A VOTE FOR EX-OFFENDERS

In passing legislation that eases the restoration of voting rights
for ex-offenders, the General Assembly has endorsed fairness and
justice.Tennessee laws governing restoration of voting rights to
former offenders have been indefensibly complex. Those who were
convicted of a felony after 1981 permanently lost their voting rights.

Those convicted between Jan. 15 1973 and May 17, 1981 can vote
whether they are in prison or not. For those convicted before 1973,
restoration of voting rights has depended on the nature of the crime.

Former offenders who have lost their voting rights could have them
restored, but that required the time and expense of hiring a lawyer
and petitioning Circuit Court.The bill passed by the legislature
streamlines the process: Former offenders must complete their
sentence and probation, and pay any related fines and court-ordered
restitution. They can then receive a "certificate of restoration"
from either the Correction Department or Board of Probation and
Parole, which they take to their local election commission for
verification and registration. The bill still excludes from the
process those convicted of murder, aggravated rape, voter fraud,
treason or sex offense against a minor.This is a far simpler, fairer
process. The right to vote is fundamental to citizenship.
Ex-offenders are expected to work, to pay their taxes, to obey the
laws. They should expect, in return, a restoration of voting
rights.Society wins when former criminal offenders, having served
their time, re-enter the community as productive, responsible
citizens.In passing this law, Tennessee legislators have encouraged
responsible citizenship by creating one simple path to restore voting
rights for ex-offenders.