Voting is one of the most important Constitutional rights given to
every American citizen. It is a powerful and strong way to have your
opinion and voice heard. Voting allows you to play an active role
in the democratic process and work towards making political changes.
But, not everyone is able to participate in the democratic process.
Many states prevent people convicted of a felony from registering
and voting. Indeed, most states do not allow inmates to vote while
in prison for a felony offense; more than half the states prohibit
people convicted of a felony from voting while they are on parole;
and more than half the states exclude felony probationers from voting.
Connecticut's voting rights laws were among the most restrictive,
preventing people convicted of a felony from voting while in prison
and while on probation or parole. As a result, over 51,000 people
were barred from voting, 36,000 of whom were on probation.
However, during the 2001 legislative session, the Connecticut General
Assembly took an important step forward, passing legislation that
restores the voting rights of people with a felony conviction.
Effective January 1, 2002, all persons convicted of a felony, and
sentenced to probation, and not sentenced to confinement
in a correctional institution, are able to register to vote. They
can register in person at any town hall, or use the mail-in voter
registration application. They will not lose their right
to vote if they are already registered. Persons who were sentenced
to confinement in an institution must present proof of release
from confinement and parole to their Registrars of Voters to restore
their voting rights.
All persons convicted of a felony before January 1, 2002, must appear
in person to the Registrars of Voters (Deputy or Assistant) in the
town where they live with satisfactory proof that they are no longer
(or never were) incarcerated or no longer on parole in order to restore
their voting rights.
The only exception to this new law is that people on parole or convicted
of election law violations are not eligible until they have completed
all aspects of their sentence.
This law will help bring people on probation into the democratic
process, focusing on reintegration, rehabilitation and responsibility
to the community rather than separation.
