Upon release, felons deserve to cast ballots

Kudos to the P-I ("Voter rights: Still citizens," Friday editorial) and to Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander for recognizing the kernel of truth at the issue of restoring voting rights to felons: The right to vote should not be predicated upon one's financial status.

Presently, 14 states and the District of Columbia automatically restore the voting rights of felons after they have completed their sentences. Two states, Maine and Vermont, never take away the right to vote upon a conviction.

This year, I introduced legislation, Substitute Senate Bill 5530, which would automatically restore the right to vote to offenders upon release from prison and completion of probation. It would revoke the franchise for people who violate the conditions of their sentences and are again incarcerated. And it would restore voting rights when a person is released again from prison and has completed probation. Although the bill passed out of committee, it stalled in Rules. I plan on pushing it again next year. Rep. Jeannie Darneille, D-Tacoma, sponsored the House companion, House Bill 1473.

The bottom line: Those in prison or on probation would not vote.

I couldn't agree more with the chief justice that we should encourage the rehabilitation of felons.

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle
Chairwoman
Senate Labor, Commerce, Research & Development Committee

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