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Nonviolent felons could regain voting rights in Georgia
https://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/nonviolent-felons-could-regain-voting-rights-georgia/xZOpRkDHfml2GhtHjigvUK/Georgia senators on Friday began considering whether to restore the voting rights of many of the state’s 250,000 felons, especially those who were convicted of nonviolent crimes.
But it remained unclear which crimes would be minor enough for offenders to be able to vote, and senators reached no conclusions about whether felons should regain their rights before they’ve paid off fines and fees.Georgia is one of 22 states that denies felons the ability to vote even after they’ve been released from prison, requiring them to also complete parole, probation and pay fines and fees.
State Sen. Randy Robertson, the chairman of a committee studying the issue, said he hopes legislators can pass a bill next year that addresses felon voting.“I would hope I’m not wasting my time today on something that’s fruitless,” Robertson, a Republican from Cataula and a former sheriff’s deputy, said after the committee’s meeting at Columbus State University. “Victims are going to have their voices heard, too. … Just starting the conversation is a big step forward.”
Senators and criminal justice groups appeared to agree that those convicted of drug possession charges should be able to vote when they’re freed from prison. It’s unclear whether other offenses, such as drug distribution, shoplifting and burglary, would qualify.Most of Georgia’s felons, about 80%, are already living in their communities while finishing their probation or parole, said Maxwell Ruppersburg, the executive director of Reform Georgia, an organization focused on reducing incarceration.“They paid their dues to society. Their sentence has been completed. If that’s true, why are we here having this discussion?” asked Paulette Hunt, a retired veteran who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting. “Where is their justice? The punishment must fit the crime.”
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