Simplified process to allow felons to regain voting rights fails
They believe one reason the measure did not pass was because many of their colleagues misunderstood the bill, which passed overwhelmingly in the Senate earlier this month.
“I think that every newspaper in this state has endorsed the bill,” said Speaker Pro Tem Lois DeBerry, D-Memphis. “I don’t know whether people got enough information about the bill. We’re hoping we can bring it back, discuss it some more, and try to get enough votes to pass it.”
Critics of the current system say the process is cumbersome because whether an individual can vote depends on the circumstances and the year the crime was committed.
For instance, if someone was convicted of a crime on June 30, 1986, there’s one process for regaining voting rights but a totally different process for a person convicted a day later.
The bill would allow individuals who have been granted final release from prison or supervision by the board of probation and parole to receive restoration of citizenship rights by way of a certificate.
Gov. Phil Bredesen has said he’d like to see “probationary periods completed.”
The legislation would prohibit restoration of voting rights for persons convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, a felony sexual offense, treason or voter fraud.
House sponsor Larry Turner, D-Memphis, said he was told he’d get more votes if he outlined who “wouldn’t be able to vote under the bill.”
“And I did that,” Turner said. “But I know the makeup of this Legislature, and I know their mind-set.”
Forty-six states and the District of Columbia have laws depriving inmates of the right to vote to some extent. In more than a dozen states, ex-offenders who have fully served their sentences can be disenfranchised for life.
Nationwide, about 4.7 million people are ineligible to vote because of a felony conviction, according to The Sentencing Project, an advocacy group in Washington.
Under Tennessee’s bill, felons also would have to pay all restitution as ordered by the court before being able to vote. But one lawmaker said restoration of rights should also be contingent on full payment of court fees, and not just restitution to victims.
“If they haven’t fully paid their debt to society, then they shouldn’t get their rights back,” said Rep. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, one of the many Republicans who voted against the bill.
On Tuesday, lawmakers will have the opportunity to vote on a “motion to reject,” which Turner said “rejects the possibility of calling the bill back up.” If the motion prevails, the bill can’t be revived this session or next year.
Supporters of the bill hope that doesn’t happen.
“It’s in the best interest of our society to reintegrate ex-felons into our community,” said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee. “Restoring a person’s right to vote allows them to become a contributing member of society.”
Sen. Joe Haynes, D-Goodlettsville, said time served and restitution should be punishment enough.
“I believe after they’ve paid their debt to society, and returned to being good citizens, that they should have the opportunity to vote,” he said.
———
On the Net:
Read HB1722/SB1678 at http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/