Automatic Restoration of Voting Rights: A Top 10 List
Voting is a fundamental right in any democratic society. It allows citizens to express their opinions freely and choose the leaders who will represent them. However, not everyone has the privilege of exercising this fundamental right. In many states across the United States, ex-felons face disenfranchisement after serving their sentences, which restricts their access to voting rights.
Disenfranchisement affects more than six million people in America today. This staggering statistic has prompted several states to adopt policies that restore voting rights automatically to those who have served their time and paid their debt to society. Here are ten states leading the way in automatic restoration of voting rights.
1) Maine
Maine is one of two states (the other being Vermont) where individuals do not lose their right to vote even if they are incarcerated for a felony conviction. Additionally, once an individual’s sentence is over, including parole or probation periods, they regain full voting rights with no additional action necessary.
2) Colorado
Colorado passed legislation in 2019 that restores voting rights automatically once an individual completes his or her prison term for a felony conviction.
3) Nevada
In 2019, Nevada restored voting rights automatically for anyone who has completed his or her sentence for a non-violent felony conviction.
4) New Jersey
As of December 17th, 2019 Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation restoring the right-to-vote immediately upon release from incarceration regardless of whether someone remains on parole or probation.
5) New Mexico
New Mexico enacted new law during its most recent legislative session which restored voting rights immediately after completion of imprisonment or parole/probation period for those convicted on felonies with exceptions made only if restitution had not been paid off yet by an individual before re-registering as a voter.
6) Virginia
Governor Ralph Northam issued Executive Order Eighty Nine which automatically restores the right to vote and other civil rights to more than 69,000 Virginians who had completed their sentences for felony convictions.
7) Washington
Washington passed legislation in 2019 that automatically restored voting rights once an individual has been released from prison after serving time for a felony conviction.
8) California
In 2016, California voters approved Proposition 17 which restored voting rights automatically to individuals who have completed their sentence for a felony conviction including probation or parole.
9) Rhode Island
Rhode Island enacted new law during its most recent legislative session which restores voting rights immediately upon release from incarceration regardless of whether someone remains on parole or probation.
10) Kentucky
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order in December 2019 that restored the right-to-vote immediately upon release from incarceration regardless of whether someone remains on parole or probation.
Conclusion
These ten states have made significant strides towards restoring the fundamental right to vote for those who have served their time and become productive members of society. The fight for automatic restoration of voting rights is ongoing, but these states serve as great examples of what can be achieved through policy changes. It is important that we continue to push forward until every state adopts policies that support this basic democratic principle.