Posted on 02/07/2023 12:51:12 PM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
The people of California may get to decide whether prisoners convicted of felonies should be allowed to vote while incarcerated in state or federal prisons in California.
The state's Constitution says those serving time in California for a felony conviction must be disqualified from voting until their sentence is complete. But Assemblyman Isaac Bryan — who represents a portion of Los Angeles in the California Assembly and chairs the body's Elections Committee — introduced an amendment Monday that would nix that requirement, allowing those prisoners to vote while incarcerated.
"This measure would repeal that requirement regarding the disqualification of electors incarcerated for felony convictions, thereby authorizing an otherwise qualified elector serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony to vote," the proposed amendment says.
The other qualifications a person must meet in order to vote in California are being a resident of the state and being at least 18 years old. To pass, the amendment needs to clear both chambers of the state Legislature by a two-thirds vote. Then it would appear in front of the state's voters as a ballot measure. A majority of voters would need to vote "yes" for it to pass.
"Democracy thrives when everybody has a chance to have their voice heard," Bryan said. "As the Chair of the California State Assembly Elections Committee I didn’t just feel like introducing this [amendment] was the right thing to do — but an absolute responsibility."
Republican Assemblyman Tom Lackey, the vice chair of the committee, voiced his opposition.
"Criminal acts should have consequences," he tweeted. "Voting is a sacred privilege, not an absolute right of citizenship."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
As if they will be the ones actually filling out the ballots.
Illinois was toying around with this idea. What could possibly go wrong? In IL many prisons are located in rural areas. In many cases the prison population actually exceeds local population. So a gang dominant in prison gets to control local elections for offices such as sheriff, mayor, coroner, etc. Now the gang controls at least part of the local LEO and perhaps even the local city/village government.
Of course California is free of prison gangs (/s) so such a thing could never happen there.
Tbh california voters are already so dumb I can’t think how felons are going to make it noticeably worse.
Voting in California is all voter fraud. The Cabal passes whatever they want via voter fraud. That’s why Greasy is in office after the 2022 election, why the RECALL didn’t pass, why the gasoline tax wasn’t repealed like the majority of Californians wanted, etc, etc.
I suspect the typical felon in the California prison system is more conservative than the average California voter.
California no longer votes for anything. Those that control the votes do.
That’s right, Assemblyman. Democracy thrives when everyone’s voice is heard, including those who reject what are still nominally society’s values, and prey on people who hold to those values. Makes perfect sense to me
Certainly California qualified citizen voters understand that what Assemblyman Isaac Bryan and other California government Democratic leaders “forgot” to mention about letting felons vote is that it weakens the voting power of law-abiding citizens.
Why bother? It’s not like they need the votes in California unless the Dems do manage to get rid of the Electoral College.
Is it a ranked choice vote? Which would you prefer? With options including eating rat poison.
Prison holds 2200 prisoners.
Votes counted EQUAL 8800.
NO PROBLEM
Californians could vote on allowing felons parking meters pets buildings.................................to vote.
Golly. And with the democrat party’s soft on crime policies who would they possibly vote for? And where would their votes be counted? Hint, California State Prisons are generally in conservative, sparsely populated areas. Having a few extra thousand democrat votes would do wonders in local elections.
Good summary. Sadly, I'll have to agree with all of what you've said.
California rewards bad behavior. Actually… California rewards illegal behavior.
Ping
California was not Californicated 30-40 years ago. They used to elect Republican governors. I can think of three of them. Reagan, Dukmejian, Wilson.
Democrat Par Brown was competent. Many of California’s dams and reservoirs and other infra structure were built when he was governor. 8 years
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