Posted on 03/11/2005 10:37:19 AM PST by QQQQQ
A coalition of liberal groups is hailing the state of Nebraska for restoring the voting rights of felons.
Although Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, a Republican, vetoed the bill on Wednesday, the state's unicameral legislature overrode his veto on Thursday by a 36-11 vote (six votes more than the 30 needed for an override).
The new law will automatically restore the voting rights of Nebraska felons two years after they complete their prison sentences or meet the terms of their parole or probation.
Right now, it takes a pardon to restore voting rights in Nebraska, but pardons aren't granted until at least ten years after a sentence is completed.
The new law is expected to affect thousands of former convicts, beginning in September.
"This is yet another great win for our democracy and the movement to end felony disfranchisement across the country," said Rashad Robinson of the Right to Vote Campaign, which assisted in the effort to let Nebraska felons vote.
The Right to Vote Campaign - a coalition that includes the ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, People for the America Way and three other organizations -- said Nebraska now joins 36 other states in allowing people with felony convictions to vote.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
This is an outrage - but I guess the Dems are running out of voters.
The Dem party -- the party preferred by felons. What does that tell you?
They also get big numbers from mental hospitals and care facilities. They have been very good at harvesting those mail-in ballots. And, of course, we can never get the dead voters from them. They will have those forever.
I think most everyone deserves a second chance. People make mistakes, especially in their younger life. America is all about second chances.
I would not assume all of them are going to vote Democratic.
I wouldn't worry too much about Nebraska becoming a democratic stronghold.
Alriiiight!
Same arguments can be used to restore firearms rights to (non-violent) felons. I'm sure they'll hop right on that.
The article said there are 36 states, which allow felons to vote.
And you should be glad that this felon lives in one of them or Bush wouldn't have gotten my vote.
People can straighten themselves out, but they don't need to have the right to vote.
Next you'll be telling us that people shouldn't be put in jail for their first felony offense, give them another chance...
Will these very same theiving RATS also try to give them their 2nd Amendment rights back? Yeah, riiiiiight.
No, I won't be telling you that. Every case is different.
Does anyone know the other 35 states?
I don't agree that felons should lose the right to vote forever. If they are out of jail, haven't they paid their debt to society? And if they haven't paid their debt, why are they out of jail?
Considering all the ludicrous crap that can lead to a felony conviction, I'm not too upset about this.
Yet another victory in the leftist onslaught against the US. Now a coven of black-robed mullahs in Washington can discern a "growing plurality" among the states for felons to vote. Only a matter of time.
I have 2 cousins who have both been in prison many times, mostly for drugs, alcohol and repeat parole violations and I definately wouldn't want these guys voting, even for dog catcher.
They're both irresponsible, immature lunatics.
Both big "liberals" and Democrats of course.
Being jailed isn't paying a "debt to society". It's punishment. Just like a loss of voting rights.
This case is the same, allowing felons to vote in two years without being pardoned is the first step. Then it will go to one, then none, then felons will be allowed to vote while in prison. It is only a matter of time.
Thanks democrats, thanks a lot. /Sarcasm OFF
Mine was drunk driving. Given some of the talk about getting drunk in this forum sometimes I think it's a pretty fair bet there are a lot of future felons here as well as former.
I have to disagree on this topic. What happens if someone beaks into a family's home and the father beats the intruder to death. That father is then convicted of a felony for using excessive force. Is he to lose his voting rights upon completing his sentence?
How about all of you people out there that drive after a few drinks with your buddies. It's pure luck that you haven't been busted for a DUI..which is a felony. Are you now ineligible to vote for the rest of your life?
I don't think anyone, save God (death), has the right to take away anotehr person's vote. I know that this may lean towards Dems, but what is right is right. It is not right for any of us to take away a person's right to vote when that person has served their punishment and paid their debt to society.
I think people who are incarcerated do not get to vote. You have lost your rights while you are serving your sentence. But once you have paid your debt (which the people have decided), then you get your right to vote back.
Now the obvious retort is, "oh it's okay for a murderer to get to vote". Well, if someone has committed that heinous of a crime, then they should have a sentence that prevents them from voting.
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