Gov Mcauliffe restores Voting Rights to more than 5,100 ex-offenders..

[Cha]

Last edited Wed Dec 31, 2014, 04:13 AM - Edit history (1)

ProgressivePhD @CallOut4
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McAuliffe restores rights of more than 5,100 ex-offenders @richmonddotcom
4:31 PM - 29 Dec 2014 12 Retweets 3 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/29/2014-50-most-memorable-moments/


Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe watched in an emotional moment for James W. Ray

snip//

James W. Ray sat silently in the front row of the church meeting room, rubbing his eyes.

Ray wasn’t mourning a loss. Rather, the Vietnam veteran and felon wept over something that had just been returned to him — the right to vote.

“Those are tears of joy,” observed Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who came to First Baptist Church in South Richmond on Thursday to formally restore the rights of Ray and two others.

The governor was commemorating a year in which the secretary of the commonwealth’s office restored the rights of 5,113 Virginians to vote, serve on a jury, hold public office and become notaries.

snip//

“This is a great day in my life,” said Ray, convicted in 2005 of a nonviolent felony. He received an official proclamation from the governor along with LaQuita Fairley and Verneda Muhammad.

“This is what’s great about being governor,” said McAuliffe, who became a little emotional himself at seeing Ray’s reaction.

“I’ve said many times I think it’s important that everybody in life gets a second chance,” the governor told the audience of parishioners, politicians and rights restoration advocates. They cheered and applauded frequently throughout the event as officials and former offenders alike told of trying to restore civil rights — and the impact restoration will have on their lives.

MOre..
http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/article_cbad7917-dac0-5ae1-a545-b5fafc29081b.html#.VKINMLIDXQM.twitter

Second Chances, baby! Thank you Governor McAuliffe~ The sacred right to VOTE

[oldandhappy]

1. WOWeeee!!!!!

Go, Gov.



The right to vote is number one.

[Cha]

2. Yes, indeed, oldandhappy!

[Cha]

3. KIck for Voting Rights!

[appalachiablue]

4. Terrific, want to see more of this in the states. Big score for the Macker!

[Cha]

5. Terry's loving this.. yes, it would be nice if the Gov of Florida would Restore Voting Rights but

that's not going to happen.

[mcar]

58. I wish cha

Shame on Florida voters and those who didn't vote. This state is going head first into crap-ville.

[Cha]

59. It's such a Shame it's unreal, mcar. smh

[Cha]

6. VOTING RIGHTS!

[Cha]

7. VOTING RIGHTS!

[appalachiablue]

8. Yes FL too. Love that state. I know Webb used to bring up voter restoration, and I first

heard about high black and brown prison incarceration from him at a law school seminar in 2006. VA could use him again, should have stayed. Want to see more people freed from this terrible discrimination.

[jaysunb]

15. Webb/Udall 2016 ! n/t

[appalachiablue]

17. Maybe. I will look up Udall, know very little about him so far. You must know VA, how's

Dave Brat doing? Heard nada since that primary-

[jaysunb]

20. I'm not at all, with the state dynamics, but, I've always adimired

Jim Webb. America, will like him too.

Hello from California !

[appalachiablue]

21. Howdy California! What do you admire about Webb? There's much I realize.

There's criticism as a candidate cuz of wimen, the CSA. That's about it I think.
Some folks like Sherrod Brown, me too though maybe not as pres. candidate.

[jaysunb]

26. Sensibilities, common sense, sense of history

and electability.

[appalachiablue]

27. OK sounds good. I like history, lots don't. I need to go to CA been way too long.

SEA friends have a new place in San Diego.

[Luminous Animal]

9. All prisoners, no matter the offense, should be allowed to vote FROM prison.

[ucrdem]

19. I absolutely agree.

I don't imagine it would impossible to make that happen if there was any congressional desire which obviously there isn't, for several reasons I can think of, bad and less bad but none good.

[Orsino]

52. Hell, yeah.

We will never reform the prison system when we keep barring its victims/residents from the vote.

5,100 is a drop in the bucket, but the story is a nice reminder that some people still really care about the franchise.

[Cha]

10. KICK

[ucrdem]

11. Wow.

Awesome initiative. Props to Terry, and let's hope the idea spreads!

[Cha]

12. We know it's not going to spread to Florida until they get a decent gov in there.. hoping for

2018, ucr!

[ucrdem]

18. In addition to being the right thing to do

it's also a good way to get out the Dem vote in 2016, not just from the reinstated voters, but their families and friends and communities. What's not to like!

[Cha]

23. Exactly.. good for Virginia in 2016.. the gop hate it.. indeed, what's not to like!

[freshwest]

13. Glad he did this... Especially for this gentleman.

[Cha]

16. So happy for these people who appreciate the Right to Vote, fresh! Sometimes you don't know what

you have until it's taken away.

[jaysunb]

14. There's something in my eye.....n/t

[Cha]

32. And, in my throat, jay.

So happy for them Wish everyone took their right to vote with such appreciation.

[951-Riverside]

22. How is it constitutional to prevent people who have served their time from voting?

Felons are never really released, they have to live the rest of their lives labeled as an undesirable.

I think it should be illegal for jobs to discriminate against or refuse to hire people who have served their time for whatever crime they were convicted of.

[Cha]

29. So do I, Riverside.. they pay their debt and it's to be a citizen with full rights again.

[herding cats]

24. Why can't felons vote?

I've never understood the reasoning behind disenfranchising a block of voters because they once committed a crime. I could maybe see an argument for not letting people vote while they're being punished, but after they've paid their debt to society I can't understand it at all.

People make mistakes, it's human nature. Sometimes those mistakes are crimes, more often they're not, but putting a lifetime stigma on a person who committed a crime in their past is just barbaric to me.

Oh, and excellent OP, Cha! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

[Cha]

31. Thank you, herding cats.. I don't know why it was taken away even after they got out of

incarceration. But, when I saw this story I just melted at James Ray's happiness at getting his Voting Rights back!

You're Welcome!

[herding cats]

33. It's a beautiful story, Cha.

It made my heart happy and I adore the feeling of a happy heart. You're the best!

[Cha]

34. You're the best!

herding cats~

[lovemydog]

25. Great news.

I think all felons who have done their time (or whatever it's called) should be allowed to vote. Personally I think it's unconstitutional to deny it.

[Cha]

35. That's it, lovemydog.. "done their time".. and now it time to have their Voting Rights Restored.

Gov McAuliffe says he has plans to do a lot more before his term is up.. "this is only the first year".

[TexasTowelie]

28. Thanks for the news.

If a felon successfully serves his/her sentence for the crimes committed then he/she should have their right to vote restored. I also believe that they should be able to serve on jury duty (including grand juries) because of the life experience that they bring to the courtroom. Those two items are privileges and duties that are necessary to reintegrate convicts back into society.

[Cha]

37. You're Welcome, TexasT! Good point about standing on juries.. Definitely.. so many Americans

don't even want to .. the same with Voting as we unfortunately saw in the MidTerms.

[SunSeeker]

30. Felon disenfranchisement is the new Jim Crow.

Thank God for Dems like McAuliffe.

[NBachers]

36. As an ex-offender with a lot of Fed time under my belt, I applaud Governor McAuliffe.

I lived a long time in Miami, and I still wouldn't be able to vote if I still lived there. But I've been in California since the early '90's, and I registered soon after I got out of the halfway house.

I never miss an election. Let's hope this is the start of a trend everywhere.

[Cha]

40. So, you know and really appreciate the right to vote and exercise it.. Wish everyone did who

takes it for granted, NBachers.

Gov McAuliffe said there's more to come.. he's "only been in office 11 months.. he's just getting started".

From the link..

"Virginia has historically been among the most restrictive states in the nation in returning civil rights to former offenders, requiring felons to go through a waiting period and a detailed application process even after they have served their time."

And, this..

States Deny Millions Of Ex-Felons Voting Rights

"Four states permanently disenfranchise ex-felons. In Florida, Iowa, Kentucky and Virginia, it takes a decree by the governor or a clemency board to restore a person's voting rights, and only after a predetermined waiting period and all fines and fees are paid can an individual submit an application."

MOre..
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/08/felon-voting-rights_n_1924535.html

Hope this starts a trend, too!

[davidpdx]

38. That is great

I really don't understand why once a person is released they can't immediately vote in all states. It is fucking insane.

[Cha]

41. I don't either, david.. they are suppose to be rehabiliated.. that's what is said about prison.. so

why not honor them, encourage and inspire to make them believe it?

[davidpdx]

42. I've mentioned this before on DU

Oregon really went to the right on some of their decisions about prisons that last 20 years or so. It is surprising given how progressive the state is suppose to be. Part of the reasons is that ballot measures qualified for many of these issues and they actually passed. The other part was the large budget shortfalls Oregon had during the recession. Almost any type of rehabilitation has been cut to the point where very little is left.

/end slightly off topic rant

[Cha]

43. Sorry to hear that. Seems like it puts more of a drain on society in the long run. There are

second chances. Why not go all the way as long as the person is willing?.. instead of making it easier to go back instead.

And, that is surprising about Oregon.. thanks for explaining why.

[whathehell]

39. Bravo..It's the right thing to do.

[Cha]

44. Absolutely, wth!

[whathehell]

51. Thanks, Cha

I've always thought that law was messed up.

[riqster]

45. Good on him!

Without our votes, we are reduced from citizens to subjects.

[Cha]

46. You see how important this is! Thank you, riqster.

Mahalo

[riqster]

47. Back atcha, Cha.

A very happy new year to you and yours.

[Cha]

48. Happiest of New Years to you and yours, riqster~

[Cha]

49. KICK for new Voters!

[JustAnotherGen]

50. Oh lovely!

[Cha]

55. Indeed, Gen!

[napkinz]

53. great story Cha!

thank you for sharing with us!

[Cha]

56. Yes, some great news for a little change up here, napkinz.. thank you!

[napkinz]

62. :)

[Cha]

64. More Voters in Virginia.. Mahalo Gov McAuliffe!

[napkinz]

54. kick

nt

[Cha]

57. KICK

[CatWoman]

60. and he sent CatWoman an email Christmas Card

[Cha]

61. Cool! I bet Gov McAuliffe is so refreshing after McDonnell, Cat.

[treestar]

63. ....

“By providing Virginia’s former offenders with a second chance, we can reduce recidivism, increase participation in our democratic processes, and build a new Virginia economy,” McAuliffe said.

This is a good argument for not cutting off the right to vote. If people are out of jail, why exclude them from society but not expect recidivism?

[Cha]

66. Mahalo treestar, Excellent quote! ".. we can reduce recidivism, increase participation in our

democratic processes, and build a new Virginia economy,” McAuliffe said."

Thank you!

[sheshe2]

65. Thank you Governor Terry McAuliffe.

It was the right thing to do, Cha. The emotion on James Rays face said it all.

[Cha]

68. And, he's not done yet, she.."..only getting started" I love the quote that treestar brought forth.

“By providing Virginia’s former offenders with a second chance, we can reduce recidivism, increase participation in our democratic processes, and build a new Virginia economy,” McAuliffe said.

James Ray is a compelling example of someone who lost his right to vote and really appreciates getting it back!

[sheshe2]

69. Good for Virginia!

and The Governor, Cha.

[Cha]

70. Yeah, I'm thinking that could help in 2016!

[ohheckyeah]

67. So far I have been pleasantly

surprised by our governor.

[Cha]

71. Sounds like "Second Chances" to me, ohheckyeah.. I kind of got that impression of

Gov McAulliffe but of course I'm not there in your state.

We have our own new Dem Gov and looking forward to seeing how he'll do. I'm optimistic.

[ohheckyeah]

72. I voted for him but wasn't

Overly optimistic but he's won my admiration. Good luck with your new Dem governor.

[Cha]

74. Mahalo, ohheckyeah~ Our new Gov..

David Ige becomes state's 8th governor

HONOLULU —On a windy morning in front of hundreds of students, state lawmakers and five former state governors, Sen. David Ige became Gov. Ige.

He gave a speech that focused on family as he became Hawaii's eighth governor.

“I am a son of immigrants like most of us here in Hawaii,” Ige said. “We are forever marked by that immigrant experience, by that voyaging.”

Ige takes over the state’s top job with unemployment at its lowest level since 2008, but he still says there is a lot of work to be done.

“In the last several years, we have had to deal with some of the most divisive issues we've faced as a community, including GMOs, same-sex marriage and others that go to the heart of what many of us believe,” said Ige. “But that's the thing, you see. As important as those issues are, they really don't define us.”

Hawaii's new governor served in the state Legislature for nearly 30 years before the inauguration Monday.

MOre..
http://www.kitv.com/news/David-Ige-becomes-state-s-8th-governor/30011984



http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/27562835/thousands-join-gov-ige-in-inauguration-celebration-dinner

[Hekate]

73. That is a good start!

[Cha]

75. Indeed, Hekate.. quote from Gov Mcauliffe

“By providing Virginia’s former offenders with a second chance, we can reduce recidivism, increase participation in our democratic processes, and build a new Virginia economy,” McAuliffe said

Mahalo

[1step]

76. Excellent

Not Montgomery Burns' Excellent, but instead the good, K&R type of Excellent!

[Cha]

77. More voters in Virginia, 1 step and as Gov Mcauliffe says..

“By providing Virginia’s former offenders with a second chance, we can reduce recidivism, increase participation in our democratic processes, and build a new Virginia economy,” McAuliffe said

Mahalo