“It’s a cloak of shame,” Meade said after Monday’s arguments, referring to the inability to vote. “To be constantly reminded, especially during election season, that yes, you’re good enough to be successful. You’re good overcome obstacles. But you’re not good enough to have your voice heard.”
The “Voter Restoration Amendment” would automatically restore voting rights for all nonviolent felons who have served their sentences, completed parole or probation and paid restitution. Felons convicted of violent crimes, such as murder, would not be eligible. The amendment would go on next year’s ballot, if the Supreme Court approves the wording and supporters can gather enough signatures before the February 2018 deadline.
The Supreme Court will decide whether the proposal meets the constitutional “single-subject” requirement and is not confusing or misleading to voters, something lawyer Jon Mills, representing the committee backing the plan, said is an easy call.
“This initiative is rather narrow. It actually simply provides that it restores the right to vote to individuals with felony convictions, excluding convictions for murder and felony sexual offenses,” said Mills, a constitutional law professor and former state House speaker.
