National: The Sentencing Project Submits Petition to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on Discriminatory Effects of Felony Disenfranchisement
A report submitted to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights by The Sentencing Project and partners examines the practice of felony disenfranchisement in the United States and the nations of the Americas, and analyzes the impact of these polices on racial and ethnic minorities. The report describes the international momentum in support of reform, both among treaty-monitoring bodies at the United Nations and in jurisprudence in a number of countries, and calls upon the Commission to examine this practice among its member states.
Wisconsin: Historic Vote Gets State Closer to Restoration of Democracy
The Assembly Committee on Corrections and the Courts passed the Wisconsin Democracy Restoration Act out of committee this week marking an historic era for the state. The legislation would lift a ban that prevents 42,000 people on probation and parole from voting. Prior to the vote, nearly 70 advocates and organizational representatives testified in support of the legislation at the committee hearing. The bill must now go to the floor for a vote and to the state Senate in early October. For more, visit OnMilwaukee.com.
Virginia: Governor Makes Record, But Disenfranchised Still Waiting
Despite the fact that Gov. Tim Kaine has restored the rights of 3,598 residents with felony pasts, more that 300,000 of Virginia's residents continue to be disenfranchised, according to the Roanoke Times. Gov. Kaine has restored rights to more individuals with felony convictions than any other Virginia governor since at least 1938, the Times reported, but there continues to be a lengthy, cumbersome process that takes at least six months of background checks and paperwork. "That means if everyone who is eligible were to apply, it would take more than 200 years to process all the applications," the Times reported, based on a study by the Advancement Project.
New Jersey: Why the Right to Vote is Necessary Today
Members of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey have led an effort to encourage voter participation by writing about their personal voting experiences on NJ.com. One member wrote about her need to vote because so many others are banned from doing so - including people with felony records. "We also should realize that the struggle for the vote isn't over. It goes on in other countries, of course, but it continues in ours too," wrote Anne Maiese of the organization. "From long-standing laws that take the vote from felons and ex-felons, sometimes for the rest of their lives, to efforts to impose difficult ID requirements, the powerful resist giving voting rights to those without it. Let's treasure this right, exercise it whenever possible, and try to make sure others have it too!"
Florida: It's Time for Advocates to Stand Up
It's time to give people a second chance, Jacksonville Times Union blogger, Stanley Scott stated. His blog post urges advocacy organizations to increase their efforts in order to help get individuals with felony records reenfranchised.
"As this civic and human rights atrocity continues, leading religious human and civil rights leaders, and civil liberties organizations must aggressively encourage reconsideration of disenfranchisement policies."
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