From the ACLU of Virginia...
From the ACLU of Virginia...
At 4:00 p.m. today (Tues., Jan. 15), the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections is hearing SJ 7 (Miller, Yvonne), Civil Restoration for Non-Violent Felons.This bill amends the Virginia Constitution to permit the General Assembly to pass a law restoring the voting rights of persons convicted of nonviolent felonies once they have completed their sentence. As you may know, Virginia and Kentucky are the only two states in the nation that permanently disenfranchise felons unless the governor personally approves an application or issues a pardon.
There are approximately 300,000 individuals in Virginia who have completed their sentences, but still cannot exercise this fundamental right. Virginia's felon disenfranchisement law, which dates to the Jim Crow era, was put in place expressly for the purpose of suppressing minority voting, and it still impacts African-Americans disproportionately This is the first step in many it will take to bring fairness and equality to Virginia's voting system.
Please contact the Senators on the Privileges and Elections Committee to voice your support for SJ7. (Email links below the fold.)
And sign and pass along the NAACP's petition. (Text of petition is also below the fold.) Help guide Virginia to joining a majority of the other states in America in supporting these basic civil and human rights.
Please contact the Senators on the Privileges and Elections Committee to voice your support for SJ7. Click on the Senator's name for his or her contact information:
Howell (Chair), Martin, Stolle, Deeds, Whipple, Obenshain, Puckett, Edwards, McEachin, Hurt, Petersen, Smith, Barker, Northam, Vogel
And please sign this petition!
NAACP Petition
To: Virginia General Assembly
Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Restore the Right to Vote
We expect EX-Felons to pay taxes! We expect EX-Felons to find jobs when released! We expect EX-Felons to become productive and viable members of the community. However, it seems as if Virginia feels that they should not receive their right to vote upon completion of their parole or probation obligations.<!--more-->
There is a process in place to have your right to vote and other civil rights restored, however you must request it! You must be approved!
Non-Violent or Violent felony members may apply if they meet the following criteria:
GÇóA resident of Virginia
GÇóHave been convicted of a felony in a Virginia Court, a U.S. District Court, or a military court
GÇóHave paid all cost, fines, and /or restitution associated with your convictions, and
GÇóNot have a conviction for DWI within the past five (5) years immediately preceding this application.
This bill will only permit an EX-Felon to have his-her right to vote and other civil rights restored.
Civil rights restored would only permit an EX- Felon the Right to Vote, run for and hold public office, to serve on juries and to serve as a Notary Public. It will not permit an Ex-Felon to possess or transport any firearm or to carry a concealed weapon.
HOW CAN WE EXPECT OUR EX-FELONS TO BELIEVE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IF WE REFUSE TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS!
WE EXPECT EX-FELONS TO PAY TAXES AND SUPPORT THE VERY GOVERNING BODY THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO REPRESENT THEIR CONCERNS!
TELL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND SIGN YOUR NAME TO THIS ONLINE PETITION!
I believe that if a person, who has satisfied his or her debt to society, has paid all fines and has completed parole or probation obligations, they should automatically have their right to vote and other civil rights restored.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
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For an overview of voter disenfranchisement in Virginia, click here to see the ACLU of Virginia briefing paper.
Cross-posted at VBDems.org.
"A lot of us don't want to entrust people with a vote to tell the government how to run when they would voluntarily do something they know is illegal," he said.
"It's time for Virginia to catch up with the rest of the nation on restoration of voting rights," said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Kent Willis. "If the goal of corrections is to punish individuals for their crimes and then reintegrate them into society as productive citizens, then it makes sense to allow them to participate in our democracy."
"We've gotten beyond poll taxes and literacy tests, and we've made enormous strides to eliminate racial gerrymandering," added Willis. "Felon disenfranchisement is the last great symbol of the Jim Crow era in Virginia, and it needs to go."
Building a better Virginia tomorrow starts with fixing historic injustice today. This, along with many of Gov. Kaine's proposals, is a step in that direction.