Secretary Blackwell: Let Ohioans Know Their Voting Rights

[mongo]

An important aspect of the criminal justice system is that someone who has done their time gets a fresh start when released from prison. As part of that fresh start, Ohio law gives people with felony convictions the right to vote in federal and state elections once they leave prison. However, a recent study by the Prison Reform Advocacy Center (PRAC) found that Ohio elections officials’ knowledge of this law varies widely by region. Alarmingly, the study found that twenty-one Boards of Election erroneously tell eligible voters that they cannot vote while on probation or parole. Forty-three percent of the ex-offenders interviewed in Cincinnati inaccurately believed that they were not eligible to vote. State law is clear about these individuals’ rights – but state election officials’ understanding of this law is cloudy, at best.

The PRAC recently filed suit in federal court asking that Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell ensure that all people with previous felony convictions released from prison during the last five years -- approximately 100,000 individuals -- be provided with accurate notice of how, where, and by when to register to vote. Time is of the essence, as individuals in Ohio must register to vote by October 4 in order to vote in the November 2 election.

Call to action
Urge Secretary Blackwell to act now to prevent the unlawful disenfranchisement of thousands of Ohioans who are legally and constitutionally entitled to vote.

http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/action.cfm?ItemId=17492

Click the link to send an e-mail to sec. Blackwell.
Thanks!

[Kukesa]

1. Done! Thanks for the info, Mongo. n /t

[Kukesa]

2. Thanks for making me aware of this, mongo.

Today I worked a major festival in the Dayton area -- we sold yard signs, bumper stickers, buttons, etc. and answered questions. We also REGISTERED VOTERS.

A young man came up to our table and said he'd love to vote for Kerry but was a convicted felon -- he's been "clean" for over eight years.

When I told him he could vote, he was thrilled, sat down and completed the form.

One more vote for our side, mongo, and YOU get credit for this one.

Thanks.

[cmd]

3. I've had two encounters with former felons

Both have been so happy to find their voting rights have been restored. The right to vote is taken for granted - until you have that right taken away.

[Kukesa]

4. Ain't that the truth!! n/t

[mongo]

5. I have a freind that is an ex-con from long ago who thought he

couldn't vote. That is what his parole officer had told him.

[actappan]

6. "Can't Vote, i'm a felon"

In 1996 A friend and and I were straight out of college, working the Clinton/Gore campaign in Central Ohio. On election day, we walked neighborhoods on Columbus' west side, knocking on doors and reminding residents that the polls were open until 7, and that such and such local candidate and President Clinton appreciated their vote. These are hard luck neighborhoods, poor, African-American, and Appalachian. Every few doors, the person answering would tell us, with some disgust "Can't vote, I'm a felon."

Political Wire has a story [http://politicalwire.com/archives/2004/08/12/the_pros_and_cons_of_felon_voting.html[ from the WSJ on the pros and cons of Felon Voting. It briefly discusses the Florida statutes that prevent convicted felons from voting. The Quotable Quote: "Today, one in three black men in Florida can't vote because of the restrictions."

[Kukesa]

7. Welcome to DU, actappan and,

thanks for the informative message. This sucks and we need to get out the message.

So, why did you leave Beautiful Ohio? We sure could use you here this election season.

[actappan]

8. I left . .

. . . so that my wife could go to school here in the Bay Area - and I'll be back as a volunteer in October.