California's Constitution provides, on the subject of felon voting, "The Legislature shall ... provide for the disqualification of electors while mentally incompetent or imprisoned or on parole for conviction of a felony."
Crystal clear, right? Felons lose their right to vote when they are sentenced to imprisonment (but not probation), and they get it back when they have completed both the incarceration term and any subsequent parole period, right?
Well, never underestimate the ability of lawyers to tie the language in knots. As a result of Gov. Jerry Brown's realignment program, lower level felons will do their time in county jail. But obviously they are still "imprisoned ... for conviction of a felony," so that doesn't change the voting qualification.
Not according to the ACLU and the League of Women Voters. They have sued the Secretary of State (a Democrat, for those who like to keep track of that) for opining that people in jail are "imprisoned." Honestly, I'm not making this up.
CJLF's press release is here.
Crystal clear, right? Felons lose their right to vote when they are sentenced to imprisonment (but not probation), and they get it back when they have completed both the incarceration term and any subsequent parole period, right?
Well, never underestimate the ability of lawyers to tie the language in knots. As a result of Gov. Jerry Brown's realignment program, lower level felons will do their time in county jail. But obviously they are still "imprisoned ... for conviction of a felony," so that doesn't change the voting qualification.
Not according to the ACLU and the League of Women Voters. They have sued the Secretary of State (a Democrat, for those who like to keep track of that) for opining that people in jail are "imprisoned." Honestly, I'm not making this up.
CJLF's press release is here.
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