Drug War Issues
Politics & Advocacy
Nearly five million ex-felons nationwide are banned from voting, but that number will shrink by around 600,000 because the state of Florida has decided to let most of its felons easily regain their rights. The move came Thursday, when Gov. Charlie Crist (R) persuaded the state's clemency board that it was time to "leave the ranks of offensive states" that uniformly bar ex-offenders from voting.
Up until now, Florida felons who had completed their sentences had to undergo a lengthy and torturous process to regain their civil rights. But now, all except convicted murderers, sexual predators, and "violent career criminals" will automatically regain those rights. That means up to 80% of an estimated 950,000 disenfranchised Floridians will be able to vote.
The decision came on a 3-1 vote by the clemency board. The only dissenter was notorious drug warrior and former US representative Bill McCollum.
Now, only Kentucky and Virginia automatically and uniformly deny voting rights to ex-felons.
Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.
Comments
Florida Restoration of Most Felons' Voting Rights
Note that Wyoming is another state, besides Kentucky and Virginia, to automatically and uniformly deny voting rights to ex-felons. I never understood the reasoning behind this denial in the first place--what does having a felony on one's record have to do with the right to vote? Aren't these the very citizens with the most and best firsthand knowledge of the problems with our criminal justice system? Without their input on the issues surrounding this system, are we not engaging in "studied ignorance?" In addition, it seems anomalous to deny felons the right to vote, when a felony conviction does not deny a felon the right to be elected as a Senator or Representative in Congress, or as President of the U.S.
What about California..!?
Even though California's votes 'don't count'..
A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL OPPORTUNITY
A fair and impartial opportunity, The one thing everyone deserves.I recently had the opportunity to be employed by a very prudent company in the Florida pan handle, (Mundy) who in turn hires for Solutia. An within three days I was terminated, not because I was late to work, or because I did not have the skills to perform the job duties, and not even for my demeanor. I was fired because of a felony conviction that is over six years old.So, what am I supposed to do to support my family until this time has passed? An with the cost of living rising each year, and minimum wage staying the same. Even the people who have descent jobs are being forced to stretch a thinning budget even farther. The public has no right to punish an Ex Convict beyond what the judicial system has deemed necessary for that person to pay his/her debt to society. To do so constitutes a form of prejudice toward anyone who has made a mistake in their lives. An let's face the truth people, we have all done something that could have landed you in jail or worse if you had been caught. Does the fact of you not being caught make you a better person than a Ex Convict, or does it make you a better criminal? An for those of you who consider yourselves to be Christians,( the Bible say's in St. Matthew 6:14,15. 14.For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;15.But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;) we don't feel that we should be put on the top shelf. All we ask for is the opportunity to work an be paid according to the skills we posses, and given the chance to advance in our Fields for our hard work. If you claim to be an (EOE) than be equal to everyone.Despite popular belief, we were not born criminals, most of just turned left when right was the correct way to turn. The same Ex Convicts that you look down on were and are in fact someones son, daughter, father, mother, aunt, uncle, ect... An their families love them just as much as your family loves you. A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL OPPORTUNITY,no more and no less than you yourselves would not demand. Thank You for your time. Sincerly, Keith Adams
In reply to A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL OPPORTUNITY by Anonymous (not verified)
Society and Felony Convictions
I have a felony conviction that is over 17 yrs old. Yet, in the state of Florida I have been turned down for jobs, housing opportunities have been denied me and no one seems to care.
There has to be, in my humble opinion, some rules for governing, what I believe to be, the blatant discriminatory practices against people who have turned their life around.
I look in amazement at the inconsistancies between states. I also see that no one really wants to do anything about this matter.
I understand that we, as convicted felons, made crucial mistakes. But I also understand that a lot of us have paid very dearly for those mistakes. We have lost the respect of society, our families, and ourselves. A lot of us have made extreme efforts to not repeat those mistakes and have lived our lives, since the conviction, free of any criminal actions or thoughts. But we are not free of society's wrath and it seems that the notion of "clean slate" and "debt to society being paid" is just that, a notion and not fact. We continue to pay for our mistakes, over and over again, year after year, regardless of how different our lives are today.
Thank you.
In reply to Society and Felony Convictions by Anonymous (not verified)
Yes you are right
I understand very well how that goes i am a nurse assistant and license massage therapist. They hold charges for so long on you that it make it hard for people like you and i to survive. They need to put a time frame on all criminal charges and if they mess up again then slap it on them because they know better. I can not get a job in the field i am in because of my crime background and it is not as bad you think. I wish there more people that is like you and i step up and speak out. All of us is not bad people just thing happen unexpectatly. It good to hear someone else voice and opinon on this situation. Be bless it be day thing will change.
In reply to Yes you are right by Anonymous (not verified)
Massage therapist
Hello annoymous! I read this post on a website talking about ex felons and how hard it is to get a job. you stated that ypur a licenced massage therapist? I am currently going to school for massage therapy but I have drug felonies and I'm afraid i wont be able to change my life for the better because they wont give me a licence ibn the state of florida. I was just wondering what state your licensed in and if you have a felony? cause if I could just find one person that is a felon and has a massage license in fla that would give me the ray of hope I need to continue at making it a better life for myself. Please reply to [email protected] it would be so so helpfull! thankyou so much and do what you must to survive we can overcome this predjudice one person at a time.
In reply to Society and Felony Convictions by Anonymous (not verified)
When will debt be paid.
I made a stupid mistake back in 1954, and I spent three years in the state reformatory and I have been paying for it ever since, I tried to get my civil rights back over a year ago and I hav'nt heard a thing from the state of Fl. and it has kept me from getting good jobs,
In reply to A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL OPPORTUNITY by Anonymous (not verified)
TREATMENT OF EX PRISONERS
THAT WAS WELL WRITTEN AND I WISH THERE WAS SOMEWAY OR SOMEONE WHO WOULD TAKE UP THIS CAUSE. I AM SURE THE RETURNS TO PRISON WOULD BE MUCH LESS IF THEY COULD JUST BE CLEAN WHEN THEY DO THEIR TIME---SOMETIME, VERY EXCESSIVE SENTENCES.
I AM RETIRED WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS BUT I STILL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH PRISONS AS I HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS AREA
YOUR BIBLICAL NOTATIONS SURE DO HIT THIS ON THE HEAD. KEITH ADAMS KEEP THIS ISSUE IN PUBLIC.
THE CLEMENCY SAID VIOLENT CAREER CRIMINALS?
I HAVE A ONE TIME VIOLENT CHARGE, AGRAVETTED BATTERY. I WAS INCRACERATED FOR 3 1 1/2 YEARS. I BEEN OUT FOR 3 1-2, NOW I CANNOT GET MY RIGHTS RESTORED. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT. I DID NOT HAVE A WEAPON, OR DID NOT DO ANY BODILY HARM TO ANYONE, WHY CAN'T I GET MY LIFE BACK, I AM STILL WAITING. I NEED TO VOTE, I NEED A JOB, I HAVE NEEDS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. WHY IS THIS STILL HANGING AROUND. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND I CAN'T BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE TO FACE THIS ALONG WITH THE TIME I DID. YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY PEOPLE GO BACK TO CRIME, THERE IS NO OTHER WAY, THE SYSTEM MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE. SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!!!!
felonies
I have a 3rd degree felony. I got a drug conviction back in 2000, withheld adjudication and then in 2001, i violated and they turned that into a felony. The reason i got the felony is because i went to the probation office and i was told they needed me to do a urine test, I volunteered and told them that i was dirty. From that they gave me a felony. I am having a problem getting a good job, even though i have been clean and out of trouble for 8 yrs. Please help me. I have great skills and trying to put my life back together.
Twelve years.
It has been twelve years and I am still waiting. I have one third degree non-violent or drug related felony. I filled three years ago to have my civil rights restored. Getting a decent job is next to impossible.
Eight years and still counting.
I have been out of prison for since 2001 and have completed the restoration application, I don't understand why I have not had my rights restored yet. I have friends who received there clemecy the day they stepped out of prison. The funny things is I dont have any violent charges, I only have drug sales and delivery. I wish my vote would count, especially since I've already done my time.
THEY WANT YOU BACK IN JAIL
Back in 1988 i took a plea, and spent 6 months in jail. Been clean every since, but cant get a good job,I mean 1 that makes me fell like a cant lose this job, prison is real big bussiness they want to make lots of money so they need you and me to keep coming back. Did you no you can kill a person go trial and lose, go serve 15 years in jail and get out and have your record sealed, But if you take a plea or cop out you can never get it sealed off your record. Its a dirty game,they no nobody wants to work for 6 or 7 dollars and hour so they no you gona need to make more money and guess want you gona do? yup you right move sumthing and then it will repeat it self over and over again. Oh yea and most of the owners of the companys that wont give a job cause of a backround, they are the ones hew investing the money for the prisons and they want to keep them full. peace and 1 luv
To vote or not to vote
Retricting one's right to vote because of a felony coviction that has been paid for is both unconstitutional and foolish. I am a convicted felon and I can testify that my desire to vote is stemmed from my desire to rejoin society. If I were still thinking with a criminal mind I would laugh at voting. This law is hurting everyone ex felons and non felons alike. It is putting an unfair hurdle between exfelons and reintegration to society. If I see someone voting I know they are trying to operate in the legalities of our society. The ones who aren't ( trying to obey the law) really don't care about voting. It's not like we are talking about restoring rights to own a firearm but obviously a vote is also a dangerous weapon. Let us be thankful for it and use it wisely.
Add new comment