Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat and member of "The Squad," has called for lowering the voting age to 16 and allowing incarcerated prisoners to cast ballots.
Pressley made the comments during a press conference with Vermont Sen. Peter Welch on Wednesday.
The press conference was about legislation they are introducing to restore the voting rights of felons.
"That's why we're here today, to introduce the Inclusive Democracy Act — a historic, brand new, first-of-its-kind bill that will end the stain of felony disenfranchisement in America and guarantee the right to vote for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated citizens," Pressley stated.
The legislation would require prisons to allow incarcerated criminals to vote by mail. Rep @AyannaPressley: We must "expand access to the ballot box, Including for incarcerated citizens" & teenagers as young as "16" pic.twitter.com/bP9SjGm84d
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 6, 2023
"Our bill is a reflection of bold, progressive, democratic values. Because of Republicans and the Supreme Court stopping at nothing to undermine voting rights and to exclude Black and brown folks from participating in our democracy, we must be just as relentless at protecting and expanding access to the ballot box, including for incarcerated citizens," she added.
The far-left progressive politician went on to compare felons losing their voting rights to Jim Crow racial segregation laws.
"When the former occupant of the White House can lead a violent insurrection and still run for president while nearly five million citizens can have a criminal record and not even cast a ballot, Jim Crow is not behind us," Pressley said.
This is not the first time that Pressley has tried to lower the federal voting age.
"Our democracy is on the line, and the stakes could not be higher," the congresswoman continued. "As a Boston city councilor prior to my time here in Congress, I was proud to advocate for expanded access to the ballot box. Requiring ballots be made available in multiple languages, expanding early voting in local elections. And in Congress, I led efforts and legislation to lower the federal voting age to 16 and urged the DOJ to aggressively protect voting rights and to fight against voter suppression."
"So I have been — and I will continue to fight — for voting rights for everyone," she said.
The bill is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled House.
