Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Restore voting rights
From the RoundTable blog
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Brandon Patterson
Patterson is the director of Resource Development at Virginia CARES Inc. in Roanoke.
This fall, more than 3 million Virginians will vote in the November general elections. Empowered by the democratic process, these voters will chart the future of our communities, our state and our nation with their choices. At the same time, 300,000 of their friends, neighbors and family members who have had their right to vote taken from them will be unable to participate. Only a few will have the chance to take back their rights, and only if they act quickly.
These 300,000 individuals are ex-offenders with felony convictions. Virginia and Kentucky are the only two states that automatically disenfranchise people with felony convictions. Disenfranchisement laws such as Virginia's were developed not as punishment for criminal behavior, but as a method of preventing poor, mostly black populations from voting. This purpose is still being served: 200,000 of Virginia's disenfranchised citizens are black.
These laws also serve to further punish individuals after they have served their time as determined by the court of law. Those who have no concern for the plight of former criminals -- regardless of how much these individuals have done to turn their lives around -- should know that alienating ex-offenders does nothing more than pressure a return to criminal behavior.
There is some hope. While our governing bodies have made only minor attempts at removing this basic civil rights barrier, a portion of the ex-felon population is eligible to have their rights restored. If the eligible individuals have a correct and completed application submitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth by Aug. 1, they will have their application confirmed or denied in time to register for the November elections.
Ex-offenders who were convicted of a crime not involving violence or drug distribution, have been off probation for at least three years, have been crime free and have completed all post-sentence requirements may apply to have their rights restored. Interested applicants may find the necessary forms and instructions at the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Web site: www.soc.state.va.us.
It is important that the applications be filled completely and correctly. Initially approved applications will be forwarded to the governor for final approval. Ex-offenders who want their rights back should first contact the local courts and/or state police to make sure they have all necessary information for filling out these forms.
The key to turning back voting laws is to empower the individuals affected by them. Many ex-offenders are unaware that they can vote again. Several organizations are providing help for interested applicants. Residents of the Roanoke Valley can reach their local Virginia CARES Offender Re-entry Program at TAP by calling (540) 345-6781; residents of the New River Valley should contact the Christiansburg Virginia CARES office at New River Community Action by calling (540) 382-6186.
