Pubdate: Mon, 22 May 2006 Source: Tennessean, The (Nashville, TN) Copyright: 2006 The Tennessean Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447 A VOTE FOR EX-OFFENDERS In passing legislation that eases the restoration of voting rights for ex-offenders, the General Assembly has endorsed fairness and justice.Tennessee laws governing restoration of voting rights to former offenders have been indefensibly complex. Those who were convicted of a felony after 1981 permanently lost their voting rights. Those convicted between Jan. 15 1973 and May 17, 1981 can vote whether they are in prison or not. For those convicted before 1973, restoration of voting rights has depended on the nature of the crime. Former offenders who have lost their voting rights could have them restored, but that required the time and expense of hiring a lawyer and petitioning Circuit Court.The bill passed by the legislature streamlines the process: Former offenders must complete their sentence and probation, and pay any related fines and court-ordered restitution. They can then receive a "certificate of restoration" from either the Correction Department or Board of Probation and Parole, which they take to their local election commission for verification and registration. The bill still excludes from the process those convicted of murder, aggravated rape, voter fraud, treason or sex offense against a minor.This is a far simpler, fairer process. The right to vote is fundamental to citizenship. Ex-offenders are expected to work, to pay their taxes, to obey the laws. They should expect, in return, a restoration of voting rights.Society wins when former criminal offenders, having served their time, re-enter the community as productive, responsible citizens.In passing this law, Tennessee legislators have encouraged responsible citizenship by creating one simple path to restore voting rights for ex-offenders. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman