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Tarra Simmons

Gov. Inslee signs bill to restore voting rights to parolees

By • Apr 7, 2021
State Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton, became a lawyer after being incarcerated. She sponsored legislation to restore voting rights to people who have been released from prison after committing felonies, even if they're still on parole.
Ted S. Warren / The Associated Press file

Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday signed a bill automatically restoring voting rights to people who have been released from prison after committing felonies, even if they are still on parole — a measure sponsored by a lawmaker who was herself formerly incarcerated.

Bill giving parolees voting rights heads to Inslee's desk

By • Mar 25, 2021
State Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton, became a lawyer after being incarcerated. She sponsored legislation to restore voting rights to people who have been released from prison after committing felonies, even if they're still on parole.
Ted S. Warren / The Associated Press file

Washington state lawmakers have voted to automatically restore voting rights to people who have been released from prison after committing felonies, even if they’re still on parole.

Formerly incarcerated advocates change their ‘label,’ get involved in Olympia and beyond

By • Jan 13, 2020
Cory Walster, Lewis Conway Jr. and Tarra Simmons
Courtesy of Cory Walster, Lewis Conway Jr., and Tarra Simmons

We all fall somewhere on a spectrum when it comes to political participation. Maybe we just skim the news or vote in big races, but sometimes we're pushed to do more: join a march, testify in Olympia, or even run for office.

Getting involved can be risky, because it's public and there's no guarantee your voice will be heard. Those risks are amplified when you have a criminal record.

Former inmate-turned-attorney to run for open statehouse seat

By • Oct 21, 2019
Tarra Simmons, an attorney who previously served time in prison, plans to run for the Washington Legislature.
Courtesy of Tarra Simmons

A Washington attorney and criminal justice reform advocate who previously served time in prison is seeking to become the first formerly incarcerated person elected to the Washington Legislature, at least in modern times. 

Tarra Simmons, of Bremerton, who in 2017 won a Supreme Court fight to sit for the state bar exam, despite her prior criminal conviction, formally announced her candidacy for the state House on Monday.

Vindicated By Supreme Court, Lawyer With Criminal Past Now Finds She's Campaign Fodder


By • Jul 18, 2018

The past eight months have been a whirlwind of victories for Tarra Simmons—an honors law school graduate with a criminal past.

From Drugs To Prison To Law School, Woman Faces One Extra Hurdle To Become A Lawyer

By • May 11, 2017

On Saturday a former Washington state prison inmate will graduate magna cum laude from Seattle University School of Law. But her criminal record may prevent her from practicing law as a licensed attorney.