Many issues across this nation are on the ballot this election year. Criminal justice reform is A subject buried under the other matters both presidential candidates discuss. A new poll from FWD.us unveils overwhelming bipartisan support for criminal justice reform. 81% of likely voters back policy changes across the justice system, with 85% of Democrats, 82% of Independents, and 76% of Republicans in favor. This means that criminal justice reform can decide the election. Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are not discussing this enough. Zoe Towns is the executive director of FWD.us. She breaks down the poll information and shares why Americans in crucial swing states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Arizona are motivated by this issue.“Criminal Justice Reform is hurting too many people. It’s interrupting our economic potential. It’s interrupting our potential to thrive at home with our families. It is exacerbating racial disparities in a country that is completely overwhelmed by so many indicators. It is rare to find an issue that has this level of bipartisan support,” said Towns.FWD.us released their poll data in October. Criminal justice reform is an increasingly prevalent issue with the American public because more people want to see reduced jail populations. Americans want to see more formerly incarcerated people be rehabilitated into society.It is a winning issue that both candidates can capitalize on to win the White House. Supporters of both Vice-President Harris and former president Trump and those leaning toward each candidate would be more likely to cast that vote if they took a strong position supporting reform. FWD.us data also reveals that two-thirds of Black voters (67%) and a majority of Latino voters (55%) say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate if they supported criminal justice reform. Both groups believe that mass incarceration causes many of the problems that lead to unsafe communities, such as homelessness, poverty, and drug or mental health challenges.“Black voters will play a huge part in determining the outcome in this presidential election, in Georgia and across the country, and ending mass incarceration matters to them,” said LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter Fund.“We cannot continue the cycle of mass incarceration that has separated so many Latino families and overshadowed real public safety solutions. Latino voters want more opportunities and the tools to build a better future for our families and communities,” said Melissa Morales, Founder & President of Somos Votantes.FWD.us is a bipartisan political organization that seeks to grow and galvanize political support to break through gridlock and achieve meaningful reforms. They believe America’s families, communities, and economy thrive when more individuals reach their full potential. Another intention FWD.us seeks is to clear the misconceptions around criminal justice reform to voters. Details like this are a partisan issue, and people wanting criminal justice reform must choose between safety and justice. All of that is incorrect. Towns say voter support for the reform is higher than ever before.“A lot of the harms of mass incarceration have driven unsafe communities. It has made families and the fabric of the community come undone in ways that have undermined our public safety. It is a false choice to pit these issues against each other and force voters to choose. We need to give them the third option: these evidence-tested, effective justice reforms,” Towns said.Minority voters are making their voices heard regarding their desire for criminal justice reform. Towns explains how criminal justice reform led to massive change in the U.S. In the last 15 years, the prison population has been reduced by a fifth, and Black men are now more likely to graduate from college in their lifetime than go to prison. The executive director describes how voters in this election know how significant this matter is.“I think that what voters have in their pocket is both the experience of the harms of incarceration and the hope of benefit of reform. They should use that when asking for their candidates to commit to them and commit for more,” said Towns.The post Overwhelming bipartisan support for criminal justice reform in election poll appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.