"I am grateful to these two state agencies for tackling this important issue, and I am proud of these recent policy changes that will help ex-offenders engage in Georgia's election process," said McLeod. "Many offenders are unaware that their right to vote is automatically restored after completing their sentence, and it is important to provide this information to them as soon as possible. As a state legislator, I am dedicated to ensuring that all eligible voters are made aware of their right to vote, including these ex-offenders that are working to reenter society."

During the 2019 legislative session, McLeod worked with the DOC to revise the 2019 Reentry Skills Handbook to inform ex-felons of their eligibility to vote. The DOC's 2019 Reentry Skills Handbook now discusses Georgia's restoration of rights policy, and it clarifies that an offender's right to vote is automatically restored upon completion of a sentence. The handbook also informs ex-offenders the need to register to vote and voter ID requirements. The 2019 Reentry Skills Handbook is given to each inmate that leaves the DOC.