Oregon Public Broadcasting

The League of Women Voters and Multnomah County have been working together over the last couple of weeks holding voting workshops for felons and those on  parole.

And with just one week to go before election day, workers are making sure those who didn’t receive ballots get them in time for elections day. Becca Bartleson reports.

About 25 registered voters talk excitedly and ask questions of  near-by volunteers. They’re filling out ballots for the November  election.

Many are felons, on parole or probation. And for most it’s their first time voting. 

It’s one of several events  put on by the League of Womens Voters and the county's Londer Learning Center. For the past two weeks about 50 students have attended classes on current ballot measures, the elections process and how government works.

Jeanne Steed: "They really want help understanding a lot of the measures. And we try to give them the pro and con. Most of them are very grateful for the help."

Jeanne Steed is a volunteer with the League. She says she’s been helping with this program for about 15 years.

About seventy percent of the program’s attendees are felons. Some states take away felons' voting rights, but in Oregon they can vote once they're released.

Carole Scholl is the Community Justice Manager of the center.

She says this program is  part of the center’s mission  to educate, and reintroduce former criminals to society. She says the Loder center prepares students for getting their GED or applying for college. She calls voting just one more step in the educational process.

Carole Scholl: "Voting is doubly important for these students. A lot of them are felons, a lot of them haven’t really engaged as part of the community. So the idea of voting is huge because it’s one way to be a part of the community."

About 120 ex-offenders voluntarily attend classes every month. The program is funded by the county as part of its criminal rehabilitation process. 

County workers say education reduces recidivism; people with a GED or college degree are less likely to commit a crime.

18-year old Camery Johnson is excited about voting for the first time. She says this  program has helped her understand the major political parties, a system she had found confusing.

Camery Johnson: "I think it’s really important to vote because whatever president you’re going to have it’s going to affect the government and it’s going to affect you. I just think that everybody’s voice should be heard so if you’re a felon or not."

A student will usually attend the center’s classes for six months or more. Most of the students have an eighth grade education or less, and were recommended to  the school by their parole officers.