I have recently read something that comes from a credible source saying that in the state of Idaho Felons do have the right to vote. I had heard this same thing many months ago so I had it in the back of my mind, but never check further. I do know that it was something that made the news and it was said that not even the election commity was aware of this. The first thing that came to mind was they are trying to keep this a hush hush thing to keep felons from voting. If my memory serves me correct the news I heard did say that felons DIDN'T have to be free from probation or parole. They just couldnt be incarcerated. After doing some searching tonight I have come up with 3 differant, but very similar interperations of this.

1) Felons can vote as long as they arent incarcerated

2) Felons could vote AFTER they are free from probation/parole

3) Felons can vote AFTER Civil Rights are restored

Now by reading #2 it looks as if once they are off paper there is nothing left to do. By reading # 3 it makes it sound as if there is a process to go through to get your rights restored.

Now I am almost certain that what I heard on the news several months back was either # 1 or 2. The way I see it is that #3 is basicly the same as #2, but they are trying to trick one into thinking that they have no rights until someone has done something specific to give them back. Is it just me or is this wording purposly done to confuse people?


You might be interested to know that #1 came from a well know advocate source here in Idaho. The president of this group has a son in prison and makes it her business to know all there is to know about Idaho inmates. #2 came from a google search on Idaho voting rights. Lastly #3 is the most confusing and maybe misleading one of all and it came right from the state of Idahos voting information page.

There was a email on the state of Idahos page and I have emailed then and asked for clarification of this and any document or links they could provide

I think it is a national law. Felons do have the right to vote once they have completed all of the punishment phase of their conviction (ie. prison, jail, parole, probation.)
I recently read this also about Texas when reading about registering to vote at a new address.

Rather its national or not it is certainly something that is kept quiet. I hear felons all the time say things like "why should I care because I'll never be able to vote again". That is so not true and the word needs to get out. Both my mom and my cousin work the voting booths every year and they didnt even know about this. Right before the elections the booth operators have to attend a training session and this is something that wasnt covered. I do remember the news saying that a lot of the election commity and booth operators didnt know about this. It just leaves me to think their hiding this.

Heres the old news article that I first heard of this.

Some counties may not let felons vote

02:14 PM MDT on Monday, August 25, 2003

Associated Press

BOISE -- Some county officials may be wrongly preventing felons from voting in Idaho.

Under state law, people convicted of any felony besides treason can vote once they have completed their sentence, including probation or parole.

But The Idaho Statesman contacted all 44 counties in Idaho, and election officials at nearly one third of them excluded felons from the voting booth or did not know the law.

Election workers in some counties wrongly said felons permanently lose the right to vote. Others said it takes special permission or paperwork to restore a person's voting rights, which is NOT true.

Secretary of State Ben Ysursa is the state's chief elections official. He was disappointed by the findings.

The election officials get regular training, and Ysursa says he will raise the issue again at training session next month.

Tanya in Idaho ex felons can vote, but there are many states they can't I believe there is about 40 states or so they can't, it is a state thing.

softie

I am just distubed by the fact that the felons are mislead by what their rights are. There are so many here that think they cant vote. I'm very naive in this great big world and now I'm starting to wonder what else our inmates are mislead about. Do they have other rights that are being kept from them

Here is some facts about voting that i could come up with.

four states allow felons to vote while they are in prison, 18 allow felons to vote while they are on parole and 21 allow them to vote while on probation. Only 10 states permanently disenfranchise all felons and another handful do so to some ex-offenders or restore the ability to vote after a time limit.


I think they kind of figure it is up to the inmates to find out. Kind of if you aren't asking I ain't telling. I do believe not to many years ago once a felon you had no right to vote, but some of that has changed.

softie

I think they kind of figure it is up to the inmates to find out. Kind of if you aren't asking I ain't telling. I do believe not to many years ago once a felon you had no right to vote, but some of that has changed.

softie
So that would explain why the ones I know that were locked up for many years or years ago still have no clue they can vote. Is what is irritating is they lock these guys up and keep them out of the loops, but they change the laws and dont tell anyone. Your so right about it being if you dont ask I wont tell. The problem is on some of this they change it, but go out of their way to keep it a secret from everyone. Even employees within the agency.

I do know that the felons I know now will be provided the facts on this. Once Chris comes home I'm sure that there will be others who would like to hear this info. Maybe none of them will care to vote or not, but at least it will be their choice

I guess I'm on another one of my "I'm gonna save the world" kicks tonight

Idaho Code 18-310 (2) says: “Upon final discharge, a person convicted of any Idaho felony shall be restored the full rights of citizenship, except that for persons convicted of treason” or for people who commit certain crimes, the right to own or possess a firearm is not restored

Final discharge means “satisfactory completion of imprisonment, probation and parole as the case may be.”