The Sentencing Project: Disenfranchisement News & Updates - 4/26/07

Maryland: Governor Signs Legislation Restoring Right to Vote On Tuesday, Gov. Martin O'Malley signed legislation restoring the right to vote to all formerly incarcerated individuals, ending the state's draconian lifetime voting ban. Coverage featuring the news included an "above-the-fold" front-page article in the Baltimore Sun. As a result of the legislation, which takes effect July 1, more than 50,000 Marylanders will be eligible to vote. Currently, those individuals convicted of two felonies can petition for vote restoration after their sentences and a three-year waiting period are completed. If both convictions are for violent offenses, the voting ban is permanent. "I went to prison, but it's not who I am," said Kimberly Haven, executive director of Justice Maryland. "We still have some work to do in terms of people's perception of what a former felon is and what he looks like, but that scarlet 'F' that felons wear across their chests is greatly diminished by the signing of this legislation today." Colorado: House Committee Strikes Down Parolee Voting The House Committee on State, Veteran, & Military Affairs voted to strike SB 83, an amendment to a measure which would have given individuals on parole the right to vote, the Channel 7 News in Denver reported. Secretary of State Mike Coffman said the move to restore rights would have been unconstitutional as state law defines "full term of imprisonment" to include parole. The amendment was introduced by Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, at the request of the American Civil Liberties Union. International: Voting - and Not Voting - While Incarcerated The federal government last week allowed about 150 people incarcerated at the Birnin Kebbi prison in northwest Nigeria to vote in its presidential election, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. The individuals were taken to the polls via police vehicles in groups of 50. Two Shotts prison inmates in Scotland challenged legislation barring people in prison from voting in the Scottish elections claiming their human rights were breached, the BBC News reported. Their legal challenge was rejected at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, declaring the upcoming election lawful. The men may appeal.