Wisconsin: Disenfranchising Legislation Afoot, as is Prosecution for Voting

Nearly 200 Wisconsin citizens may have illegally voted in the November 2008 presidential election and could face prosecution, a state official said. Of the nearly 3 million votes cast in the election, 195 names matched those of individuals with felony convictions, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The election audit comes as the Wisconsin Democracy Restoration Act is advancing in the Democratic-controlled Legislature. The legislation, SB 240, would give residents the right to vote once they are released from prison or jail. The change would immediately re-enfranchise more than 41,000 felons on probation and parole. The Sentencing Project submitted testimony to the Wisconsin Legislature in support of the bill which would move Wisconsin in line with the neighboring states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio which all have less restrictive disenfranchisement policies.

Maine: NAACP Promotes Civic Activism in Prisons

The NAACP in Maine has registered more than 200 inmates at five of the state's seven adult correctional centers in an effort to promote civic activism in one of only two states that allow individuals to vote while incarcerated, the Associated Press reported.

"Having that access to the vote makes a difference. It makes me feel I'm continuing in the loop of the community and society. You feel like you count," said Maine inmate Randal Horr, who registered to vote with the help of NAACP volunteers. For additional coverage, read the Kennebec Journal Morning Sentinel and Colorlines.

National: Democracy Restoration Act of 2009 is Necessary Legislation

"People on parole are forced to get a job. It's part of your conditions. If you're paying taxes, you should be allowed to vote," said Kenneth Harrigan of The Fortune Society, an organization that works with the formerly incarcerated.

An article published on The Grio highlights the importance of the Democracy Restoration Act legislation which would allow individuals with felony offenses to vote in all federal elections. The article states that the current laws have an overwhelming racial impact on elections.

Florida: Cutbacks, Confusion Result in Possibility of Rescinded Voting Rights

Two years after Gov. Charlie Crist removed vote restoration barriers for some, an audit has revealed 13 people had their rights restored despite being ineligible. The Clemency Board, made up of Crist and three Cabinet members, will review the cases in December. Some members are proposing the idea to not rescind voting rights for individuals that committed crimes decades ago unless there were aggravating circumstances.
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Contact Information -- e-mail: zhughes@sentencingproject.org, web: http://www.sentencingproject.org

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