VOTING BLOCK

 This November 4th will be the most consequential state election in the past 3 decades. The connection between the election process, second chances, better conditions, and progress in reform cannot be understated. What happens at the General Assembly every year from January-March dictates what happens to your loved one. Over the past 2 years there's been meaningful legislation passed at the General Assembly; however, the majority of those bills have been vetoed by Governor Youngkin. There's also a bill like SECOND LOOK (that's been gaining momentum) that would allow someone who has served 15+ years the opportunity to be resentenced by their judge due to good behavior and strong rehabilitation. So, the possibility for progress in prison reform always lays at the doorstep of the General Assembly. The means who we vote for in November is crucial! That starts from the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Delegates, etc... WE ALL HAVE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS!

The Virginia D.O.C voting block was formed in 2022 by our organization to give the families a bigger share on decisions regarding their loved one. Our voting block was critical in the 2023 local elections that shifted power in the General Assembly. We held events throughout Virginia to register voters and stress the importance of state elections. This 2025 election cycle is way more important! We will be using this platform as well as our Facebook @TheForty Strong to give families the best candidates to get more progress in reform. WE NEED YOU! Please check this tab monthly as we question the candidates and inform you on your best option. One thing for sure though, WE WILL BE USING our votes in November!

STATE ELECTION CANDIDATES' BREAKDOWN

Governor's Seat: The Governor has the authority to veto any bills that passes his/her desk. The Governor creates the yearly budget which can also affect reform bills as well. *So regardless of what criminal reform bills that pass, the Governor can simply veto it without consequence.

Lt. Governor: Keeps order in the General Assembly and deals with the bill process in the General Election as well as advising the Governor.
* The Lt. Governor could also have the deciding tie breaking vote on important legislation.

Attorney General: Acts as lead attorney for the state, overseeing litigation against the state; is also the highest-ranking law enforcement
member in the state. * Any lawsuits filed by an incarcerated person will land on the Attorney Generals desk.

Senators: Create bills that will govern the Commonwealth, as well as voting on legislation passed by Delegates. *This is where the bill process starts so the Senator selections are VITAL!

Delegates: Create bills that will govern the Commonwealth, as well as voting on legislation passed by Senators. * This is where bill process starts so the Delegate selections are VITAL!

House Committees: Before a bill can be voted on by Delegates or Senators, it will go through several committees to be debated and prodded for passage. Public support for bills during this stage is paramount. THE COMMITTEE STAGE CAN KILL OR ADVANCE A BILL!

Note: Of course, the process and duties of the officials is more complicated than this simple breakdown. However, we wanted you to know what part the officials play in the bill process. Bills make change, and who votes on those bills matter. Also, anyone (that means you) can write a bill and seek sponsorship from a Delegate or Senator to start the process.

To be a pre- election volunteer please contact us:
40strongvolunteers@gmail.com .

 V.ery
O.pportune
T.ime
E.xists

NOW!!!!!! VOTE

LIFE LESSONS and LESSONS LEARNED

By: Free 40 S.

Life has a way of humbling you. As the slogan goes, no good deed shall go unpunished. No matter how much you think you have life figured out, adversity will come to challenge you. The last 5-6 months have been all that and more. However, it's on me how I respond and become better. I recently wrote on our website/blog The40Strong.com how there's no proper way to deal with family death in prison. It hurts so bad, but you have to suffer in silence because dare you show weakness. With the family losses and challenges inside the organization, I questioned my purpose or if I could keep fighting. Some mornings I woke up not wanting to fight. I prayed for strength and tried to cover up my weaknesses from family, friends, and even members I would bump into. " When's the next newsletter coming out?" would be the common question. " I'm on it!" I would respond with all the enthusiasm I could muster, knowing I was going through so much. It doesn't help that our logo is a lion. Nevertheless, no matter how much I thought about quitting, something wouldn't let me. It would be a member on the yard saying how we had helped him through a hard time, or another individual saying, " sign me up Free, I'm trying to roll with the 40 Strong!" My mother would also ask suspiciously, " how is 40 Strong doing? " I started to use it all as motivation. I thought about all the newsletters, events, General Assembly days, work, grind, and commitment. The fight we put in for earned sentence credits and better conditions. All the family members looking for hope in a sometimes-hopeless appearing situation. With all I was faced with, I just started to use my voice. I started writing the blog to let my feelings out. I met with members on the yard to offer advice and motivation. I completed two newsletters and started talking about this year's election. I fell back in love with advocacy like that first day back in 2004 when I wrote that first letter to the Governor. I thought about every person that's poured into the organization. I've been blessed to have worked with amazing people who gave of themselves beyond imagine. I thought about all the touching stories from our members inside, and those who've returned to society to do great things. So, as I stand today, I understand that life will never be perfect. I understand that adversity is there to make you stronger and better; and I can firmly say that I am stronger and better today. This is a moment in life where every voice is needed. When people are in the streets protesting, we all should be conscious. I know the importance of my voice and it's been this way my whole life. So, I stand today using my voice to give hope and provide progress in any way I can. My love to our members, families, fellow organizations, advocates, comrades, and all who care. When life brings you lessons, remember that trouble doesn't last always. Life's adversities provide the best lessons.

Free 40 Strong Founder

The40Strong.com
The40strong@gmail.com
40Strongvolunteers@gmail.com

I LOOK IN THEY EYES

If the eyes are the windows to the soul/
prison replaced hope with mornings cold/
how bold can I be to live this intently/
questions deafening inside my mental health/
quantified defamation sweeping the nation/
my tears trace the memories of my forgotten childhood/
daddy left momma with the bills and no thrills/
pain replaces the 8-year-old joy of my mischief/
a hug could cure the quaint thoughts in my mind/
only if second chances came with distorted glances/
his eyes are speaking to me in riddles/
as if my listening ear could solve the complex puzzle/
ain't no way love abandons the believer like this/
that hope jumps ship without a clue of counterfeit/
the sorrow of these eyes traced by his souls retort/
and I have yet to say a word/
I'm only listening while standing here/
leaning on the microwave soup in hand/
captivated by eyes that tell the story in whispers/
hearts loss to distorted misery and empty nights/
yet in still, the words have power/
if only to be heard and hopes of healing/
sometimes healing comes without notice/
I see it all in they eyes....