We must restore the right to vote for people with past convictions+

The right to vote for people released from prison depends on where they live.
Some states, such as New York and California, are putting them back on the electoral roll.
immediately. In 27 states, the right to vote may depend on the crime, year
a conviction or the type of fine or fee that a person must pay. And in Virginia, any person declared
guilty of a crime is deprived of the right to vote for life.

These differences confuse not only potential voters, but also officials.
States that apply laws in practice. Many people who have the right to vote
avoid it for fear of breaking the law, and state how Texas, Florida and Tennessee
harassed people for registering to vote when they could not, including in cases where
What did the confused voters think? erroneously who met the requirements.

But the most serious consequence of not regaining the right to vote after leaving prison is
deprived of this right are millions of Americans who, despite the fact that they are now working,
they pay taxes and contribute to their community, they cannot vote.

Disenfranchisement disproportionately affects people of color,
but also to other racial and ethnic communities. In accordance with Sentence draftin 2022, with
Of the 4.6 million convicted not allowed to vote, 506,000 are Hispanic. Great
Most of those 4.6 million potential voters—nearly 3.6 million—have already left
prison, while the rest were still serving their sentences.

It is likely that the numbers for Hispanics could be higher, according to The Sentencing Project.
due to the fact that the penitentiary institutions provide insufficient data on ethnic origin.

Measure before Congress, a bill to restore democracy.
Recovery Act) would set uniform standards for the restoration of voting rights in
federal elections. The measure, which Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) proposed on May 18,
May describes the right to vote as “a basic constitutional act of civility” and
sees voting as a way to help people with past beliefs
reintegrate into society “which contributes to public safety”.

Proposes to restore the right to vote in federal elections only to convicts
be released for the crime.

Legislation is passed at a time when both parties support
restoration of the vote. From 2018 to 2022, 10 states and Washington DC changed their policies to
through legislation, voting initiatives, and governor actions to allow them to vote
more people with a criminal record. This year, Minnesota and New Mexico passed laws
which will come into force this summer, allowing everyone who lives in
community.

Despite this progress, most states continue to disenfranchise women.
people get out of jail That’s why Congress needs to take action in this regard and take
new bill.

More about Brennan in Spanish.

Author: Mireya Navarro
Source: La Opinion

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest