Ex-Cons and Voting Rights

MeezDiscreet · #1 08-12-2004, 05:58 PM

do you feel that once a person has served their sentence, they should have all of their constitutional rights reserved, such as the right to vote?

CrimsonTide4 · #2 08-12-2004, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MeezDiscreet
do you feel that once a person has served their sentence, they should have all of their constitutional rights reserved, such as the right to vote?

Yes!! Definitely the right to vote.

StrangeFruit · #3 08-12-2004, 06:16 PM

I believe that once ex-cons have paid their debt to soceity they should be able to vote.

Just wondering, did Martha Stewart lose her right to vote? Or anyone convicted of a white-collar crime?

CrimsonTide4 · #4 08-12-2004, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by StrangeFruit

Just wondering, did Martha Stewart lose her right to vote? Or anyone convicted of a white-collar crime?

GOOD QUESTION!!!

Let's all ponder that one for a spell. . .hell naw she ain't lose it. They probably will mail her the absentee ballot to cell block 9.

She probably will vote for Bush too.

Steeltrap · #5 08-12-2004, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
GOOD QUESTION!!!

Let's all ponder that one for a spell. . .hell naw she ain't lose it. They probably will mail her the absentee ballot to cell block 9.

She probably will vote for Bush too.

Mothra is a Democrat. I kind of doubt she's going to vote for Gorgie Dubya Boosh, if she loses her rights.

CrimsonTide4 · #6 08-12-2004, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steeltrap
Mothra is a Democrat. I kind of doubt she's going to vote for Gorgie Dubya Boosh, if she loses her rights.

oh well, THAT's good . . .

ladygreek · #7 08-12-2004, 09:36 PM

The funny thing is that the law currently states that felons are to get their voting rights restored once the have completed their sentence. The problem is most ex-felons don't know this and no one tells them so they don't go through the procedure (simple paperwork) to have them restored. And we know who this impacts the most.

That is why folx involved in Get Out the Vote activities are asked to put an emphasis on educating ex-felons about this, helping them with the process,and then getting them registered.

CrimsonTide4 · #8 08-12-2004, 09:44 PM

Voter Registration Deadlines by State, REGISTER TO VOTE if you have not already done so. Forward to a friend, relative, etc. etc. etc. etc.

SKEEphistAKAte · #9 08-12-2004, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by StrangeFruit
[B]I believe that once ex-cons have paid their debt to soceity they should be able to vote.

[B]

I concur!

Sistermadly · #10 08-13-2004, 10:23 AM

I thought only convicted felons lost their right to vote, not anyone who's been sentenced/charged.

smlwonderdst · #11 08-13-2004, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ladygreek
The funny thing is that the law currently states that felons are to get their voting rights restored once the have completed their sentence. The problem is most ex-felons don't know this and no one tells them so they don't go through the procedure (simple paperwork) to have them restored. And we know who this impacts the most.

That is why folx involved in Get Out the Vote activities are asked to put an emphasis on educating ex-felons about this, helping them with the process,and then getting them registered.

My mom was telling me about this as we worked a voter's registration booth at a local grocery store for our chapter. Most of the young black men old enough to vote were ex-felons. If it is just a matter of filling out a form and sending it off, I think we should have those forms right next to the registration forms so that it can be filled out then or at least handed out.

CrimsonTide4 · #12 08-13-2004, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by smlwonderdst
My mom was telling me about this as we worked a voter's registration booth at a local grocery store for our chapter. Most of the young black men old enough to vote were ex-felons. If it is just a matter of filling out a form and sending it off, I think we should have those forms right next to the registration forms so that it can be filled out then or at least handed out.

Good idea, soror.
We can't continue to allow ourselves to be further disenfranchised due to ignorance.

ladygreek · #13 08-13-2004, 11:24 AM

Here is what an org. here is doing.

http://www.crimeandjustice.org/Advoc...gistration.htm

Love_Spell_6 · #14 08-13-2004, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by smlwonderdst
My mom was telling me about this as we worked a voter's registration booth at a local grocery store for our chapter. Most of the young black men old enough to vote were ex-felons. If it is just a matter of filling out a form and sending it off, I think we should have those forms right next to the registration forms so that it can be filled out then or at least handed out.

THe ex-felons have to care about voting..not those that just want to get their vote. I don't know how it is here..but people that are ex-felons aren't marching in the streets to get the right restored. I think if they made it a big issue..it would get more attention..cause of course any politician would love this gold mine.

smlwonderdst · #15 08-13-2004, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Love_Spell_6
THe ex-felons have to care about voting..not those that just want to get their vote. I don't know how it is here..but people that are ex-felons aren't marching in the streets to get the right restored. I think if they made it a big issue..it would get more attention..cause of course any politician would love this gold mine.

I don't think its that they don't want to vote. I think they have been told that because they are ex-felons that they can't vote so they do nothing. I don't think they are informed of the fact that they can fill out paperwork and have their voting rights restored. I just found out this past June. They have to be educated to this fact. Now once they find this information out, its up to them to make it happen.