Felons to Vote in California

A state appeals court has restored voting rights to as many as 100,000 Californians who are in county jails on probation from felony convictions, and who were disenfranchised by the state a year ago, based on a new legal interpretation.

CaPoliticalNews reports that the interpretation abruptly reversed the state’s reading of the law for the previous 30 years and that the state’s top election official said he will not appeal.
Maya Harris, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and a lawyer in the case says, “It sure is nice to have a win for democracy,’’ she said after last week’s ruling. "We’re a state that is very protective of the fundamental right to vote.’’ She also said the ACLU has won backing from probation officers who agree that restoring the right to vote helps in inmates’ rehabilitation.

A commenter on the CaPoliticalNews website asked whether anyone knows how many of those felons would vote Republican vs. Democrat.

As someone who has arrested and interviewed hundreds of felons since 1980, I suspect that the overwhelming number are of a socialist-liberal mindset. Many are institutionalized and don’t want their free medical care, legal representation, food, clothing, or housing jeopardized by "mean-spirited Republicans."

Whether they vote is questionable, but leftist-liberal-Democrat policies like gun control benefit felons tremendously. After all, how would you like to be a career robber or burglar forced to work in a town where Republican politicians allow ordinary citizens can carry guns? I mean, c’mon, even felons need to eat!

Someone else remarked that Republicans also sit in jail. While this is true, the media made people like Abramoff and Cunningham a big story because it’s comparatively rare for Republicans to engage in criminal behavior.

Republicans have no problem holding their own accountable. Reps who behave badly either resign or are forced out. Some examples:

• Janklow and Ted Kennedy drove recklessly and killed someone. Janklow resigned.
• Nixon and Clinton committed felonies in office - Nixon resigned.
• Congressman Barney Frank ran a male prostitution ring from his condo - Tom Foley wrote some flirty messages to former interns who were men (not a crime). Foley resigned.

And if that’s not enough, ask yourself how Congressman William Jefferson is doing with his $100K bribe in the fridge case? Does anyone think that Democrats will force HIM out anytime soon.

Bribery doesn’t begin to approach the threshold of bad behavior for Democrats OR their felon-voters.This is one more reason why Republicans must vote – to offset the felony vote.

And if you haven’t already done so, vote ABSENTEE! I do that now and enjoy the convenience of sitting at my table and voting weeks before an election. The application process is simple. Go to the California Elections website for information and applications – and you can vote absentee – just like ordinary Democrat felons!