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Posted with permission- - more of this!
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/mcauliffe-moves-restore-voting-rights
McAuliffe moves to restore voting rights
04/18/14 10:23 AM
By Steve Benen
Given the sweeping voting restrictions being imposed by Republican policymakers in many states, its heartening to occasionally see an official stepping up to expand voting rights for a change.
Ari Melber reported back in November on the often invisible barrier to voting that is upending elections around the country. He was referring to more than 5 million Americans who are prohibited from voting because they have criminal records. In all, 48 out of 50 states impose some kind of restrictions on convict voting, and more than half bar former convicts from voting even after they are released from prison.
Virginia has some of the most punitive policies in the nation, disenfranchising roughly 350,000 adult citizens including a fifth of the states black population.
To his credit, the commonwealths Democratic governor is doing something about it.
The policy slated to take effect April 21 comes on top of years of work to streamline the process, and aims to make the system easier to understand and to allow more felons to petition the state more quickly.
In a series of changes to the states restoration of rights process, McAuliffe wants to collapse the application waiting period from five to three years for people convicted of violent felonies and others that require a waiting period, and to remove drug offenses from that list.
Virginians who have made a mistake and paid their debt to society should have their voting rights restored through a process that is as transparent and responsive as possible, McAuliffe said in a statement. These changes will build on the process Virginia has in place to increase transparency for applicants and ensure that we are restoring Virginians civil rights quickly and efficiently after they have applied and observed any necessary waiting period.
Note, this is quickly becoming a national issue.
Adam Serwer reported two months ago on the attorney generals interest in the subject.
At worst, these laws, with their disparate impact on minority communities, echo policies enacted during a deeply troubled period in Americas past a time of post-Civil War discrimination, Holder said. And they have their roots in centuries-old conceptions of justice that were too often based on exclusion, animus and fear.
Whats more, the issue isnt entirely one-sided when it comes to partisanship, either.
Speaking at Louisvilles Plymouth Community Renewal Center, Paul said he would push for changes to legislation to make it easier for felons to restore their right to vote and own firearms upon completing their sentences. Under current Kentucky law, felons must petition the governor in order to regain these rights.
This often invisible barrier can be torn down. Kudos to McAuliffe for helping take the lead on the issue.
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)Hutzpa
(11,461 posts)a Virginia Governor doing what is right? Why bring Rand Paul name into the fold?
babylonsister
(171,042 posts)towards the bottom.
Hutzpa
(11,461 posts)I see his name and I go all molotov on the inside.
My point is even though it may be seen as Rand Paul doing something in a positive light, I still don't trust him with anything
and I hate the fact that the article shared the spotlight with him.
chuckstevens
(1,201 posts)A Democrat that not only knows the GOP Voter Suppress is Un-American and wrong, but is actually willing to do something about it! Hey Eric Holder and other wimpy Democrats take your cue from Gov. McAuliffe: ACTION, NOT FEEBLE PROTESTS!
mylye2222
(2,992 posts)WHERE was he in 2004, while Ohio was robbed by BushInc . and Diebold, to help Kerry with the fray????????
riqster
(13,986 posts)I don't recall Terry saying or doing much either way on the topic at the time. But the party as a whole screwed the pooch, and in many cases is still doing the same.
brooklynite
(94,452 posts)Beacool
(30,247 posts)Like the many here who wished in 2010 that the moderate Dems would lose their seats. How did that turn out? Yeah, the seats lost by the Blue Dogs were won by the Tea Party and we lost the House. Great long term thinking by some around here.
Hutzpa
(11,461 posts)how times have change,
We are seeing the evolution of Governor Terry McAuliffe, hope he keeps up the marvelous job.
mylye2222
(2,992 posts)mopinko
(70,067 posts)didn't we throw his third-way, clinton loving ass under the bus?
i just cant keep up.
Hutzpa
(11,461 posts)our constructive criticism and pressure could have contributed in him becoming a swell Governor, only time will tell.
Beacool
(30,247 posts)The rest of us were grateful that a Democrat, even a moderate one, was able to win the governorship of VA against horrible Cuccinelli.
spooky3
(34,425 posts)I am pleasantly surprised.
Now, if we can just get control of the State legislature and fix the horrible gerrymandering that has given Repubs at least 4 more US House seats than deserved...
Heather MC
(8,084 posts)Cha
(297,026 posts)mahalo babylonsitah~