Rhode Islanders Endorse Post-Prison Voting Rights
November 8, 2006
Rhode Islanders Endorse Post-Prison Voting Rights
On Election Day, voters in Rhode Island approved Question 2, a measure that removes the ban on voting for people under felony probation and parole supervision. The referendum had been placed on the ballot by the state legislature and received broad support in the state, including from the Providence police chief, the secretary of state, and a host of civil rights and community-based organizations. Rhode Island now joins New England states such as Massachusetts and New Hampshire in automatically restoring voting rights upon release from prison. Sol Rodriguez, executive director of the Family Life Center, which led the campaign, commented that “Voters have spoken for a stronger democracy in Rhode Island, one that includes the voices of all people who are living in our communities, working, paying taxes and supporting their families.”
Contact Information: zjennings@sentencingproject.org
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