The Sentencing Project: Disenfranchisement News 2/24/09

Washington: Voting Rights Legislation Receives Editorial, Police Support Writing a Seattle Post-Intelligencer op-ed in support of voting rights legislation being considered in Washington State, a police chief and county sheriff stated that reenfranchisement was part of "good law enforcement." Gil Kerlikowske, chief of the Seattle Police Department and John Lovick, Snohomish County sheriff, wrote: "We support this legislation and do not think that the financial obligation should be a barrier to being able to vote. Why? Voting is an important way to connect people to their communities, which in turn, helps them avoid going back to crime. We want those who leave prison to become productive and law-abiding citizens. Voting puts them on that path." Following the guest column, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial board contributed its own view on disenfranchisement, calling the proposed measure "excellent legislation." Currently, the law strips voting rights from people with felony convictions who have outstanding court restitution and other fees which incur interest. The editorial states: "Combined with sociological factors, the current law has the dire effect of eliminating 17 percent of African-Americans and 10 percent of Latinos from voting eligibility. That's shockingly excessive. Legislators and Gov. Chris Gregoire should re-enfranchise those who have served their terms." The Columbian also published an editorial arguing that the time dedicated to the administration of checking individuals' balances is unnecessary. It also stated that the current law was not only a modern poll tax, but also racially discriminatory and "just plain malicious." Maryland: Bill Proposes Eligibility Notification Upon Release from Prison The Baltimore City Branch NAACP worked to help introduce into the Maryland General Assembly H.B. 483, which would require the Commissioner of Correction to provide written information on voter eligibility upon inmates' release from a State correctional facility. The bill, introduced by Del. Samuel Rosenberg and Sen. Lisa Gladden, would also require the Commissioner to work with the State Board of Elections in notice issue. Virginia/Kentucky: Disenfranchisement Reform Being Considered by Strictest States Project Vote's blog, TPM Café, featured an article on reform movements in the two states that permanently disenfranchise all citizens with felony offenses. Lawmakers in Virginia and Kentucky are considering reforming the law which bans that population from voting and requires people with felony convictions to seek permission to vote from their governors. South Dakota: Election Officials' Misunderstanding Disenfranchises Two Citizens "I will never get the chance to go back and make my voice heard," stated a woman who was erroneously denied the right to vote in the Nov. 4 general election, the Star Tribune reported. American Indians, Eileen Janis and Kim Colhoff are suing government officials in South Dakota because they say their felony criminal histories were improperly interpreted by election officials. State law disenfranchises those who have been sentenced to prison, according to the ACLU, but Janis and Colhoff were sentenced to probation, and thus should have been granted the right to vote. "It's hard not to feel like a second-class citizen when such a fundamental right is stolen in such a random way," said Janis. Nancy Abudu, staff counsel with the ACLU Voting Rights Project, said cases such as this one illustrates "the tragedy of what happens when election officials do not know how to administer the law." - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information -- e-mail: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org