A bill in Michigan would require inmates to be registered to vote as part of their exit from the prison process. Too many individuals have left prison without being registered to vote. Often their address or eligibility has changed. The two primary areas of confusion have been how to regain the right to vote and how does a felon register to vote. Granting ex-cons the right to vote didn’t solve the problem enough. This bill would include voter registration with the exit process in prison.
The bill has passed the Michigan House. It is waiting for consideration in the Michigan Senate. Few things have separated minority groups from participating in the election process of their community, state and national leaders than linking the completion of a paid debt to society with the loss of voting rights. If this passes and signed into law by the Governor, it would be a best-in-class example of getting something done to fix wrongful thinking from the past. It would help to reduce the ever growing dis-enfranchisement of ex-cons.
This would also stand in clear contrast with Florida’s system. That could still be described as one riddled with confusion over eligibility. And worse, Florida’s system could be described as one that seeks to keep more citizens off the voter rolls due to exclusions and financial hurdles.
Look, if you are registered to vote, you don’t have to vote, but get the choice to if you want. If you are not registered to vote, this is the prime time to do so on the way out the door if you want. They cannot make you register to vote but at least you have to choice. It is easier to do it then instead of making your way to county auditor to register.
No stupid law forcing me to vote will make me or anyone else a good citizen.
What a waste of taxpayer dollars to sit in the senate discussing something like this. What if someone leaving prison doesn’t want to vote? Is he going to remain in prison until he complies? Is it going to be a felony if you refuse to register to vote? In order to be able to vote, you have to be registered in the district where you live. There are plenty of inmates who discharge who do not know where they will be living until they are actually out the door.
I say let inmates decide if they want to register or not. Don’t make it a requirement. If you want to help inmates, how about making sure those that need resources when released get those resources.
One of the few bright spots in Michigan is the fact that they don’t bar any convicted felons from voting except when they are locked up. I was actually permitted to register to vote even while I was on parole for 2 years.
Wait … Is this another “everyone except for registrants”??