Zakiya Talks to Voters at Harris County Jail

On Wednesday, July 9 at 9 a.m., I joined Project Orange at the Harris County Processing Center to register eligible inmates to vote—my first time doing this work inside a jail. As a new VDVR, it was not your typical voter registration setting and the kind of experience I never expected: out of the ordinary, innovative, and deeply strategic. Local politics needs more of that energy right now.

As we entered each pod, Cheryl introduced our mission to register eligible voters, and I followed up by talking about the upcoming special election for Texas Congressional District 18. I explained why now is the time to be registered and ready to vote.

At one point, an inmate was surprised to learn that Mayor Sylvester Turner had passed away earlier this year, and that a special election is happening to fill his congressional seat. He wasn’t eligible to vote, but I reminded him that his voice still matters—by spreading awareness about the election to others in the community. I found myself repeating that message throughout the morning, especially to those who couldn’t register: your knowledge is power, and sharing it is a form of organizing too.

That day, we registered 16 inmates—and over 40 since the summer began. The experience was energizing and humbling. It reminded me that voter engagement can happen anywhere, and that this overlooked population has political power worth tapping into. It also pushed me to think more critically and empathetically about the criminal justice system and everyone inside of it.

In the future, I hope we get the chance to engage with female inmates in Harris County too. Click here to RSVP for our next Project Orange Open House Session.