National: "Abandon Felon Disenfranchisement Policies"
University of Washington criminologist Robert Crutchfield argues that "In a nation that continues to have criminogenic inequalities (in education, housing, and employment) and, as a result, substantial disparity in criminal involvement and sanctioning, [felony disenfranchisement policies are] unfair and unjust." Writing in the journal, Criminology and Public Policy, (November 2007), Crutchfield examines the impact of drug and sentencing policies, concluding that "African Americans are disproportionately at risk for felony conviction and, consequently, for felon disenfranchisement." He further argues that since these policies have no positive benefits for individuals or communities, they are "anti-democratic and should be abolished."
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) is seeking legislation that would require states to allow formerly incarcerated individuals to vote in federal elections upon release from prison. According to the Associated Press, Ellison introduced re-enfranchisement legislation earlier in his career while in the Minnesota Legislature. "Allowing felons to vote signals our value on redemption," he said. "We should believe in second chances. I can think of very few things that are more public-spirited than voting. I don't think there's any real good reason to deny you the right to vote once you're in, but, once you're out and you can vote - that would be a system that would make sense to me."
Wisconsin: Audit Finds 1,500 Eligible Citizens Not Allowed to Vote in 2006
During an audit this week, the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau reported that of 35,000 formerly incarcerated individuals listed on an ineligible voter list, about 4.4 percent, or 1,537 citizens, likely would have been eligible to vote in elections held in 2006, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. "Those names shouldn't have been on the list. I can't say that they went to the polls and were turned away. We don't know that," state auditor Jan Mueller said. Sen. Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa) who serves as audit committee co-chairman said the oversight "effectively disenfranchised" potential voters.
Kentucky: Legislation in the Works for Disenfranchised Kentuckians
A committee representing the State Government Task Force on Elections met this week to discuss re- enfranchisement legislation filed by Democratic Representative Darryl Owens for the upcoming General Assembly. Formerly incarcerated citizens testified in support of the legislation while Kentucky Senator Julian Carroll and Reps. Mike Cherry, Mike Harmon and Melvin Hensley offered their support. See more at Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.
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