Sen. Paul Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Restore Voting Rights to Ex-Criminals

MRCTV ^ | 02/13/2014 | Monica Sanchez

[thetallguy24]

en. Rand Paul (R-KY) re-introduced the Civil Rights Voting Restoration Act of 2015 on Friday, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) that would restore federal voting rights for non-violent, “low-level” ex-offenders.

Sen. Paul explained,

“A criminal record is currently one of the biggest impediments to voting in federal elections. The Civil Rights Voting Restoration Act will reform existing federal law and give low-level ex-offenders another opportunity to vote.”

Non-violent, so-called "low-level" crimes include:

• Theft, trespassing, arson, and other forms of property offenses
• Fraud, bribery, and other forms of “white collar” offenses
• Drug possession
• Public intoxication
• Prostitution

Whether a crime is considered a misdemeanor or felony will depend on a variety of aggravating factors, such as the number of offenses, economic impact, and so on.

Dependent upon the type of conviction, voting rights for ex-offenders also vary from state to state.

For instance, in Maine, the right to vote is never taken away, even when imprisoned.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Importantly, he did not include the most *wanted* rights restoration of non-violent federal felons, the right to own a gun, if a federal judge allows it. Right now, even with the support of a federal judge, there is *no* statutory process by which gun rights can be restored.

Ironically, many states permit ex-cons, with a judges permission, to have their second amendment rights restored, so this is an omission in federal law.

[mrsmith]

Ex-felons are the campaign “get out the vote” workers from what I’ve seen.
So there’s a multiplier effect from making them happy.

[Jane Long]

That nut doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Like father, like son.

[mythenjoseph]

Look : to be deemed a lawbreaker and be “denied” the right to vote is a serious point. There are SO many laws on the books now that the chance of being charged is only a matter of how often you put yourself in the public arena with a chance of coming across a peace officer. I came across this while in Florida, had an in state drivers license (Florida I owned property) and my “valid” drivers license from my state of origin. Pulled over for running a light and was informed my license was suspended from a non-paid ticket out of Colorado? By the time I had everything straightened out I had accrued a felony driving on suspension charge within the state of Florida. (they have since repealed the statuate)...my point being that felony no longer carries the same weight as it used to...AND... to be denied the right to vote (I served 85’-93’ Army) is absurd and subversive if you look at where we currently are. ILLEGALS will be able to vote ...with no way of tracking their background ...but GOD forbid you get tripped up in a money trap and you say NO...well you as an American should be tarnished forever the ability to influence the upcoming (so called) voice in government. I no longer recognize the “government” that is in place...I go about my life with every avoidance of financing this subversive criminal activity ....if you think I am illegal ?...better nowadays to be treated as one...more handouts from the government unless!!!! you are a citizen . Fk the fed.

[ObamahatesPACoal]

http://www.mofopolitics.com/2014/09/20/mark-levin-rand-pauls-voter-id-law-comments-utterly-outrageous/

Mark Levin, on the inconsistency of Paul’s position…

We don’t wanna put bags over our heads. We’re not drones, right?

…

He fancies himself a constitutionalist…the determining factor on who gets to vote– beyond certain basic federal requirements– are state rules…the federal government does not have the constitutional authority to wipe away state rules when it comes to the commission of felonies.

And just because he believes in drug legalization doesn’t mean that he can then use federal powers to impose his will on the states– when he argues against doing that when it comes to other federal powers being imposed on the states.

[conservative98]

Rand Paul cantbepresident

[Secret Agent Man]

Congress doesn’t give a sh1t what is or isn’t in the Constitution. Neither does scrotus.

[Monorprise]

Bad idea paul most convicted criminal votes go to Democrats.

[sickoflibs]

Heartwarming, giving criminals the vote. Bi-partision too,

Give it to illegals while you’re at it Paul

[NRx]

Well that’s better than I did on my Powerball ticket. I guess I should stick to FR.

[BillyBoy]

>> He’s gone nuts this last year. Wacko. Crazy. Loco. Insane. Bonkers. <<

I disagree. Paul has NEVER been a mainstream conservative. He just screamed "TEA PARTY!!!" so loudly in 2010 that a bunch of gullible conservatives immediately drank the kool-aid and declared that anyone who DARED question little Rand's "true conservative" credentials was a "GOPE" Republican.

>> The only people supporting this loser are IMHO losertarians and low-information/easily duped “conservatives” <<

Exactly. The useful idiot types who think Paulbot candidate = TEA PARTY!!!! crowd.

>> the restoration of voting rights for ex-cons is truly an issue that deserves serious consideration. <<

Only if your objective is to increase DemonRAT vote totals in competitive races.

>> The “Democrat Voter Restoration Act” "The More Votes for Democrats Act". << <<

Much more accurate description of the legislation.

>> Heartwarming, giving criminals the vote. Bi-partision too, Give it to illegals while you’re at it Paul <<

And why not give "serious consideration" to restoring voting rights for Deceased Americans? Is it fair to deny people who have been loyally voting their entire lives the right to continue voting just because they're no longer breathing? George Washington himself would be turned away at the polls under our current laws. Tsk, tsk.

>> Ex-felons are the campaign “get out the vote” workers from what I’ve seen. So there’s a multiplier effect from making them happy. <<

Why is why Rand's bill has an outpouring of "bipartisan support" from the the most destructive marxist Dem politicians.

>> he did not include the most *wanted* rights restoration of non-violent federal felons, the right to own a gun, if a federal judge allows it <<

If he had, the liberals RATs co-sponsoring the bill would drop their support and complain that the gun-rights portion is a "poison bill", so Rand wouldn't be able to obstain "bipartisan" support for his legislation or get any more gushing coverage from the media for being a "thoughtful, forward-thinking conservative Republican". In short, he'd have nothing to gain.

>> In Maine, the right to vote is never taken away, even while imprisoned. <<

No wonder the RATs love Maine so much. Also explains how a guy who agrees with the Dems on 95% of the issues is able to be elected as an "Independent" there. (speaking of which, I bet Angus King loves Rand's bill too!)

[liberalism is suicide]

Considering how elections turn out,it seems downright criminal how Americans vote now.

[Vendome]

And their 2nd amendment should be restored as well.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Idiot!

[Impy]

And why not give "serious consideration" to restoring voting rights for Deceased Americans? Is it fair to deny people who have been loyally voting their entire lives the right to continue voting just because they're no longer breathing?George Washington himself would be turned away at the polls under our current laws. Tsk, tsk.

LOLOLOL

[BillyBoy]

I'm serious. These dead people didn't ASK to be dead. They didn't CHOOSE death. (okay, suicides did, but they make up only a small percentage of dead people and Rand can add an amendment exempting death-from-suicide from being eligible to vote). So we're punishing them and taking away THEIR right to vote simply because of something that is beyond their control. That's heartless and unamerican. Many of the dead people were model citizens before they died and had unblemished criminal-free records. Discriminating against them due to their deceased status is hateful, especially because its criminalizing them for doing what they always did without question when they were alive. We need to add dead people as a new class of victims that suffer discrimination like transgendered people and Muslims. Don't be Necrophobic!

;-)

[Impy]

(okay, suicides did, but they make up only a small percentage of dead people and Rand can add an amendment exempting death-from-suicide from being eligible to vote)

!!!! But but, what about all the drug overdoses, some of them may be suicides but it can hard to tell. And don't forgot George "Superman" Reeves, his death was ruled a suicide by many believe it was murder, you can't disenfranchise SUPERMAN for cripes sake. All dead Americans are created equal!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Afraid so...

[Zenjitsuman]

So Rand thinks restoring criminals right to get guns is good.

[Zenjitsuman]

So Rand thinks restoring criminals right to get guns is good.