Supreme Court Declines to Hear WA case re felons' right to vote

[baby_bear]

I have to admit that I had no idea our state was so backward and racist in this matter. I castigated Florida in 2000 for this; we are no better. This calls for a state constitutional change. How do we go about that?

Here's some snips

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/09/politics/09scotus.html

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear cases from New York and Washington State on whether states violate the federal Voting Rights Act when they strip felons of the right to vote. But with 48 states, all except Maine and Vermont, disenfranchising millions of people who have been convicted of crimes, the issue remains very much alive in the lower courts, and the justices' action did not foreclose accepting a future case.

The Voting Rights Act prohibits states from applying any "voting qualification or prerequisite" in a manner that has a racially discriminatory effect. Inmates and their advocates who are bringing the lawsuits point out that the impact of the felon-disenfranchisement laws falls disproportionately on members of minority groups, particularly on black men.
...
The Washington case, Locke v. Farrakhan, No. 03-1597, was filed by four black men, one Hispanic man, and one American Indian. All were in prison on felony convictions or had recently been released. Washington has stripped felons of their right to vote since before it became a state, and the prohibition against voting by "all persons convicted of an infamous crime" is part of its constitution. The prohibition is lifelong unless lifted by a pardon, clemency or by a sentencing review board.
...
In the New York case, Muntaqim v. Coombe, No. 04-175, a black man, Jalil Abdul Muntaqim, serving a life sentence for murder, filed his own lawsuit in challenging New York's law, which is less extensive than Washington's and applies only to those who are in prison or on parole.

</snip>

This is very distressing to me. I thought we lived in a progressive state. I can see - maybe - depriving felons while they are making their amends to society. But never afterward. That is so highly hypocritical, cynical, and downright racist that it makes me cross-eyed.

I am ready to do something. Will the legislature be open to changing the state Constitution now? We should be setting a positive model for the rest of the country, not giving Florida a reason to keep blacks off their voting rolls.

s_m

[Quill Pen]

1. Whole system's confusingly FUBAR

If they give prisoners free (if not particularly good) healthcare, cable TV, and opportunities for education, why can't they allow them to vote? It's been said before: this is a population that you want to understand their obligations within society, and you want them to feel comfortable holding their stake in democratic choice. This seems a draconian policy designed especially to suppress the minority and poor vote.

In WA, not only must prisoners complete their sentences before their voting rights are restored, but they must also fully pay any outstanding fines related to their offenses.

I wonder how the voting rolls would be reduced if everyone in WA had to settle their library, video store, and parking ticket fines before being permitted to vote. Would that even leave a hundred eligible voters in WA?

I've been a victim of a robbery where the perp was caught, and ordered to pay me the value of the stolen goods (bicycle and accessories, about $300). He was given ten years to pay, and never did. Whoop de do, I barely remember it, and have long since replaced the bicycle. Wherever he is right now, I'm most likely a lot better off. And I still wouldn't want to tell him he couldn't vote.

[Biased Liberal Media]

2. Our neighbor has a felony on his record from 8 years ago

for 3rd degree robbery (breaking & entering). He hasn't paid off his fines yet because over the years it has been tough for him to find a job and save up money. In any case, I don't think it's right that he's being denied the right to vote. He's not harming me or my family...or our neighbors.

[baby_bear]

3. Anyone know of a group in WA that is working on this?

Will it help to write to our Olympia representatives? I will give it a try. This is unconscionable, particularly in our state.

s_m