Pubdate: Wed, 22 Nov 2000 Source: Illinois Times (IL) Copyright: 2000 Yesse Communications Contact: PO Box 3524 Springfield, IL 62708 Fax: 217/753-2281 Author: Janelle Clemons Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1711/a02.html THE VOTES OF PRISONERS To the editor: After reading Larry A. Stevens' letter to the editor in the November 16 issue, I could no longer sit by while people constantly misinterpret a voting right. Felony offenders only lose their right to vote while they are incarcerated. Upon release, they are eligible to vote -- providing they register. I urge all Xs who thought they lost that right to register immediately. We know better than anyone how unbalanced the scales of justice are. A law-abiding citizen can be sentenced to years in prison for refusing to testify against friends or relatives who the government determines to be criminals, while a child molester my never see the inside of a prison. The laws will not be changed if we do not make our voices heard by voting. By the way, the "War on Drugs" belongs to the Reagan/Bush camp, not to Al Gore. The federal agencies simply do not want to give up the power they have grown to relish. Janelle Clemens, Springfield - --- MAP posted-by: Derek