The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma mailed letters to the state's county election boards this week reminding them former felons have the right to vote.
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"With Oct.10 being the deadline (for voter registration) for the presidential election, we find this to be extremely timely,” said ACLU spokeswoman Katy Jones at a Tuesday news conference. "A lot of people don't understand that these ex-felons have voting rights.”
In Oklahoma, convicted felons are stripped of the right to vote while incarcerated, on parole or probation. When a felon's original sentence is complete, voting rights are restored. Those given a deferred sentence for a felony crime retain their voting rights without interruption. Voting rights for felons vary by state.
All of Us or None Oklahoma, the local chapter of a national felon advocacy group, is conducting a survey this month to see which counties are giving incorrect information about felons' voting rights, spokeswoman Faye Tucker said. Counties have shown improvement over a 2005 survey in providing correct information, Tucker said.
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Just look at how many election boards statewide will take this ACLU letter as gospel and allow "ex-felons" to register. Completely ignoring our state's constitution. The letter must have been written and mailed from McAlester.
As far as second ammendment rights, I agree with the idea that a person who has demonstrated violent or lethal tendencies should not have access to guns, though I also think its a bit silly for someone who has gotten caught cheating on their income taxes, for example, to be forbidden from ever again having a gun in their possession. It would not be unfeasable, in view of the number of convicted felons in Oklahoma, that 'parents' could not have a gun, but their five year old child could...
I wonder when the ACLU will start lobbying for Felon's to get their 2nd amendment rights reinstated also?? Isn't it amazing how some fight so hard for felons and illegal aliens being able to vote, for no ID checks at voting stations and for trying to make sure our miltary men and women overseas vote's dont count.
...although I've not done any research in this area, I suspect this was in part due to pressure from tribal governments then in Oklahoma as many had fought on the side of the Confederacy(some tribes allowed slavery), though interestingly, Native Americans would not have received the right to vote until they were finally given status as US citizens in the twenties.
The ACLU had nothing to do with this one. This would have been written into the State Constitution at Statehood. As at that time there probably still a number of former Confederate soldiers alive in this state, this measure would have allowed them also to play an active part in early statehood politics(think Little Dixie).
My thoughts exactly Kevin. If you are dumb enough to commit a felon, you are not capable of voting, let alone have a right to do so. The ACLU is the downfall of this country.
Ahem...there is no such thing as an 'ex-felon.' Once convicted of a felony, one is ALWAYS considered a 'convicted felon.' Even a presidential pardon would not entirely clear the slate...
Q: Can convicted felons vote in Oklahoma?A: Yes — so long as their sentence has been completed.
Q:Can people accused of a felony, but not convicted, vote?A: Yes. Voting rights are stripped only upon conviction for a felony.
Q:What about deferred or suspended sentences?A: People given a deferred sentence can vote. People given suspended sentences for felony convictions cannot vote.
Q: Must felons provide proof they are not on probation or on parole when registering to vote?A: No. Like all voters, felons are simply asked to swear they meet requirements.
Q: What if a person's felony conviction came from another state?
A: The same rules apply, regardless of jurisdiction.
Source: American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma
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