Prison-Based Gerrymandering (H 7263, S 2286A)

Following years of inaction, the Senate in May passed legislation addressing the problem of prison-based gerrymandering. When it comes to drawing new voting districts, any individuals incarcerated at the ACI in Cranston on the day the Census worker comes through are recorded as living on Howard Avenue, including individuals awaiting trial or serving misdemeanor sentences during which they are still allowed to vote.  As a result, Cranston is overrepresented in the General Assembly, while the districts from where the prisoners hail are underrepresented. Under the current plan, approximately 15% of House District 20 is comprised of voters who cannot vote in Cranston. In April, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in support of companion legislation to rectify this disparity and require all prisoners to be counted, for voting purposes only, at their last known address. Unfortunately, the bill failed to receive a committee vote on the House side, and died.