Offie Wortham, Jul 17, 2014 If you ask the average person if they think a convicted felon has the right to vote, most will tell you that they do not believe an ex-felon can vote. This is not true. Anyone who is not in jail, and who is not on parole can vote and hold public office in Vermont. The person does not have to file any kind of a petition or seek a pardon. Released felons are not routinely informed of their right to vote in this state, and often believe—incorrectly—that they can never vote again. In Vermont the person never loses their right. The laws vary greatly from state to state. A person convicted of theft in New Jersey automatically regains the right to vote after release from prison, even if they are on parole. In New Mexico such an offender is denied the vote for the rest of their life unless they can secure a pardon from the governor. Only four states (Maine, Massachusetts, Utah, Vermont) do not disenfranchise convicted felons at all. Forty-six states and the District of Columbia have disenfranchisement laws that deprive convicted offenders of the right to vote while they are in prison. In thirty-two states, convicted offenders may not vote while they are on parole, and twenty-nine of these states disenfranchise offenders on probation. In eight states, a pardon or order from the governor is required; in two states, the ex-felons must obtain action by the parole or pardons board. In Mississippi, an ex-convict who wants to vote must either secure an executive order from the governor or get a state legislator to introduce a bill on his behalf, convince two-thirds of the legislators in each house to vote for it, and have it signed by the governor. In at least sixteen states, the only method provided by federal law for restoring voting rights to ex-offenders is a presidential pardon. Read More ➤
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:22:10 +0000