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Politics: Judge May Dismiss Lawsuit Over Which Felons Can Vote
October 9th, 2008Judge may dismiss lawsuit over which felons can vote. With Alabama voter registration at record levels, registrars may have to wait awhile longer to learn which felons can vote – and just what constitutes “moral turpitude.” County voter registrars have been struggling to figure out which ex-felons can sign up and which can’t, but an Alabama judge said she may dismiss a challenge to registration laws filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. During a hearing Wednesday, Montgomery Circuit Judge Tracy McCooey told ACLU attorneys she is troubled that the ACLU’s three plaintiffs filed suit before they filled out voter registration forms and were officially rejected by county voter registrars. The ACLU filed the lawsuit in July on behalf of three ex-felons who want to vote in the Nov. 4 presidential election. One of the three had actually tried to register in Jefferson County, but was never given a form because a registrar told her she couldn’t vote. The ACLU had hoped to turn the lawsuit into a class-action case on behalf of ex-felons statewide and clear up the confusion over voting rights. At issue is a law passed by the Legislature that says felons who committed crimes of moral turpitude can’t vote, but other felons can. The law does not classify which crimes are in each category. In implementing the federal Help America Vote Act in 2006, Gov. Bob Riley had to develop a statewide voter registration computer database. In developing that database, Riley’s legal staff came up with a list of more than 400 felonies involving moral turpitude. That’s out of 575 felonies in Alabama. That list was used by county and state officials until recently to disqualify voters who were convicted of crimes. The Administrative Office of Courts developed a much shorter list of 70 felonies involving moral turpitude, and Attorney General Troy King issued an advisory opinion listing 28 crimes of moral turpitude. Some of those felonies have multiple levels, which pushes the total number of crimes to about 70. “You are asking me to have a role I shouldn’t have,” McCooey told the attorneys. She said she would issue an official ruling soon.
I bet when this is over! They will find a way that affects African American felons in a big way. I bet they are going to look at what and how African Americans commit crimes and base their rulings on it.
IT’s not about “what and how” blacks commit crimes, because we don’t. There are SOME of us who commit crimes, but there are some of EVERYBODY who does. But, no way is this to be taken as how “we” commit crimes. I’m not dissing, trust, just offering clarification. HOwever it goes, this is only on part of the problem: SWING STATES HAVE BEEN DELETING ELIGIBLE VOTERS! People need to look this up and spread the word!!!
I 110% Totally agree with lynn, this country has prospered and was built on the exploitation and genocide of african american families
Jlen:
This country was built on the backs of all different races. Get that straight. Immigrants from all over pushed this nation to where it is…businesses, government, land takeovers, etc.
There are more African American felons per capita than ANY other race. Obviously it’s going to affect the Blacks the most. But if one felon gets to vote, that will be one too many. I can see if the degree of the crime is low, or if the felon is almost about to become free, but anything more than that is too much. You commit crimes, and land in jail, you have NO freedom until you get out.
Blacks who constantly blame others, and not their own communities/people will never, never reach their goals. Never.
Extra !!!Extra!!Extra!!!…READ ALL ABOUT IT!!! THIS IS A SPECIAL REPORT WE HAVE A SERIOUS BRAKE DOWN IN OUR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM BETWEEN AFRICAN AMERICAN BLOGERS AND ASIAN BLOGERS !!!..SOME HOW WE HAVE BEEN INVADED BY NARROW MINDSET.’ PET EATTING’. PEOPLE THAT WANT TO TAKE OVER AND RULE…B.E.T..I REPEAT IF YOU HAVE A SUDDEN DECLINE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OF PETS!!!!..PLEASE BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR .’UMLAW THE SQUID!!! HE WAS LAST SEEN RUNNING DOWN MAIN STREET WITH WITH A DUCK AND A HATCHET!!! BLUE SOXS AND A YELLOW HAT!!! NO DRAWS OR OTHER CLOTHING ..IF YOU HAVE ANY PETS PLEASE PUT THEM AWAY!!!! THIS INCLUDES ..SNAKES ..WORMS..BEES..RATS..GERBELS..ROCAHES..ANTS.
lol lynn i couldnt say it any better umlaw is a bigot or just another tool of ingnorance that still lives in our society. Umlaw needs to get a life and get over the hate. cause all is does is motivates us to do better. obama 08