Democracy Needs Us: Building Political Power as a Formerly Incarcerated Person

by Alissa Moore, LSPC Re-Entry Coordinator

I am the first formerly incarcerated person to be appointed Democratic delegate for Alameda County, and the first formerly incarcerated individual to serve as an Alameda County Elections Commissioner. I served 25 years in prison, a journey that deeply shaped my commitment to criminal justice reform, civic engagement, and community-based empowerment movements.

Both of these appointments are historical, marking a significant step toward greater political inclusion, representation, and advocacy for justice-impacted individuals.

Following my release, on the advice of one Dorsey Nunn, I attempted to investigate local political appointments and appointees that I could get involved with. In an effort to give a voice where there was not one, I dedicated my life to organizing and advocacy. Everything I do is to uplift the voices of formerly incarcerated and currently incarcerated individuals and ensure their full participation in democracy, and these appointments emphasized that.

My lived experience gives me a unique and powerful perspective on issues of disenfranchisement, criminal justice reform, and political representation.

My dual appointments as a Democratic delegate and Alameda County Elections Commissioner represent groundbreaking achievements in multiple ways.

Representation of currently and formerly incarcerated people in political leadership of the Democratic party ensures that the voices of system-impacted individuals are included in key party decisions and politics. It challenges historical barriers that have excluded formerly incarcerated people from the political machinations of the state.

As an Alameda County Elections Commissioner, I am ensuring fair and inclusive elections. I bring firsthand knowledge of the barriers that many returning community members face in voting and civic participation. My position allows me to advocate for policies that expand access to the ballot, combat voter suppression, and educate formerly incarcerated individuals about their voting rights.

On the whole, my appointment to these leadership positions directly challenge the stigmas that we face as formerly incarcerated people in politics and government. These appointments are a testament to the power of redemption, rehabilitation, and civic engagement to reshape communities.

I strive to use this platform to:

• Advocate for voting rights restoration and civic engagement among justice-impacted individuals.
• Push for policy changes that eliminate barriers to political participation for formerly incarcerated people.
• Serve as a bridge between community organizations, policymakers, and voters to ensure a more equitable and just electoral system.
• Inspire and mentor others with similar backgrounds to become active in political leadership

My most significant goal is exposing the disparities in Black voting numbers, which are often rooted at the intersection of homelessness, poverty, and former incarceration. I also want to follow the money associated with Prop 17, which passed in 2020 to enable people with felony convictions to vote. It is concerning to me that no funds have been allocated to outreach and education, given the importance of voting for people most profoundly affected by these disproportionate numbers.

This is a milestone in the fight for justice, equity, and democratic participation. Giving leadership to those of us who have been locked up and locked out sets a powerful precedent for the inclusion of formerly incarcerated individuals in political decision-making, ensuring that our voices and experiences contribute to shaping a more just and representative democracy.