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Thursday, March 19, 2015

Cardin, Reid, Leahy, Durbin Lead Reintroduction Of Bill To Create Nationwide Standard For Restoring Voting Rights For Americans Released From Prison

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), along with Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Constitution Subcommittee Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) have introduced a bill, the Democracy Restoration Act, to strengthen communities by reducing recidivism rates through the restoration of voting rights to individuals after they have served their time and have been released from incarceration. S. 772 would restore voting rights in federal elections to the million Americans who are out of prison and living in the community. Studies indicate that former prisoners who have voting rights restored are less likely to reoffend, and that disenfranchisement hinders their rehabilitation and reintegration into their community. Once again, companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.

In the United States, an estimated 5.85 million adult citizens are currently disenfranchised as a result of a criminal conviction. While 15 states and the District of Columbia already restore voting rights upon release from prison, 35 states continue to restrict the voting rights of people who are no longer incarcerated. In 11 States, a conviction can result in lifetime disenfranchisement. Several States deny the right to vote to individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors. Earlier this month, the Maryland Senate passed legislation that would restore voting rights for former felons on parole or probation.

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

They're doing everything they can to increase the dumbocratic voting base.

Conviction of violent crimes should carry permanent exclusion from voting, owning weapons, and in some cases - breathing!

For non-violent offenders - after the complete sentence time has passed - not just what you served for good behaviour or overcrowding....you can petition for restoration - to be heard by your victim!

Anonymous said...

Democrats more interested in power than crime.

Release those people who lost their rights when they took lives, stole others property and otherwise deserved the punishment society dished out. That's what civilized societies do. They weed out evil.

But now the craps want the vote.
Great. Havent' they screwed us enough?

Anonymous said...

Its common sense. Why keep punishing people after they've served their time? This mind set is also to blame for a lot of felons that can't find work.

Anonymous said...

If they have paid their debt to society, why shouldn't they have the right to vote?

Anonymous said...

Had to know Cardin would be in on this. Does he ever do anything worthwhile?

Anonymous said...

1:01 - They shouldn't have the right to vote because there are too many weenies not wanting to take away their right to breathe!

Anonymous said...

Good or bad he is still doing more than you while you whine behind a computer! What is your contribution to society?

Anonymous said...

If their right to vote IS restored, it should only be 3-5 years after they get out of jail and have no subsequent arrests.

Concerned Retiree said...

Bring back the death penalty then and lessen the criteria for the death penalty also greater restrictive time frame for appeals such as a three (3) year limit for original verdict to the last appeal with a maximum of three(3) appeals.
They might even get a job then instead becoming a convict and earn the right to vote.

Steve said...

D, D, D,D, D, D, D, D,and guess what? Another D!

Just need as many votes as we can get, Morals be damned!

This lack of morals is why we vote against Democrats. They have none, and with that in mind, do you really want them running this Country?