Voting behind bars: Inmates cast ballots in St. Louis County

CLAYTON, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Early voting data shows more than 110,000 people have already cast their ballots in St. Louis County elections. Some of those people include inmates in St. Louis County.

“Sometimes you feel like you don’t have one. It’s just a way to make sure you have one,” said inmate Raymond Sinks.

Sinks has been held inside the St. Louis County jail for three years, awaiting assault charges.

But because he has yet to be convicted, he and 37 others being held in the jail are being allowed to vote.

“It gives me a chance to have a conversation like I do with my mother about what’s going on in the outside, and i feel like I at least get to be apart of the outside,” Sinks said.

Denise Lieberman is with the Missouri Voting Protection Coalition, which, among other things, has worked to get access to the ballot for those in jail and felons.

“Voting confers dignity, voting lets us make our voices heard,” said Lieberman.

She says that in the past, while legal, it was difficult for inmates to vote.

For example, they had to get their ballot notarized, but recent changes have made it much easier.

“People who are impacted by the criminal justice system may have particular perspectives of the criminal justice system that are relevant and helpful,” said Lieberman.

Nicki Bond with the St. Louis County jail says she and staff did extra legwork to make this happen.

“Although they are incarcerated, they still have rights. They are pretrial detainees, and so it is our responsibility to make sure that voting is accessible to each one of them,” said Bond.

Helping inmates like Marissa McMiller vote.

“I feel like I’m just as wanted as them. I don’t feel like I’m incarcerated when it comes to my voice being heard,” said McMiller.

A new Missouri law also opens up ballot access for convicted felons.

The law allows felons on probation or parole to still vote as long as they weren’t convicted of a violent crime or a sex crime.

“When they believe that their voice is important to their community, studies show they’re less likely to behave in ways that are anti-social,” said Lieberman.