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Ex-Offender Voting Rights
A vibrant democracy seeks
electoral participation by all members of a community and involves
citizens of all backgrounds. Today, however, nearly 4 million
citizens in the United States are denied the franchise by virtue of
their status as ex-offenders. A starkly disproportionate number of
minorities, particularly African American males, are thus denied
voting rights. Nearly 14 percent of African American males are
denied the right to vote. While different states set different
rules for enfranchisement of ex-offenders (from Vermont and Maine
allowing individuals to vote while in prison, to states like
Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, where ex-offenders are essentially
disenfranchised for life), overall, there is a crisis in this
country. We believe ex-offenders should have the right to vote
restored upon release from prison. Studies show that one of the best
indicators of whether an individual will vote is whether their
parents vote � and children of ex-offenders should not be put at an
even greater disadvantage. State legislatures should encourage
ex-offenders to become as involved in the fabric of community as
possible and thus, should restore voting rights and instill a
greater sense of social responsibility. Articles and Op-Eds on
Ex-Offender Voting Rights:
"End Juneteenth's legacy of bias,
in law and practice." Miami Herald
June 19, 2003.
"Reintegrate ex-cons by
restoring voting rights." Baltimore Sun Eric C. Olson and Marvin Cheatham, February 7, 2002
Resources and Links:
2001 Pro-Democracy
Campaign
Includes the Voters� Bill of
Rights, goals of the Pro-Democracy Campaign, and links to other
organizations.
ACLU
Several press releases on the issue
The
American Prospect--�Restoring
the Vote�
Brennan Center for
Justice at NYU School of Law
Civic
Participation and Rehabilitation Act of 1999
Common Cause
-
Not
Making the Grade: A Year After Florida, Little Action In
States On Election Reform- A State-By-State Report Card (Appendix.
D: Felon Disenfranchisement Laws)
Justice Talking from NPR:
�Liberty
Lost: Felon Disenfranchisement� May
29, 2001
Debate featuring
Nancy Northup (Director of Democracy Program, Brennan Center for
Justice at NYU School of Law) and Rob Godbey (Member of New Mexico
House of Representatives) Lawyers� Committee for
Civil Rights Under Law
The Voting Rights Project, along
with the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, and Law
Offices of James K. Green, P.A. (West Palm Beach, FL) have filed
suit seeking to overturn the constitutional and statutory provisions
in Florida which prevent ex-felons from voting. (Includes link to
the complaint.) NAACP
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Re-enfranchisment
American justice allows people to return to society. Why can't
they vote?
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The National
Commission on Federal Election Reform (Carter-Ford
Commission)
The Sentencing
Project
US Department of Justice-Civil
Rights Division
Restoring
Your Right To Vote
(Includes state
by state information) |
