Civil Society Issues — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

Iowa Moves Toward Expanding Voting Rights. But It May Require a 'Modern Day Poll Tax'

“Reynolds has personal experience with the criminal justice system that has made her vocal about her belief in second chances. In 2000, almost two decades before she would become the first female governor of Iowa, she was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. It was her second offense—she had been charged with the same crime the year before—but she pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was sentenced to pay a $1,500 fine and serve 12 months of informal probation.“

The Appeal

February 7, 2019

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesFebruary 7, 2019The Appeal, IowaComment

League Releases Polling Data: Public Supports Automatic Restoration of Voting Rights

“According to a poll released today by the League of Women Voters of Kentucky, a majority of Kentuckians, across political affiliation, gender and age categories, support the automatic restoration of voting rights for persons who complete their felony sentence. Overall support is 2-1 with 66% in favor and 32% opposed, according to a December 2018 statewide poll of Kentucky voters.“

League of Women Voters of Kentucky

January 17, 2019

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesJanuary 17, 2019League of Women Voters of Kentucky, KentuckyComment

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Kim Reynolds to propose constitutional amendment lifting felon voting ban in Condition of the State

“Lawmakers must approve legislation creating a constitutional amendment in two consecutive two-year general assemblies, and then Iowans must approve it in a statewide vote. If the measure is adopted, it could be reversed only through a second constitutional amendment. Though advocates for criminal justice reform agree that a constitutional amendment is necessary and provides long-term protections from the whims of future Legislatures, they've also called on Reynolds to take immediate action through an executive order while the amendment moves through the years long process.“

Des Moines Register

January 15, 2019

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesJanuary 15, 2019Iowa, Kim ReynoldsComment

New bill would allow current convicted felons to vote

“In less than a month, state legislators descend upon Santa Fe to once again to try and change New Mexico law. One of the lawmakers wants to allow felons to vote. Right now in New Mexico, those convicted of felony crimes are able to register to vote after they finish their sentence, which includes probation and parole. But one Democratic Representative wants to change that.“

KRQE Albuquerque

December 24, 2018

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesDecember 24, 2018KRQE Albuquerque, New MexicoComment

Spotlight on Disenfranchisement in Nevada, as State Eases Rights Restoration

“Nevada is one of 12 states where people are still disenfranchised after completing a sentence. The upcoming reform (Assembly Bill 181) will keep Nevada on that list. While it will expand the groups who qualify for automatic rights restoration, anyone convicted of a higher-category felony and anyone with multiple convictions of whatever severity will remain disenfranchised even after serving a sentence. (AB 181 is thus weaker than Florida’s Amendment 4, which was adopted via referendum in November and does not contain the latter exception.)“

The Appeal Political Report

December 20, 2018

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesDecember 20, 2018The Appeal Political Report, NevadaComment

Column: Unless Florida learns from Alabama’s mistakes, voting rights restoration may go unrealized

“Yet the fight for equal access to the ballot is just beginning. With voting rights, voter knowledge and empowerment are everything. And as of now, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner is dragging his feet on enforcement rather than taking proactive steps to advertise Amendment 4’s impact.“

Tampa Bay Times

December 14, 2019

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesDecember 14, 2018Tampa Bay Times, Florida, Amendment 4Comment

In the Wake of Amendment 4: Spotlight on Disenfranchisement in Kentucky

“Kentucky and Iowa are the two states that disenfranchise people convicted of all felonies for life. (Virginia law provides for this as well, but recent governors have mostly gotten around it with executive orders. Other states, like Mississippi, also permanently disenfranchise many people.) To get their rights restored, Kentuckians must apply to the governor, and few are enfranchised this way. Governor Matt Bevin restored no one’s rights during his first year in office in 2016, even though more than 300,000 Kentuckians lacked the right to vote that year, according to a report by the Sentencing Project. That’s over 9 percent of Kentucky’s voting-age population.“

The Appeal Political Report

December 6, 2018

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesDecember 6, 2018Kentucky, The Appeal Political ReportComment

Felony voting laws suppress democracy

“Some argue that taking away the right to vote serves as an additional sanction to breaking the law. Although the criminal justice system was structured to achieve punishment, it was also designed to rehabilitate and reintegrate these individuals back into society. Taking away the fundamental right to vote serves no purposes other than to cause further alienation and shame to these individuals who are expected to rejoin their communities, obtain employment, pay taxes and do everything else that other citizens enjoy.“

Delaware Online

November 4, 2018

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesNovember 4, 2018Delaware OnlineComment

Campaign Finance Board Flubs Parolee Right to Vote Information

“On page 15 of the 2018 Voter Guide (English), a response to whether a convicted felon can vote reads, ‘If you have been convicted of a felony, you can register and vote after you complete your sentence and/or parole.’ However, on April 18, 2018, Gov. Cuomo signed an executive order to restore voting rights to certain individuals on parole. The measure is meant to level the disproportionate impact the voting restriction has on African-American and Hispanic voters. Fourteen other states practice a similar policy on formerly incarcerated people.“

Bklyner

October 31, 2018

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesOctober 31, 2018Bklyner, New YorkComment

Out on parole, and turning out to vote

“Johnson was one of five parolees who spoke with City & State about his experiences with voting, keeping up with politics and negotiating the state Board of Parole.We met on an October morning in Long Island City at the Fortune Society, a nonprofit organization serving formerly incarcerated New Yorkers. Some of the parolees knew each other already, having served time together. Now they were now free together, commuting to their jobs, and coming and going as they pleased.“

City & State New York

October 29, 2018

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesOctober 29, 2018City and State New York, New YorkComment

Republicans Attack Cuomo’s Plan to Restore Felons’ Voting Rights

“Republicans are attacking an initiative by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to restore the voting rights of former felons, holding hearings and releasing a new digital advertisement accusing him of prioritizing sex offenders over other voters.“

Wall Street Journal

October 2, 2018

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesOctober 3, 2018Wall Street Journal, New YorkComment

In New York, Most Parolees Can Vote--But Many County Websites Say They Can't

“But a review by The Appeal found that notice of the governor’s message had not filtered down to the state’s more than 50 county-level Board of Elections websites, well past the Aug. 19 deadline to register to vote in Thursday’s state primary election.“

The Appeal

September 12, 2018

Felon DisenfranchisementPhillip ReevesSeptember 15, 2018The Appeal, New YorkComment

US: The Fight to Overturn Florida’s Lifetime Voting Ban

"There is no greater indicator of citizenship than having the ability to vote, and nothing speaks more to the founding of our country than second chances."

Human Rights Watch

August 27, 2018

Felon DisenfranchisementAnthony BradleyAugust 28, 2018Human Rights Watch, Florida, Amendment 4

When Ex-Felons Lose the Right to Vote

"In the short term, courts and correction systems should be required to inform people when their voting rights are taken away and how to regain those rights. Few jurisdictions currently do so."

New York Times

August 12, 2018

Felon DisenfranchisementAnthony BradleyAugust 14, 2018New York Times