A bill that restores the right to vote for many has passed in the Washington state House of Representatives. Our state has required that people convicted of a felony had to complete their sentence and pay off their financial obligation to the court before the right to vote was restored. House Bill 1517 restores the right to vote to people convicted of a felony but who are no longer incarcerated or under supervision by the Department of Corrections.
This bill is attempting to remove financial barriers to voting in our state. VOICES believes that this is an important step for economic human rights. Poverty, and the inability to pay, does not make a person less of a citizen. All citizens should have the right to vote regardless of their ability to pay.
Right now the bill is awaiting further action in the senate, it is not dead yet! The bill has been referred to the Rules Committe and must be passed out of that committee and to the floor of the Senate for a vote before it can become law. Please call your Washington State Senator, the phone number is 1-800-562-6000. Call and ask your senator to support HB1517 moving to the floor of the Senate for voting, and ask your senator to vote yes! I just did it and you can too!
