Norton, Pingree Introduce Bill to Require Federal Bureau of Prisons to Provide Eligible Incarcerated Individuals Information on Voting
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced a bill today to require the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to provide incarcerated individuals from jurisdictions that allow those individuals to vote, like the District of Columbia and Maine, information on how to register to vote and request absentee ballots.
“People in federal custody who are eligible to vote cannot exercise this fundamental right unless they’re given information on how to cast a ballot,” Norton said. “This bill would codify some past BOP practices on providing incarcerated individuals with information on voter registration and instructing them on how to request absentee ballots. Thank you to Congresswoman Pingree for co-leading this important legislation."
“Maine is one of only four states or territories where incarcerated people retain the right to vote, and our democracy is stronger because of it,” said Pingree. “But that right means little if eligible voters do not have the information and tools needed to exercise it. I’m proud to join Congresswoman Norton in this effort to ensure eligible voters in federal custody understand how to register and cast an absentee ballot. Removing unnecessary barriers to civic participation brings us closer to a stronger, more inclusive democracy.”
Norton’s introductory statement follows.
Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Voting Assistance Act of 2026
July 21, 2026
Today, I introduce the Federal Bureau of Prisons Voting Assistance Act of 2026. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is the co-lead.
This bill would require the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to provide individuals in BOP prisons from jurisdictions that allow such individuals to vote, like the District of Columbia and Maine, information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. BOP would be required to provide each BOP prison information on the criteria for voter registration, instructions on voter registration, voter registration forms and prepaid envelopes for voter registration forms, if provided by the state generally. Each BOP prison would be required to post the information and to give it to each individual eligible to vote.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
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