Despite ongoing debates, Illinois jail maintains policy allowing detainees to participate in presidential and local elections.

Detainees in the Cook County Jail are not only receiving civics instruction, but are also permitted to cast their ballots.

Despite ongoing debates, Illinois jail maintains policy allowing detainees to participate in presidential and local elections.
Despite ongoing debates, Illinois jail maintains policy allowing detainees to participate in presidential and local elections.

An Illinois jail educates inmates and detainees on how to vote while imprisoned.

Nathaniel Carswell is among those temporarily detained at Cook County Jail's Division II, which remains fenced with barbed wire and the echo of doors slamming shut.

Several inmates, including Carswell, participated in a civics class at the facility and are now eligible to vote in the 2024 presidential election.

i voted buttons
I voted button and voting day sign  (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

"Carswell informed Fox 32 that the purpose of the class is to inform individuals of their rights and limitations, as well as the significance of their voice. Additionally, many people are unaware of how to vote, making this class highly educational."

Another detainee at the facility, Marquis Tucker, asserted that voting was an opportunity to express his own opinions within his community.

""They likely believe we are merely exercising and passing the time, but we are a knowledgeable group who closely monitor the news," Tucker stated."

Detainees in Cook County can practice democracy in the solitude and comfort of the chapel, as Sheriff Tom Dart stated.

vote sign
After voting, host a watch party with all your friends and family.  (iStock )

"Dart stated that we frequently discuss the need for individuals involved in the criminal justice system to be reengaged in their communities, with a focus on obtaining jobs and maintaining family connections."

"What better way to truly feel like you own your community than by voting? You're the one choosing your alderman, state representative, and even the President of the United States, which gives you a sense of ownership in your community," Dart stated.

During the 2020 elections, Cook County established polling stations within its jail walls, making it the first such facility in the country.

Jail cell
Jail cell (iStock)

The sheriff stated that there is a higher number of people attending events in jail compared to those on the outside.

Prisoners in Dart have a higher voter turnout rate than those in Chicago, with over 50% of registered detainees casting their ballots in a recent election.

Tucker said that weight is the future of his family.

Tucker stated that he has two children and simply desires the candidates to ensure their safety.

by Scott McDonald

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