~ PLEASE DISTRIBUTE BROADLY- OCTOBER 26, 2002

Congressman John Conyers has introduced HR 551 (the Civic Participation and Rehabilitation Act of 2002). It presently has 23 co-sponsors. This bill would secure the federal voting rights of persons who have been released from incarceration.

The bill points out that nearly four million felons are presently disenfranchised, three-fourths of whom are on probation or parole or are otherwise ex-offenders. It also points out that 13% of African-American males cannot vote and that Hispanics are also overly disenfranchised. The bill would restore voting rights to ex-felons, while still denying that right to those in correctional facilities (unless a particular state allows those incarcerated to vote).

It is necessary that you contact your representative and request that he/she co-sponsor this legislation and/or demonstrate that he/she will vote “yes” if and when it comes up for a floor decision.