Posted on 02/11/2006 9:05:57 AM PST by Seattle Conservative
Maryland Democrats these days have a serious political problem called political competition. Four years ago, voters elected a Republican governor for the first time since 1966, and Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele this year has a fighting chance to win the seat held for three decades by Democratic Sen. Paul Sarbanes. So the Democrats, led by Delegate Salima Siler Marriott, chairman of Baltimore's delegation, and Maryland Democratic Party Chairman Terry Lierman have apparently decided that in order to recapture the governorship and remain the dominant party in Maryland, they may need the votes of murderers, robbers and rapists.
With the support of the American Civil Liberties Union, Mr. Lierman and an criminal-rights advocacy group called Justice Maryland, Mrs. Marriott proposes to give all felons the right to vote immediately upon their release from prison. If the legislation passes, it would grant criminals the right to vote in the Sept. 12 primary and the Nov. 7 general election.
Under current Maryland law, nonviolent first-time felons can vote after a three-year waiting period, among other restrictions. But state law prohibits felons twice convicted of violent crimes, such as rape and murder, from voting. Mrs. Marriott's bill -- House Bill 603, which has 37 cosponsors, all Democrats -- would end these restrictions. (It needs 71 votes to pass the House.)
>snip
Contacted yesterday, a spokesman for Mr. Ehrlich told us that while the governor is not inclined to support the Marriott bill, he has not decided whether he will oppose or veto it, should the legislation reach his desk. We urge the governor and the Maryland Republican Party to join opponents by taking a forthright stand against this legislative mischief. The sooner the better.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
"Skeptics say that the issue has less to do with "dignity" than it does with cynical political calculations. If the Marriott bill succeeds this year -- it died in committee the past three years -- an estimated 150,000 felons would be in position to be added to state voter rolls, according to Justice Maryland. Approximately 85,000 are likely Democratic voters, the group estimates. In 2002, Mr. Ehrlich was elected by just 66,170 votes, and this year's U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections may be even closer. The effect could prove to be even more pronounced in the most competitive races for the state Senate or House of Delegates, in which candidates are separated by only a few hundred votes."
DemoRATS, involved in efforts to cheapen everyone's vote by letting felons (who overwhelmingly vote for RATS) vote?? Say it ain't so! </sarcasm
Honestly I don't see hardcore felons voting...its just something that has zero interest to them. Now if the Dimwits offer them cash or meth then I can see them standing in line.
With the support of the American Civil Liberties Union...
'Bout says it all.
Democvrat have either tried or done this in other states.
One must look closely with a jaundiced eye at a party that are advocates for criminals.
Chuck Schumer has already stepped out of his bailiwick and looked at Mr. Steeles credit rating , hoping to find something there he can use against the Republican Lt.Governor. Democrats have used Free Republic to smear the Governor with the md4bush scandal. Its gonna get down and dirty in Maryland, and nobody anywhere can get dirtier than Democrats.
Several years back right after it was disclosed that 960 felons voted illegally in Florida and that George W. Bush actually should have won by 1497 votes, I put together a lengthly study of the problem of felons voting. What follows is an exerpt of the report dealing with a logical plan to restore felons voting rights in a slow and limited process.
There should be three classes of restriction on Felon voting. Divided into class A, B and C, these groups are described as follows.
· Class A restrictions will be added to the sentence of those convicted of the top two levels of crime as defined by the penal laws of each state. A Class A restriction bars these Felons from voting for life. Upon conviction of violating one of these specified laws, the Secretary of State will direct the appropriate elections officials to immediately see to the removal of the Felons name from statewide voter rolls.
· Class B restrictions will be added to the sentence of those convicted of crimes less serious than Class A crimes but more serious than the lowest two grades or levels of crimes as defined by the penal laws of each state. A Class B restriction bars those so convicted, from voting for period of twelve years and one day after completion of proscribed sentence of incarceration and any parole/probation time included in the ruling of the original trial judge.
· Class C restrictions will be added to the sentence of those convicted of lowest two level or grades of felonies as defined by penal laws of each state. A Class C restriction bars those so convicted, from voting for a period of eight years and one day after completion of the proscribed sentence of incarceration and any parole/probation time included in the ruling of the original trial judge.
· A felon who registers to vote shall be guilty of the lowest level of felony if this registration is completed before expiration of any prescribed period of voting restriction.
· It shall be a crime of the highest level of misdemeanor for any natural person or corporation to knowingly assist a person barred from voting, by reason of being a felon, to register to vote. Assistance shall mean providing registration materials, counseling, transporting or transmitting registration materials on behalf of any felon/registrant.
The restoration of voting rights process
Those barred from voting under the provisions of a Class A restriction may after a period of no less than twelve years and one day, apply to the governor of the original sentencing state, for restoration of voting rights. If such application is denied, no new application may be submitted for a period of less than four years and one day. If this request is denied, the Felon may make yearly applications at his/her discretion.
Those barred from voting under the provisions of a Class B restriction may, after a period of no less than eight years and one day, apply to the governor of the original sentencing state, for restoration of voting rights. If such application is denied, no new application may be submitted for a period of less than one year. If this request is denied, the Felon may make yearly requests, submitted thereafter on or after the anniversary date of the original denial at his/her discretion.
Those barred from voting under the provisions of a Class C restriction may, after a period of no less than two years and one day, apply to the governor of the original sentencing state, for restoration of voting rights. If such application is denied, the Felon may make one more such request, submitted on or after the anniversary date of the original denial. Thereafter, no new requests will be accepted.
Class C restriction exception: certificate of no disability
In the case of a conviction, defined under a Class C restriction, an exception to the inclusion of a voting bar may be made at the discretion of the sentencing judge. The sentencing judge may direct that a “certificate of no disability” be attached to the sentencing papers.
Under the provisions of this document, a judge would have the power to direct that no bar from future voting be exercised against the Felon. This determination would be at the sole discretion of the sentencing judge, provided he/she is satisfied that good and sufficient reason for excluding the bar had been presented by the Felon at the time of sentencing. In no case would a “ certificate of no disability” be granted to a person convicted of any previous crime as defined by the penal laws of the state; this to include misdemeanors as well. This provision does not apply in cases where the felony concerned is one that in any way involves any form of voter fraud.
You did a lot of good work. Felons voting seems to be an issue nation-wide. Among other problems, we had that issue in the last WA election.
It was Democratically appointed judges that made them convicted felons to begin with.
Therefore, IMO, if this passes, they should vote GOP.
This is all a party in-name only issue. Maryland is as liberal as ever...and the Republican party in Maryland is nearly as liberal as the Democrat party in almost any other (non-NE) state. Wouldn't surprise me if Gov. Erlich signs this bill.
"Honestly I don't see hardcore felons voting...its just something that has zero interest to them. Now if the Dimwits offer them cash or meth then I can see them standing in line."
--- Doesn't matter whether that particular felon votes. As long as they are on the rolls, one of the democratic party's operatives can vote for them, by absentee ballot if nothing else
Democrats are far too ethical to ever do something like that. /sarcasm
"Maryland is as liberal as ever...and the Republican party in Maryland is nearly as liberal as the Democrat party in almost any other (non-NE) state."
Does that include Michael Steele? If so, I'm disappointed, as the few times I've heard him speak, I've been very impressed w him. Loved his speech at the convention.
Don't hang your hat on that yet.
Hey, the Party of Criminals is just working their base...
Also remember that Hillary has been pushing for this very same thing at the national level. She also wants felons to be able to vote.
The howls of "Outrageous!" "Racist!" etc. should guarantee Steele the victory when the (hopefully still available) sensible voters in Maryland react.
Thank you case. Is there a Republican still left alive who doesn't get this? Besides the country-club barflies of the RNC, that is.
Talk to Loretta Sanchez. Not only will that miserable bimbo register a felon, even if not a citizen, she will then invent and register an entire family of voters for him.
This is what modern technology has done for the Democrat Party. Whereas Lyndon B. Johnson could be elected by dead Mexicans, Loretta Sanchez and other Democrats in creative California (and of course everywhere else) can be elected by completely imaginary Mexicans.
Wake up.
She's not only evil, but conniving...she knows how she would win. Plus, how else could Bill vote for her?
Maryland has been electing them for a long time. May as well let tehm vote for tehmselves.
Of course, with all the fraudulent voters on the rolls, the felons have probably been voting all this time.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
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