1/16/2020 -
The ruling follows a 2018 amendment to Florida’s constitution restoring voting rights to former felons upon completion of sentences and probation.
12/18/2019 -
On. Dec. 18, 2019, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation to restore voting rights to those who are on probation or parole after completing prison sentences. The law will take effect in Mar. 2020. Previously, voting was allowed only after completion of probation or parole.
12/16/2019 -
Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order on Dec. 12 reinstating the vote of people convicted of nonviolent felonies who had finished their sentences. His father issued the same order as governor in 2015, but it was overturned by incoming governor Matt Bevin. Iowa is now the only state that has a total ban on voting by former felons.
8/29/2019 -
Learn about the presidential candidates’ views on important issues, compare them with a side-by-side chart, find your best match with a fun quiz, track their finances, and so much more on our 2020 Presidential Election website. The New York Times called our previous presidential election site “The most comprehensive tool for researching the candidate’s stance on issues.” Check back monthly for expanded issue coverage.
7/2/2019 -
People convicted of felonies in Colorado who have completed their prison sentences but are on parole can now vote.
7/1/2019 -
On June 27, 2019, Florida’s governor signed a bill into law that requires that people convicted of felonies must pay restitution, court fees, and fine before the right to vote will be restored. The right to vote was restored to most people with prior felonies by statewide vote (Amendment 4) in Nov. 2018.
5/30/2019 -
Nevada restored the vote to former felons upon completion of their prison sentence, parole, and probation.
5/20/2019 -
US Senator and 2020 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders reignited this debate last month. Find quotes from Sanders (pro), as well as Professor John Lott, Jr. (con), New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie (pro), and the Boston Herald Editorial Board (con), among others.
2/21/2019 -
Our new topic explores the pros and cons in the debate over making birth control pills available over-the-counter (OTC). 9.1 million women (12.6% of contraceptive users) use birth control pills, which are the second-most commonly used method of contraception in the United States. Proponents say making the birth control pill available over-the-counter would lower teen pregnancy rates, provide contraceptive access to medically underserved women, and ease access to a health-improving drug with decades of safe use. Opponents say making the Pill over-the-counter would raise the cost of contraception for women, pose a danger to teens’ and women’s health by removing the doctor’s visit requirement, and limit what options are made available.
Our new website presents the top pro & con arguments and quotes, a history of the debate, a video gallery, the prescription status of birth control pills around the world, and a list of drugs switched from prescription to OTC status.
1/17/2019 -
ProCon.org, a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity,
seeks an in-house Researcher (full-time with benefits or part-time
without benefits) to develop content for websites devoted to a
nonpartisan in-depth presentation of 70+ controversial issues. Three
items are required for application, as specified in the job notice.
11/7/2018 -
On Nov. 6, 2018, Florida voters passed Amendment 4 (64%-36%), automatically restoring the vote to people with prior felony convictions (other than murder and sex offenses) once they have served their terms of incarceration and completed all parole and probation.
7/16/2018 -
We’re excited to announce 50 free lesson plan ideas for educators! Visit our Teachers’ Corner for inspiration, including lessons plans about distinguishing fact from opinion, how to write a “call-to-action” letter, and content from our partner Credo Reference.
4/23/2018 -
See felon voting laws for all 50 states and DC, including 10 states where a felon may lose the vote permanently; 20 states that require completion of prison, parole, and probation; 3 states that require completion of prison and probation; 15 states and DC that restore the vote after prison; and 2 states where felons may vote from prison.
11/9/2017 -
See each state’s laws on felon voting: US states are placed within one of five categories ranging from harshest (may lose vote permanently) to least-restrictive (may vote while in prison).
10/4/2017 -
In 2016 an estimated 6.1 million people in the United States (2.5% of the nation’s voting age population, excluding DC) could not vote due to a felony conviction. Our updated chart breaks down the numbers for each state.