Save Act will make it difficult for renamed spouses to vote
The Save Act is intended to prevent non-citizens from voting, but it can also make it more difficult for married people to vote.
Two years ago, I decided to leave prison and rebuild my life. Since then, I have testified before Austin City Council, coached young people, and worked with nonprofits to strengthen my community. I have kept my words to society, but the system refuses to respect them.
When I was released on parole, I was expected to prove my credibility. The word parole itself comes from a French phrase that means “to give you a word of honor.” But even after I proved myself, I am not trusted by the most fundamental right to citizenship, the vote.
“I’ve been trusted freely. Why not trust me by protecting my freedom?” Voting would allow me to do just that. Without it, I have mercy to others to make decisions that will affect my life, my family, my community.
If I could move freely, do my job, pay taxes and serve the community, why did I deny the right to vote? This is what “civil death” looks like. Even after imprisonment, the system continues to punish people like me, stripping us of our voices in our democracy. It sends a clear message: no matter how much you contribute, your life and experiences have nothing to do with it.
My story is not unique. I was jailed four times and caught up in a web of habitual criminal laws that capture hundreds of thousands of people in extreme sentence cycles, including disenfranchising, both in Texas and across the country. The Judgment Project recently reported that more than 479,000 Texans were unable to vote for felony convictions.
When people re-enter the community, we need to encourage their civic participation rather than limiting it. Research shows that votes promote a lasting sense of belonging among citizens affected by justice and strengthen community connections. Instead, we lose our strength, turn previously imprisoned individuals into second-class citizens, unable to fully participate in society.
Too often, society objectifies people who are imprisoned as figures of redeedeemeememable, rather than recognizing people as individuals with real stories, struggles and contributions. When we talk about justice, we must ask: Who is worthy of respect? Who deserves influence? If you believe in democracy, the answer must be everyone.
Terms like “second chance” and “forgiveness” mean that the community is redeemed or restored and the society is free of debt. If the time I served paid my debts, I am not seeking forgiveness – I am seeking the opportunity to belong again. Being seen not only for my past, but for my redemption. Completely as a citizen with acceptance, dignity and purpose.
Denying people the right to vote based on past involvement in the criminal legal system is not merely injustice, but a direct contradiction of the very principles that the country argues to support. If we truly believe in democracy, we must ensure that all citizens have a voice, regardless of their past mistakes.
But in my hometown of Texas, there are key options to support democracy or continue the legacy of exclusion. Senate Bill 631/HB 590 restored the right to vote for those on parole and ended the practice of disenfranchising thousands of Texans who live, work and contribute to their communities.
The Texas Legislature must now act to pass these measures and end the civil deaths of more than 327,000 Texans, including myself, who have been banned from voting while completing their felony probation or parole sentences.
The question is not whether people like me deserve the right to vote. It’s whether Texas supports the principles of democracy, or whether it will keep us silenced. It’s time for Texas to listen.
Robert Lilly is a criminal justice organizer with grassroots leadership. He lives in Austin.
