The November midterm elections are less than two weeks away and for thousands of people in Washington, it’s the first time they are eligible to vote under a new law that restored voting rights to formerly incarcerated people. “I was actually incarcerated at 17,” said Cyril Walrond. Walrond spent 17 years in prison and was released on Aug. 1 at the age of 34. “The very next day to register to vote and to vote in the primary, really gave me a sense of connectivity within my community, where I realized that it's not just talking and having all these different opinions, but really, I'm making my voice and my vote count,” Walrond said. Walrond worked toward that day, even while inside prison. He worked with organizations like the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition. “We have an opportunity to make sure that our voices are heard and that we are doing the things that are necessary to make sure all of our lives are being represented. That's what true equity looks like,” Walrond said. Under the new law that went into effect in January of this year, it automatically restores voting rights to people who have been released from prison after committing felonies, even if they are on parole. That means thousands will get the chance to vote for the first time this November. READ THE FULL STORY HERE: https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/formerly-incarcerated-people-washington-vote-for-first-time/281-3120f95e-df8d-409e-a56c-10d880257e8d