Bipartisan Support for Clean Slate Laws Among People with Records in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan

Clean Slate laws, designed to automatically seal eligible records, are overwhelmingly supported by people from across the political spectrum, especially people who have a record themselves. This research brief draws on a recent survey of 800 people with arrest and conviction records in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan.¹ The survey was developed by The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) in collaboration with Dr. Nyron Crawford, Associate Professor of Political Science at Temple University, and administered by YouGov. Here, we highlight the bipartisan support for Clean Slate laws as revealed by the survey data.

This unique survey captures voices often underrepresented in research: individuals with records living in states already implementing Clean Slate laws. Over 2 million people are eligible for full or partial relief in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan, which started clearing records automatically in 2019, 2020, and 2023, respectively.

The findings are clear: Clean Slate legislation works and has broad bipartisan support. This research brief highlights three important themes: 1) the shared support amidst the political diversity of individuals affected by records, showcasing the broad bipartisan support for Clean Slate laws; 2) the universal challenges faced by people with records—challenges that transcend party lines and impact every aspect of life, from employment to housing to education; and 3) the transformative economic and social benefits Clean Slate laws provide, helping individuals, families, and communities thrive. These findings reveal that Clean Slate is more than a policy—it’s a practical and unifying solution that reflects shared values of fairness, opportunity, and redemption.

People with records are politically diverse, and the challenges of having a record are universal across party lines.

People with records represent a broad political spectrum, and this survey highlights the political diversity of individuals affected by records.

• In Pennsylvania, 32% of respondents identify as Democrats, 29% Republicans, 25% Independents, 5% other, and 8% not sure
• In Utah, 15% identify as Democrats, 35% Republicans, 41% Independents, 1% other, and 8% not sure
• In Michigan, 35% identify as Democrats, 31% Republicans, 26% Independents, 4% other and 6% not sure
• The political spectrum is not just a binary; survey respondents reflect gradations. In response to the question, “In general, how would you describe your own political viewpoint?” participants answered:

Regardless of political affiliation, people with records face similar barriers.

There are over 42,000 laws and regulations that make having a record an ongoing burden for all individuals with records, regardless of their party affiliation.²

People are already seeing benefits from their state’s Clean Slate law regardless of political affiliation.

People from both parties report having had their records sealed automatically, and Clean Slate legislation is already breaking down barriers for people with records in the states that have started the automatic record-sealing process.

Over 1 in 4 survey respondents had ever had a record sealed.

• 28% of Republicans and 27% of Democrats answered ‘yes’ to the question, “Have you ever had an arrest or conviction sealed, expunged, or set aside?”
• 56% of Republicans reported having had their record sealed automatically, and 42% of Democrats reported their record was sealed automatically.³

After reading some details about their state’s Clean Slate law, 43% of the sample, including 50% of Republicans and 40% of Democrats, thought they might be eligible.

• 1 in 3 Republicans (33%) and 30% of Democrats strongly or somewhat agreed they had already benefited or will likely benefit in the future from their state’s Clean Slate law.
• Over 1 in 3 Republicans (39%) and 30% of Democrats strongly or somewhat agreed that they know someone who has benefitted or will likely benefit in the future from their state’s Clean Slate law.

The vast majority of respondents across the aisle support their state’s Clean Slate law.⁴

Nearly all respondents, Republican and Democrat, think it’s important for individuals to have past arrests and convictions cleared from their records, given they meet specific criteria, like remaining crime-free for a period of time.

Two-thirds of respondents (67%) overall, 66% of Republicans and 72% of Democrats think it’s very or extremely important.

Most respondents think record clearance is important to improve individuals’ opportunities.

Clean Slate laws unlock economic potential and strengthen families. Respondents from all political backgrounds recognize the ripple effects of automatic record sealing on individuals, families, and communities.

‍The majority of respondents believe that Clean Slate will be very, or extremely, effective at:

Republicans and Democrats, alike, see Clean Slate legislation as a tool for building stronger, more self-sufficient communities. Respondents also emphasized the importance of record sealing to promote family well-being, allowing people to better provide for their loved ones and create a secure home environment. These beliefs underscore the shared values of strengthening our economy and promoting strong families across the political spectrum.

Across party lines, respondents believe everyone deserves a second chance to contribute to society, support their families, and thrive. Clean Slate reflects shared values of fairness and forgiveness, ensuring that past mistakes don’t define future potential.

Clean Slate laws improve economic opportunities and family and community stability. These benefits resonate with every political party, making Clean Slate a unifying issue with transformative potential.

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Dr. Laura Chavez is the Director of Research and Data at The Clean Slate Initiative and a former academic with experience in local government.

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About The Clean Slate Initiative

The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) passes and implements laws that automatically clear eligible records for people who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free and expand who is eligible for clearance.

CSI’s vision is that people will no longer be defined by their records and will have the opportunity to contribute to their community, have a fair opportunity to work, get an education, and achieve their full potential.

Acknowledgments

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the individuals who made this report possible. Special thanks to members of our Board of Directors,  Daryl Atkinson, Co-Director and Co-Founder of Forward Justice, and Mindy Tarlow, Senior Fellow and Research Professor at the New York University Marron Institute of Urban Management, for their support and guidance throughout the survey development process.

We are immensely grateful to Dr. Nyron Crawford, Associate Professor of Political Science at Temple University, for his invaluable assistance in creating the survey, analyzing the data, and providing critical insights throughout this project. We also acknowledge Dr. Laura Chavez for her dedication and hard work in leading this project.

Without the collective efforts of these individuals, this comprehensive analysis of the impacts and awareness of Clean Slate laws in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan would not have been possible.

Footnotes

^{1. See The Clean Slate Initiative. (2024). “Population Estimates to Maximize Policy Impact: The Clean Slate Initiative Methodology for Estimating State Populations with a Record.” Available at: cleanslateinitiative.org/data.}

^{2. National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction. (2025). Available at: https://niccc.nationalreentryresourcecenter.org/consequences.}

^{3. Respondents answered the question, "Which statement better describes how you had your criminal record sealed, expunged or set aside?" with "My record was cleared automatically because of the Clean Slate law in my state" or "My record was cleared automatically for another reason."}

^{4. Respondents were asked, “Overall, do you support or oppose the Clean Slate or “automated record clearing” law in your state?”}

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