June 14, 2020) by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida (case no. 4:19cv300-RH/MJF) has denied the plaintiff’s (Governor DeSantis and the Secretary of State) petition to “stay” a lower court’s decision to allow Florida residents with felony convictions to register to vote. This means that persons with felony convictions, excluding those convicted of certain violent crimes, are now able to legally register without fear of prosecution. This is a major victory for the civil rights of an estimated 1.5 million people, disproportionately people of color, who were previously denied their right to vote!
Please answer the following anonymous survey which provides important information about your experience with the criminal justice system - without identifying who you are. Immediately after completing the anonymous survey, please feel free to register to win one of over 150 gift cards that will be given away by taking the next survey that does require your name and contact information. The winners will be notified by email or text no later than one week after the end of the month until all gift cards have been given away. At that point, this promotion will be taken down from our website.
Thank you for taking the time to help us gather this information that is now more vital than ever to make the systemic changes necessary to ensure the equal human, civil and legal rights of everyone. In the meantime, please take a few moments to determine your role to help persons with criminal records who want a meaningful opportunity to become healthy, productive and law-abiding citizens in our community.