Many prison inmates still have the right to vote
Your March 27 editorial, “Perdue’s budget cuts would crowd prisons,” makes a very good point in suggesting that reducing sentences for nonviolent offenders and increasing the use of community-based alternatives to incarceration should be considered as ways to reduce overcrowding in the state’s prisons. Closing small prisons and simply sending the inmates into already-overcrowded facilities is not a very smart way to save money.
Although I agree with the editorial overall, there is one statement I think should be clarified. You say that “prisoners don’t vote.” Unless a prisoner is a convicted felon, he or she is eligible to vote and should be offered the chance to vote absentee whenever an election is held.
Most of the inmates in minimum-security prisons are probably not felons. I was involved in an effort to help inmates register and vote in last November’s election and was impressed with the large number of inmates who were eager to exercise their right to vote. If prisoners don’t vote, it is probably because no one is making sure they are given the opportunity to vote.
Sue Jezorek
Greensboro
Comments (9)
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I'm sure the Democrats appreciate your efforts, Sue.
Posted on April 6, 2009 3:11 AM
Have you noticed that with all the cuts,you have not read one word about PORK CUTS.
Tony Rand said PORK is a very important part of our budget. Must be! Sure have not heard about any cuts.
Posted on April 6, 2009 6:23 AM
"I was involved in an effort to help inmates register and vote in last November’s election and was impressed with the large number of inmates who were eager to exercise their right to vote."
I would have liked to have seen the final tally. You betcha McCain lost :)
Posted on April 6, 2009 8:07 AM
Dan--
"I would have liked to have seen the final tally. You betcha McCain lost :)"
Of course. Buncha liberals, right?
Posted on April 6, 2009 10:50 AM
I can't find any data on the outcome of the prison vote BA, but here is a prisoner who runs a blog, seems he favors Obama. Just one person mind you.
http://www.bugdugle.com/webdesign/8464/Michael-Santos-says-Obama-for-Prison-Reform.html
Here's another good one:
http://truthfirstnow.blogspot.com/2008/09/two-million-obama-voters-are-being-kept.html
especially this line:
The number of Africans being arrested has increased dramatically since the rise of Barack Obama. White police departments are under increased pressure from the Bush Regime to round up as many Africans as possible so they cannot vote for Senator Obama.
Wow, I didn't think an idiot like Bush could demand that police departments nationwide round up blacks & toss them in prison so they couldn't vote!! And Bush wasn't even running, did McCain & Palin get involved as well?
There's that term "African" again, I mentioned on the blog last week that I noticed the verbiage has switched from African-American to simply Africans.
So these people were born here and a vast majority have never even been to Africa, they are Africans nonetheless?
Posted on April 6, 2009 12:04 PM
That's a helluva blog on that second link, Dan.
truman would run out of 'goshs' on that one.
Posted on April 6, 2009 12:54 PM
I don't see anything wrong with prisoners voting as long as they are citizens.
I don't agree with those blogs. I don't agree with the commenters on those blogs too.
Posted on April 6, 2009 1:53 PM
There is hope BA.
Just noticed this letter written by Sue Jezorek, and the April 4 letter I'm willing to pay more in taxes to save jobs by Jack Jezorek. Looks like we have busy Jezoreks pleading their causes.
Posted on April 6, 2009 2:34 PM
Off subject but I saw a bumper sticker recently that said "Palin 2012". The thought makes me have nightmares.
Even convicted felons can apply to vote after serving their debt to society. And why shouldn't they?
UNC by 4.
Posted on April 6, 2009 5:29 PM