Felon Voters Rights Delayed
Charlie Crist has postponed the decision to automatically restore the voting rights of felons. The exception would be murderers and child predators. Attorney Bill McCollum does not support automatic restoring of voter rights.
"Obviously, I favor the restoration of civil rights and I am optimistic we will be able to get to that point, but I want to build a consensus before we go there," Crist said.
Charlie the censenus builder drives people in both political parties crazy. Florida Politics is pissed.
So Charlie is giving McCollum, a knuckle dragger from the get go, the ultimate authority? Apparently so.
Crist is the most tolerant Republican I have seen in Florida. I believe he is sincere. There really isn't much political payoff for him restoring the voting rights of felons. Political opponents can paint him as soft on crime. But Crist is a censenus builder. He is not going to steamroll over people Jeb Bush-style.
McCollum believes people should be punished after they served their jail time.
The loss of civil rights “has historically been part of the punishment,” McCollum said. “You lose it automatically…when you’re convicted of a felony. And it’s a special deal to get it back.”
The next clemency board is in June. Sigh.
Labels: voting rights
posted by Michael Hussey @ 4:14 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
See --- Charlie's get tough on crime stance and etc... *anti-murder bill doesn't fit with the rest of these supposed statements about how he wants to restore ALL rights for all except for violent or predator. The truth will rise to the top and we'll know if it was just a campaign promise. Meantime, here is a reply from his office which seems to negate his public stance on wanting to restore rights in a blanket, fair fashion.
Here we go ...
From the Office of Governor Crist
Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2007 15:00:56 -0500
From: "Hobbs, Thomas" Thomas.Hobbs@LASPBS.STATE.FL.US
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March 2, 2007
Thank you for writing to Governor Crist about your concerns regarding the restoration of felons' civil rights and the voting process. The Governor appreciates hearing your views and questions and has asked that I respond on his behalf.
Governor Crist believes that prior to restoration of civil rights, a convicted felon must complete their prison sentence or supervision period including any monetary obligations, especially restitution. He does not believe in the automatic restoration of civil rights for all felons but does believe in a fair and efficient process to review restoration requests in a timely manner. As a member of the Clemency Board, Governor Crist supported the new computerized and streamlined process to review applications for civil rights restoration. He also supported a bill that passed unanimously through the Florida Legislature in 2006 that requires county detention facilities to provide applications for the restoration of civil rights to inmates before they are released.
The Governor is reviewing several options for possible revisions to the clemency rules process and appreciates hearing from you regarding this issue. As Governor Crist begins his administration and develops policy for the people of the great State of Florida , he will keep in mind the suggestions such as that in which you have provided.
Thank you again for your letters.
Sincerely,
Thomas C. Hobbs
Executive Office of the Governor
(this came after I mentioned that he doesn't answer emails)
Further punishment after a sentence and all obligations have been served...isn't that a ex post facto
violation...no matter what the felon has served time for?
These people are afraid of what will happen when voting rights are restored for these disenfranchised voters. Florida has not become a police state for lack of planning by our legislators and Florida cabinet...the harder for a person to mainstream back into society, the bigger the chance that person will return to prison...and prisons are what makes Florida great!
Arrive on vacation, leave on probation!
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