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November 18, 2007
Muslim Keith Ellison (D-MN) Seeks Bill To Let Ex-Felons Vote
Ellison (D-MN) seeks bill to let ex-felons vote
Rep. Keith Ellison said Friday he'll pursue legislation that would require states to let ex-felons vote in federal elections once they're out of jail or prison, which would nullify laws in states across the country, including Minnesota.
Ellison, a freshman Minnesota Democrat, had introduced legislation to let ex-felons vote when he was in the Minnesota Legislature. Now he's aiming for a bigger impact.
"Allowing felons to vote signals our value on redemption," he said in an interview. "We should believe in second chances. We should believe in redemption."
The question, Ellison said, is whether people who serve their sentences can join their communities' civic life.
"If what we want people to do is reintegrate, to rehabilitate," he said, "I can think of very few things that are more public-spirited than voting."
A report by The Sentencing Project last year found that almost 4 million Americans who have completed their prison terms remain unable to vote, because laws in most states prevent them from doing so.
According to the group, which supports criminal justice reform, there are 10 states in which a felony conviction can result in a lifetime voting ban. Minnesota and many other states let ex-felons vote once they have finished their parole and probation. Only two states — Maine and Vermont — let prison inmates vote.
Ellison isn't pushing the issue that far.
"I'd be happy if people could vote once they're out," he said. "I don't think there's any real good reason to deny you the right to vote once you're in, but, once you're out and you can vote — that would be a system that would make sense to me."
Ellison said he's still polishing the legislation, along with other lawmakers.
The Minnesota Republican Party expressed opposition to Ellison's idea.
"Felonies are so serious that there have to be serious consequences," said Mark Drake, a party spokesman.
Ellison said one reason he's pushing the issue is because of the effect that banning ex-felons from voting has had on black voters. Last year's Sentencing Project found that in 2004, about 1 in 12 African-Americans was disenfranchised because of a felony conviction — nearly five times the rate of non-blacks.
"It has a real disproportionate racial impact," Ellison said.
He said that many ex-felons made errors in judgment but are not bad people.
"It's easy to say they're all just monsters — which is completely untrue," he said. "I'm not saying that people don't deserve sanctions. I spent 16 years doing criminal defense. And Lord knows I represented a lot of clients who need to be in prison. I hate to say it, but it's true. Some of them were out of their mind and needed to be locked up."
But he said many people were just "messed up, and needed a break, and needed a chance."
Ellison has already introduced bills that would ban requiring photo IDs to vote in federal elections, and would require states to have same-day voter registration for federal elections.
Wild Thing's comment........
Instant Democrat voting bloc brought to you by Muslim Ellison. He’s probably in favor of giving all his brothers at Gitmo the vote, too! I guess Keith (Hakeem) Ellison’s next bill will seek free explosive vests along with unlimited det cord for all muzzies that voted for him in MN’s fifth district.
Posted by Wild Thing at November 18, 2007 12:40 AM
Comments
During my correctional officer days the Muslim inmates all read Louie Lips Farakhan's 'Nation of Islam' trash and yelled "F Bush and assassinate the MF'R" whenever he was on television. Over 30% of black inmates converted to Islam in prison as well. During shakedowns we'd find wahabbi literature that was sent to them while they were incarcerated. I used to eat pork fried rice in front of them during Ramadamnadingdong! M M M Good!!
Posted by: drstrangeloveb52isok at November 18, 2007 03:52 AM
Ellison is a racist, a muzzie and a communist. That is about as anti-American as anyone can be.
Posted by: TomR at November 18, 2007 06:36 AM
Oh this is just great and what is next, letting the prisoners at Gitmo vote. Maybe they can invite Osama to vote for Hillary in the '08 election.
Ellison is just another moslem convert who has no clue.
Posted by: Mark at November 18, 2007 08:02 AM
Being convicted of something and sent to prison means you LOSE your rights, including those to vote in the elections.
Are the dummycraps that scared of the republicans that they have to let those who can't or aren't suppose to vote vote?
What are they afraid of? That we're going to win and put this country back where she belongs? That bright shining city on the hill?
Pork Fried Rice sounds mighty tasty right now, even for breakfast.
Ellison is a mean spirited loser. He makes Minnesotans look stupid and I know they aren't. I have family up there in Red Wing, Winona and Shorewood.
Posted by: Lynn at November 18, 2007 08:53 AM
drstrangeloveb52isok, hahaaha good, bet they would throw you looks while you ate that in front of them.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 18, 2007 09:03 AM
Tom he sure is all those things, and I will never not be shocked that a person like that is voted in to office in our country.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 18, 2007 09:04 AM
Mark, exactly, this is just the beginning I think of what Ellison wants to do pro Muslim to our country.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 18, 2007 09:06 AM
Lynn, "Pork Fried Rice sounds mighty tasty right now, even for breakfast."..............heh heh good one!
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 18, 2007 09:07 AM
Darth beat me to it...Grrr... I was going to say (look at the pic): "Hey, that guy has FARAKHAN LIPS".
Darth, if you ever get down this way (TX), yell at me. Pork Fried Rice for everybody!
My Dad loves Pork Fried Rice. When I asked about that and him being a Jew, he said, "Hey, I'm not a fanatic".
Posted by: SSgt Steve (Old Corps) at November 18, 2007 12:39 PM
JFK's and RFK's and MLK's assassins are either dead or incarcerated, but can that assassin that shot Alabama Gov. George Wallace - the one who was parolled a few days ago - relocate to MINNESOTA?
Posted by: drstrangeloveb52isok at November 19, 2007 12:18 AM
SSgt Steve (Old Corps, Nick loves it too. It is one of his favorites. hahaha
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 19, 2007 01:08 AM
drstrangeloveb52isok good point, yep they will all request to go to Minnesoooota.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 19, 2007 01:09 AM
