Thanks to Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-Va.) 200000 convicted felons in the state of Virginia may now register to vote.
Writes The Washington Post The change applies to all felons who have completed their sentences and been released from supervised probation or parole. The Democratic governors decision particularly affects black residents of Virginia: 1 in 4 African Americans in the state has been permanently banned from voting because of laws restricting the rights of those with convictions.
McAuliffes executive order also allows felons including rapists and murderers to run for public office serve on a jury and become a notary public. I can just visualize the campaign slogan now: Vote for me. Ive already done time.
Republicans are outraged of course. Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell said: The singular purpose of Terry McAuliffes governorship is to elect Hillary Clinton president of the United States. This office has always been a stepping stone to a job in Hillary Clintons cabinet. Its an accusation McAuliffe vehemently denies.
Hillary Clinton tweeted Proud of my friend (at)GovernorVA for continuing to break down barriers to voting. -- H.
After many years as a Republican or red state Virginia more recently has become a swing state and important to Democrats for winning the presidency. Just as former slaves in Virginia and elsewhere were loyal to Republicans for many years after Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation it is likely that many of these felons will become reliable Democratic voters. Maybe Democrats will next figure out a way to hand illegal immigrants crossing our southern border the right to vote.
McAuliffe a prolific fundraiser for the Clintons appears to be as loyal to them as a familys faithful golden retriever. He has raised millions for them and for the Democratic National Committee. For a good account of McAuliffes fundraising antics and other financial dealings visit the website counterpunch.org.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures In 38 states and the District of Columbia most ex-felons automatically gain the right to vote upon the completion of their sentence. In liberal Maine and Vermont convicted felons may cast their ballots while in prison and are never disenfranchised. Most states require ex-convicts to apply to have their voting rights restored. Many factors go into the decision including the nature of the crime. It is not always automatic.
In his book The Virginia Constitution John J. Dinan writes: Virginias felon disenfranchisement provision ... has been challenged in several cases but sustained in each instance. In 1982 Virginia voters rejected a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would have allowed convicted felons to vote. As recently as 2004 notes Dinan a constitutional amendment to automatically restore felons voting rights after the completion of their sentences was considered by the General Assembly but failed to achieve a majority in either the House or Senate.
Societies going back to Greek and Roman times have disenfranchised convicted criminals because they regarded such actions as part of their punishment. There was also a sense that not allowing convicted felons to vote might when combined with other forms of punishment serve as a deterrent to crime.
Republicans have long accused Democrats of election shenanigans. i.e. Mickey Mouses name showing up on registration lists voters giving nonexistent addresses some voting more than once. And lets not forget what I call the cemetery vote or the ultimate absentee ballot where the dead get to vote.
In an interview following McAuliffes announcement Speaker Howell suggested legal action might be taken. There isnt much time between now and November and the Republican majority legislature is not even in session. Legal action would be difficult.
If Hillary Clinton wins the presidency and the votes of Virginia felons prove decisive cheating and voter cynicism will plunge to new depths. Most people probably think politics cant get any dirtier. McAuliffes action shows they are wrong.
Thanks to Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-Va.) 200000 convicted felons in the state of Virginia may now register to vote.
Writes The Washington Post The change applies to all felons who have completed their sentences and been released from supervised probation or parole. The Democratic governors decision particularly affects black residents of Virginia: 1 in 4 African Americans in the state has been permanently banned from voting because of laws restricting the rights of those with convictions.
McAuliffes executive order also allows felons including rapists and murderers to run for public office serve on a jury and become a notary public. I can just visualize the campaign slogan now: Vote for me. Ive already done time.
Republicans are outraged of course. Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell said: The singular purpose of Terry McAuliffes governorship is to elect Hillary Clinton president of the United States. This office has always been a stepping stone to a job in Hillary Clintons cabinet. Its an accusation McAuliffe vehemently denies.
Hillary Clinton tweeted Proud of my friend (at)GovernorVA for continuing to break down barriers to voting. -- H.
After many years as a Republican or red state Virginia more recently has become a swing state and important to Democrats for winning the presidency. Just as former slaves in Virginia and elsewhere were loyal to Republicans for many years after Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation it is likely that many of these felons will become reliable Democratic voters. Maybe Democrats will next figure out a way to hand illegal immigrants crossing our southern border the right to vote.
McAuliffe a prolific fundraiser for the Clintons appears to be as loyal to them as a familys faithful golden retriever. He has raised millions for them and for the Democratic National Committee. For a good account of McAuliffes fundraising antics and other financial dealings visit the website counterpunch.org.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures In 38 states and the District of Columbia most ex-felons automatically gain the right to vote upon the completion of their sentence. In liberal Maine and Vermont convicted felons may cast their ballots while in prison and are never disenfranchised. Most states require ex-convicts to apply to have their voting rights restored. Many factors go into the decision including the nature of the crime. It is not always automatic.
In his book The Virginia Constitution John J. Dinan writes: Virginias felon disenfranchisement provision ... has been challenged in several cases but sustained in each instance. In 1982 Virginia voters rejected a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would have allowed convicted felons to vote. As recently as 2004 notes Dinan a constitutional amendment to automatically restore felons voting rights after the completion of their sentences was considered by the General Assembly but failed to achieve a majority in either the House or Senate.
Societies going back to Greek and Roman times have disenfranchised convicted criminals because they regarded such actions as part of their punishment. There was also a sense that not allowing convicted felons to vote might when combined with other forms of punishment serve as a deterrent to crime.
Republicans have long accused Democrats of election shenanigans. i.e. Mickey Mouses name showing up on registration lists voters giving nonexistent addresses some voting more than once. And lets not forget what I call the cemetery vote or the ultimate absentee ballot where the dead get to vote.
In an interview following McAuliffes announcement Speaker Howell suggested legal action might be taken. There isnt much time between now and November and the Republican majority legislature is not even in session. Legal action would be difficult.
If Hillary Clinton wins the presidency and the votes of Virginia felons prove decisive cheating and voter cynicism will plunge to new depths. Most people probably think politics cant get any dirtier. McAuliffes action shows they are wrong.
