Restoring Voting Rights of Ex-Felons in Virginia

[nettie]

The below listed letter was sent to me through another organization... I am passing it on in hopes of everyone printing a copy and writing Governor Mark Warner.
All the Best,
Nettie
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‘Today’s Prisoners are Tomorrow’s Neighbors’


[Type return address)


June 24, 2004


Governor Mark Warner
State Capitol
3rd Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219


Dear Governor Warner:
I am writing to ask you to restore the voting rights of ex-offenders upon their release from prison. Virginia is one of only twelve states that permanently denies voting rights to people convicted of felonies, thus forever disenfranchising them from our communities.

As Governor, you have sole power under the Constitution of Virginia to restore ex-offender’s voting rights. Under the current case-by-case application process, people are discouraged from applying due to financial barriers and a five to seven year waiting period. After all, Article One, Section Six of the Constitution of Virginia provides, “that all men, having sufficient evidence of permanent common interest with, and attachment to, the community, have the right to suffrage…” Don’t we want these returning individuals to have ‘common interest with’ and ‘attachment to our communities?

Please save Virginia taxpayers money by doing away with the expensive bureaucracy of past administrations and increase the likelihood of successful reintegration for our returning neighbors by simply restoring the voting rights of ex-felons upon their release from prison.


It is estimated that 245,000 people in Virginia cannot vote due to felony convictions, and a disproportionate number, 145,000, are African-American men. For people who have paid their debt to society through imprisonment imposed by the courts, it seems that re-entering Virginia society should include exercising their responsibilities to vote.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.
Sincerely,


[type your name]
[ type job title]

[TainoSolidad]

Originally Posted by nettie

Virginia is one of only twelve states that permanently denies voting rights to people convicted of felonies, thus forever disenfranchising them from our communities.

One correction on your letter . . . Virginia today is one of only six states that permanently denies voting rights.

I too have writen to Governor Warner. That was sometime in February. But every letter counts. The governor is much more likely to have an original letter reviewed than he is to sift through the hundreds of "form letters" he gets in the mail every day. Thank you for writing to him.

I urge everyone who knows a felon or ex-felon to write to the governor. He is empathetic to plight of those who have had their "right" to vote denied. Please encourage him that he judgement is correct on this issue.

[FriscoLady]

Nettie,

I have already sent several letters out on restoration of voting rights to various State legislators since I came to VA in 1985, but never to the Governor. So, tomorrow my letter to Governor Warner will go out.

Patti