Posted on 02/16/2006 9:27:23 AM PST by mathprof
If you can't win elections, change the rules.
Despite warnings from people such as the chairman of Maryland's State Board of Elections that the new rules are inviting voter fraud, the General Assembly has pushed through regulations weakening safeguards on provisional ballots, absentee ballots and a long early voting period.
Not satisfied, the legislature now wants to make it easier for convicted murderers, rapists, armed robbers and other violent criminals to vote. Overall, 150,000 felons would be eligible.
When asked if the felon voting bill was motivated to defeat Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s re-election bid this year, Del. Jill P. Carter, a Baltimore Democrat, replied, "Of course that's the reason." [snip]
Maryland Democrats are not alone in wanting to let felons vote. Last year, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. John Kerry introduced the Count Every Vote Act, which would restore voting rights to felons who had completed their prison terms, parole or probation.
Maryland Democrats are proposing even more liberal rules and would allow any convict who is not imprisoned or waiting to serve a prison sentence to cast a ballot. Similar legislation is being pushed in other states.
[snip]
Democrats appear to be angling not for the votes of centrists but for the votes of the most dedicated left-wing constituency in America: criminals.
Do most Americans really believe that felons constitute a minority group that deserves such special favors?
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
Not satisfied, the legislature now wants to make it easier for convicted murderers, rapists, armed robbers and other violent criminals to vote. Overall, 150,000 felons would be eligible.
I'm shocked. Voter fraud in Maryland?
Oh, they must want to protect the military vote...
Do most Americans really believe that felons constitute a minority group that deserves such special favors?
Why limit it to voting? Why not reinstate their right to bear arms?
"Why limit it to voting? Why not reinstate their right to bear arms?"
That is a good one. I would make that a campaign issue.
I have been a precinct election judge in Texas for 14 years now, that has always been the case here. Actually when I first started, a felon had to be "off paper" for five years, then could apply for pretty much automatic reinstatement of voting rights. Several years back that was changed, and a felon can register to vote the day he/she is free of supervision (probation, parole).
Firarms are separate, can be done, but a different hearing and way more difficult to do. Voting is automatic.
We don't view it as fraudulent, the theory seems to be when the "debt to society" has been fully paid, it is paid. The record still exists and affects felons in other ways, but restoration of voting rights has been the pinciple here as long as I have been in the process.
Felons will sell their votes, in a heartbeat. This will be a good place for Sorros to spend his money buying elections!
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