Barred Business Has Conducted Outreach to Georgia Voters
The Atlanta-based group has engaged citizens with criminal records to expand participation in state elections.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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Should formerly incarcerated individuals who have completed their sentences be encouraged to vote?
Barred Business has successfully knocked on more than 100,000 doors across 16 Georgia counties since May 2026. The organization aims to register voters previously impacted by the criminal justice system, clarifying that those who have finished their sentences may legally cast ballots in the state.
Why it matters
The organization works to mobilize a significant demographic to influence local policy, as advocates argue that elected officials hold key authority over housing affordability and the cost of living. By focusing on civic engagement, the group seeks to integrate formerly incarcerated individuals into the state's democratic process.
Approximately 40% of Georgia residents have a criminal history, and the organization has engaged 100,000 doors across 16 counties to date. It remains unknown how many individuals specifically registered to vote as a result of these efforts.
The players
Barred Business
This is an Atlanta-based organization focused on community education and door-to-door outreach to engage formerly incarcerated individuals.
Bridgette Simpson
She is the founder of Barred Business who launched the organization following her own release from prison in 2018.
The details
Based in the Mechanicsville neighborhood of Atlanta, the organization advocates for policy updates similar to a 2022 city ordinance that granted criminal record protections. Barred Business is also currently pushing for protected class status for individuals with criminal records in Clayton County.
Timeline
Bridgette Simpson was released from prison in 2018.
Atlanta updated an ordinance adding criminal record protections in 2022.
Barred Business began its recent door-knocking campaign in May 2026.
Political Context
Opponents or skeptics of these outreach efforts often cite concerns regarding the pace of policy changes and the implementation of criminal record protections in municipal ordinances. Critics and some local officials have frequently challenged the scope of advocacy groups seeking to alter established county-level electoral registration procedures.
Residents who have completed their sentences, including parole and probation, can verify their eligibility to ensure they are registered for upcoming elections. This outreach may lead to increased voter turnout, potentially influencing local policies on housing affordability and cost of living in the reader's community.
The takeaway
Engaging residents who have served their time can significantly alter the electorate in counties with large formerly incarcerated populations. By participating in local elections, these citizens gain a voice in the legislative process that directly impacts their path to successful reintegration.
What happens next
Barred Business plans to contact additional voters before the 2026 midterm election.
Further reading
Learn more about local Civic Engagement efforts across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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Should formerly incarcerated individuals who have completed their sentences be encouraged to vote?
