H.R. 59 would secure the Federal voting rights of certain qualified ex-offenders who have served their sentences.
Detailed Summary
Ex-Offenders Voting Rights Act of 2009 - Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility.
Requires the chief correctional officer of each state to inform convicted felons within 30 days after their release of their right to vote in elections for federal office and the date of the next election in which they are eligible to vote.
Provides for enforcement and remedies for violations of this Act.
Specifies that: (1) nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit a state from enacting any state law that affords the right to vote in any election for federal office on terms less restrictive than those terms established by this Act; and (2) the rights and remedies established by this Act shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law, and shall not supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Ryan O-H-I-O
January 19, 2009, 5:17pm (report abuse)This is a cheap ploy to by Democrats votes. That is all. What a crock.
JACKIE
(logged in user) March 13, 2009, 8:09pm (report abuse)IF THE OFFENDER HAS PAID HIS/HER DEBT TO SOCIETY, WORKS AND PAYS TAXES, HE OR SHE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE. I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE DEM, REPUB OR INDEP. THEY PAY TAXES - THEY SHOULD VOTE!
Nikki
April 18, 2009, 8:51pm (report abuse)I agree with Jackie. So many people have worked and fought really hard so that we could all have the right to vote. It is a right, not a privilege that should be stripped away. We're not 12-year-olds who have disobeyed our parents & are getting our cell phones & PSP's taken away. Our rights are supposed to always be available to us, and that also goes for the right to vote. If I'm going to be paying taxes, I should have a say about who is regulating those taxes.
shana
October 2, 2009, 1:16am (report abuse)Look @ it this way..., we're felons, we can't vote, and look who you still have in the presidential seat. Don't you think maybe, just maybe, we might not be as THINK, as STUPID, we are.