You Might be Eligible to Vote and Don’t Know it
With elections fast approaching, it seems like a good time to get the word out about voting reform in our state. In 2009 a bill was passed that restored the right of convicted felons to vote. More than three years later many citizens are unaware of this fact and still assume that they cannot register.
The reform measure made it possible for individuals who are no longer in prison (and are no longer under state-supervised parole or probation) to vote. Even if the individual still has a debt to repay, he or she is automatically eligible. If you are unsure whether you are able to register you can take an online quiz on voting rights at http://aclu-wa.org/quiz-voting-rights.
The Legislative Director of ACLU-WA, Shankar Narayan, stated that “[p]eople who vote are at less risk of reoffending, and that leads to safer communities for us all.” So help spread the word – and happy voting!
“People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote – a very different thing.” Walter H. Judd