Source: Rita Finley at change.org
Why this petition matters:
As an American citizen, I firmly believe in the principle that every individual should have an equal right to vote. This belief is not just personal but also echoes the words of Lyndon B. Johnson who once said, “Every American citizen must have an equal right to vote. There is no reason which can excuse the denial of that right.”
The issue at hand concerns returning citizens – individuals who have served their sentences and are now striving to reintegrate into society. Denying them their voting rights contradicts our democratic principles and hampers their rehabilitation process.
Advocates argue, and rightly so, that reinstating voting rights for these individuals promotes civic engagement and upholds the democratic principle of equal representation for all citizens. It is seen as a way to acknowledge their efforts towards reintegration into society after serving their sentences.
In fact, according to The Sentencing Project report in 2020, approximately 5.2 million Americans were denied voting due to felony disenfranchisement despite having completed their sentences (source: The Sentencing Project). This statistic underlines the urgency with which we need to address this issue.
Therefore, we call upon lawmakers and relevant authorities to restore voting rights for all returning citizens immediately after they’ve served their time. Let’s uphold our democratic values by ensuring everyone has a voice in shaping our nation’s future regardless of past mistakes.
Please sign this petition if you believe in equality and justice for all citizens!
If voting rights are reinstated then it would be with an exception of those on parole or sex offenders, probably for fear of something sexual happening at the voting booth. Fear sure is a great motivator!
Okay, I signed the petition! I hope lots of others will too!!
She is looking to overturn American legal precedent of almost 180 years in restoring the rights for all to vote upon release from incarceration of some sort. You can look it up online, but in this country govt has withheld voting from those who have been convicted as one form of punishment.
“No taxation without representation.”
If anyone is going to be denied the right to vote for their representatives, then they should be relieved of all taxes, IMHO.
Voting is imperative. Last summer my state changed its law to allow anyone who was not currently incarcerated to vote. Previously a person who was on probation, parole or federal supervised release could not register or vote.
Done!
I have gladly signed this petition.
And to all who are currently on FEDERAL supervised release AND reside in the state of California – you DO possess the right to vote (or not to vote). I’m not sure if this right exists in other states, but as to California – I personally called the (California) Office of the Secretary of State (when I was on fed. supervised release) and posed the question. The response was that those on Federal supervised release are allowed to vote in California.
Done.
In Illinois: you lose the right to vote while incarcerated if you are convicted of a felony. If you are on parole, probation, or have fully completed your sentence, you may register to vote and cast a ballot.