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Demeter

(85,373 posts)
Tue Nov 24, 2015, 08:20 PM Nov 2015

Why this governor just restored voting rights to most felons KY

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/11/24/why-this-governor-just-restored-voting-rights-to-most-felons/



Convicted felons had been permanently barred from voting in Kentucky. Until today.
Gov. Steve Beshear (D) signed an executive order Tuesday that will automatically restore the right to vote and hold public office for the majority of the state’s nonviolent felony offenders. Under the order, voting rights won’t be restored to those who have been convicted of violent crimes, sex crimes, bribery or treason. But about 170,000 people with nonviolent convictions could get the right to vote, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, which estimates 220,000 Kentuckians out of prison have been convicted of felonies.

“The right to vote is one of the most intrinsically American privileges, and thousands of Kentuckians are living, working and paying taxes in the state but are denied this basic right,” Beshear said in a statement. “Once an individual has served his or her time and paid all restitution, society expects them to reintegrate into their communities and become law-abiding and productive citizens. A key part of that transition is the right to vote.”


Those currently incarcerated or under probation or parole will automatically have their voting rights restored, so long as they have no pending criminal cases, charges, arrests or outstanding court-ordered restitution. People already out of the criminal justice system have to fill out forms to have their voting rights restored, according to the governor’s office. Kentucky has one of the strictest voting laws regarding felons, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Along with three other states, Kentucky doesn’t automatically restore voting rights to felons after they’ve completed their sentence.

“The old system is unfair,” Beshear said Tuesday, Reuters reported. “We need to be smarter in our criminal justice system. Research shows that ex-felons who vote are less likely to commit new crime and return to prison. That’s because if you vote, you tend to be more engaged in society.”




...The order is one of the last salvos for Beshear, who leaves office next month, and it could be rolled back in the future. Governor-Elect Matt Bevin (R) has previously signaled support for restoring voting rights for some felons.

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Why this governor just restored voting rights to most felons KY (Original Post) Demeter Nov 2015 OP
Great news! n/t JimDandy Nov 2015 #1
Some good news! Wouldn't it be nice if other states did this too? nt raccoon Nov 2015 #2
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