I heard that a law was passed recenlty that allow felons to vote. I was tuning in to a Baltimore radio station and I heard this information, while they were discussing the election. Is this true? I can't seem to find a credible source to back that information up.
2007-10-26 02:55:29 · 11 answers · asked by lee 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
It's a state issue, depending on whether or not the felon has had the court record expunged or got a pardon.
Check with the state elections board or commission, they will always cleary, explain who can vote and who cannot.
Every state has an online website.
At the MAryland Election Board website it has this:
Am I eligible to vote?
To register, you must:
Be a U.S. citizen;
Be a Maryland resident;
Be at least 18 years old by the next election;
Not be under guardianship for mental disability;
Not have been convicted of buying or selling votes;
Not have been convicted of a felony, or if you have, you have completed serving a court ordered sentence of imprisonment, including any term of parole or probation for the conviction.
* The court-imposed sentence includes probation, parole, community service, restitutions, and fines.
2007-10-26 03:04:04 · answer #1 · answered by goofticket 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
According to the ACLU, a notoriously liberal organization, 11 states "disenfranchise" felons that are serving time, and some other convicted but released felons who have not met other obligations (such as paying court-ordered fines and/or retribution for their crimes). The ACLU says that In some states, up to about 20% of felons are "disenfranchised", and that 3 times as many Latinos and 5 times as many blacks are "disenfranchised" compared to other ethnic groups. This is all posted on their website.
Does anyone, including the ACLU, really BELIEVE that convicted felons who have not fully paid for their crimes have any right to control your life or the future of America as a nation? Certainly Ted Kennedy and others pandering to convicts to gain their votes don't really believe what they are saying. It's all sleazy politics.
2007-10-26 05:51:33 · answer #2 · answered by senior citizen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Convicted Felons are barred from voting until they have their rights restored. In some states it is an automatic process once all probation is completed. In other states (Florida for one) yu must apply to have rights restored, and can take over a year in some case.
Check with the Supervisor of elections where you live to see what the rule is in your state.
2007-10-26 03:01:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
As far as I can tell, whether or not a felon can vote is a State issue. I have hear talk of some states allowing this but do not know if it has happened.
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2007-10-26 03:19:47 · answer #4 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is my understanding felons cannot vote in federal elections. The states decide individually whether or not to permit felons to vote in state and local elections.
2007-10-26 03:35:56 · answer #5 · answered by momonster 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Each state decides for themselves.
People that are just in jail however, are definitely strongly encouraged to vote. Interest groups will even volunteer to drive them to the voting!
2007-10-26 06:20:28 · answer #6 · answered by girl_dramaqueen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on your state laws. While in prison you lose that right to vote but after time served many sates reinstate your voting rights.
2007-10-26 03:07:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why not. People that should be felons can run.
2007-10-26 03:08:46 · answer #8 · answered by open4one 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not as far as I know.
2007-10-26 02:59:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my brother cannot vote.
2007-10-26 02:59:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋