Washblog

A bunch of us submitted to various precinct caucuses. In the Dems 46 LD, it didn't survive the platform committee guantlet. In fact, none of our resolutions did. The whole process seemed sadly undemocratic. Which I guess is the whole point, right?

(Original posted here.)

Automatic Restoration of Voting Rights

Whereas Washington State has the most restrictions on voting by ex-felons in the nation, worse than any other state,

Whereas ex-felons in Washington State cannot vote until after they have paid in full all restitution and fees, resulting in more than 15,000 citizens being disenfranchised every year,

Whereas hundreds of felons who have paid their debts do not get their voting rights restored due to inadvertent bureaucratic errors,

Whereas the American Correctional Association (ACA) has called for ending the practice of withholding voting rights from parolees and people who have completed their prison terms,

Whereas current laws serve no correctional purpose and can contribute to recidivism by excluding ex-felons and their families from the civic mainstream,

Whereas requiring payment of all legal financial obligations (debts) prior to voting may be deemed a poll tax,

Whereas other people with debt are allowed to vote,

Be it resolved that voting rights of ex-offenders are restored upon release from incarceration.