Tell Congress to Extend Voting Rights to All Citizens

Across the country, it's estimated that one in 50 Americans are denied the right to vote.

Why? In the U.S., it doesn't matter whether you've been charged with theft or a drug offense -- if you have a felony conviction on your record, you can lose your right to vote. Forever.

The history behind such laws reaches back to the Jim Crow era, during which felon disenfranchisement was just one of many tactics employed to keep blacks from voting. The poll tax was long ago abolished, along with literacy requirements that so obviously targeted minorities. Yet these restrictions on felony voters are allowed to stand.

It's time that injustice changed. While some states have measures in place for people with felony convictions to regain their voting rights, the process is arduous and not guaranteed. As Matt wrote in October, restrictions on felon voting rights vary wildly from state to state. For example, a total of 35 states not only ban voting for incarcerated individuals, but also extend the disenfranchisement to those on probation and parole.

Currently, legislation is pending on Capitol Hill to change all this -- and you can help. Introduced last July, the Democracy Restoration Act would reinstate federal election voting rights to felons. It would also ensure those on probation would never lose their voting rights, and also restore voting rights to those who are released from prison. It's long past time for our country to eliminate the vestiges of Jim Crow. Tell Congress to extend voting rights to our fellow Americans who have paid their dues by signing the petition below.

The good news is that the movement against felon disenfranchisement is gathering steam, gaining the attention of media and lawmakers alike. Since 1997, 19 states have made changes to their existing laws.

Yet injustices obviously still abound. Today, over four million people (mostly men, and disproportionately minorities) live in our communities -- working and contributing to society -- and yet they're denied this basic tenet of citizenship. No wonder the U.S. Civil Right Commission has called felon disenfranchisement "the biggest hindrance to black voting since the poll tax."

Along with racial repercussions, studies suggest voting can actually reduce recidivism among people with felony convictions in the community. Strong community ties -- including the right to vote -- give people a stake in the world around them and a sense of pride. Along with employment and family support, such a perspective can mean the difference between a career criminal and one who returns as a productive member of society.

On March 16, the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties heard testimony on the Democracy Restoration Act. Movement is afoot in support of the bill, and with Obama in office, let's hope that this piece of legislation passes through Congress and is quickly enacted.

But even as we hope, we also have to act. Support for legislation of this kind is growing -- in fact, it's never been higher than it is now. Let your Senators and Representatives know that you back the measure, too. Now's the time to give all Americans the right to vote.