HB 265 by Rep. Pat Smith would allow felons to vote once released from prison, after five years. She told the House and Governmental Affairs Committee that the law and Constitution dictates that those under imprisonment, which includes probation and parole, for a felony can’t vote.
Representatives for an ex-offender interest group
noted that the bill would aid those on long-term parole or probation. But Rep. Rob Shadoin
noted that parole and probation offenders sometimes did not draw imprisonment
and wondered how it could be implemented.
Others said the right to vote would increase their
integration into the community, echoing a statistic that people who vote are
less likely to offend – although the direction of causation was not made clear.
Still others appeared to litigate a case in process over the definition of “imprisonment.”
They also noted ex-felons still had to pay taxes yet couldn’t vote in Louisiana
and therefore didn’t have a say in society.
Rep. Barry Ivey said
just because felons in this situation could not vote doesn’t mean public policy
doesn’t address their needs. Speaking on the administrative side, First Secretary
of State Kyle Ardoin said the system as is would not reliably work to identify
individuals properly under the proposed bill, and would need changes to fit.
Smith closed saying changing the system should not
be difficult. The bill was approved 7-2.
DID YOU KNOW?
HB 417 by
Ivey would also restore felon voting rights, but they would have to perform
community service for this. Rep. Lance Harris
moved for its involuntary deferral, to which Ivey moved for passage. His request
failed 2-6.
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