Members of a coalition of congregations from around the metro area are holding a voter registration drive at a jail Thursday to make sure that even those behind bars don’t miss out on their chance to cast a ballot.

Several members of the Jeremiah Group are leading the effort at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna.

Under federal law, only those who have actually been convicted of a felony are barred from voting. According to the organization, that leaves about 400 inmates in Jefferson who are eligible to cast a ballot.

The group has conducted registration drives in the jail before, working closely with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.

Inmates will be able to vote using an absentee ballot, and the group will make sure their ballots are then taken to the registrar of voters office.

The Jeremiah Group says its voter registration efforts are also taking place in schools, universities and churches throughout our area.