Washington State: Getting Closer to Removing 'Poll Tax' In response to a bill that would remove financial barriers for those seeking to vote, the News Tribune published an editorial in support of the legislation. "Current state law enforces a double standard in restoring the voting rights of felons who've been released from state supervision. The ones with means to pay their court fines in full can vote; the ones who can only afford to pay down their debts bit by bit may have to wait years before they are deemed worthy of helping elect a mayor or approve a school bond. Such disparate treatment effectively makes the right to vote depend on the contents of a released felons' wallet." House Bill 1517 passed the House and awaits action in the Senate. If it becomes law, individuals will be able to re-register to vote once released from state custody, including any parole or probation. Marc Mauer, executive director of The Sentencing Project, was quoted in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer as saying, "People want there to be consequences for committing a crime. But certainly once the sentence has been completed, there's not that many people who think this should be a lifetime punishment imposed on you." . International: Inmates, Human Rights Organization Request Voting Rights Botswana prison inmates in Francistown have asked the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs for the right to vote during the general elections, according to the Botswana Press Agency. The inmates said they are still citizens of the country and should be allowed to exercise their democratic right to vote. Minister Peter Siele promised to consider the request, amongst other issues raised by the inmates. The Prison Reform Trust has lodged a formal complaint with the Council of Europe in an effort to repeal the United Kingdom's blanket ban on inmate voting. The organization calls the ban "an unjustified relic from the past which does not protect public safety or act as an effective deterrent," the Guardian reported. Washington, D.C.: Briefing to Focus on Democracy Restoration Act The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights is hosting a "Briefing on the Democracy Restoration Act and Felony Disenfranchisement - A Civil Right Denied," today from 3 to 4:30 pm at 1629 K Street, NW on the 10th Floor in Washington, D.C. Speakers include Hilary Shelton, Director, NAACP Washington Bureau; Deborah J. Vagins, Legislative Counsel, ACLU Washington Legislative Office; and Erika Wood, Deputy Director, Democracy Program, Brennan Center for Justice. RSVP to Jessica Cooke, [email protected] or call 202-263-2881. Delaware: House Votes in Favor of Vote Restoration The House voted 32-8 in favor of the a bill sponsored by Rep. Hazel D. Plant, (D-Wilmington Central), that would eliminate a five-year waiting period for rights restoration in the Delaware Constitution. Currently, the law allows individuals to vote five years after the expiration of sentence or if the governor grants a pardon. "People asked me why they had to wait five years before they could vote when if they got a job two days after getting out of prison, the government would tax them," Plant was quoted as saying in the News Journal. "Once a jury sentences you and you complete your sentence, complete your probation and make restitution, your sentence ends right there and you should be able to." Virginia: Governor Publishes Public Record of Reenfranchisement Cases Governor Tim Kaine recently published and submitted to the General Assembly a 385-page report documenting his record of rights restoration rights since his election in 2006. The document, "Pardons, Commutations, Reprieves and Other Forms of Clemency," was produced after several groups inquired about the state's time limit for voter registration prior to the November 4 election. The Secretary of the Commonwealth's office set an August 15 deadline and was able to accommodate about 1,000 people in time to register, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. Last year, Gov. Kaine restored voting rights to 1,500 residents with felony convictions; over his entire term, he has restored rights to more than 2800 individuals. - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information -- e-mail: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org