Delaware is moving closer to expanding voting rights for convicted felons. A proposed amendment would eliminate a five-year waiting period for eligible felons and allow them to vote once they’ve completed their sentences. The amendment would not cover all felons. Those convicted of the most serious crimes, like murder, would not be eligible. The amendment’s sponsor, Rep. Helene Keeley, D-Wilmington, says the ball is at the fifty. They want it in the end zone.
Delaware requires an amendment to pass in one session then pass again in the next to get into the constitution. This proposal passed for the first time last session.
Santo Viruet, David McCorkle and Jimmie Major are hanging out at House of Pride in downtown Dover. They all are ex-convicts. They all committed felonies. And they all have felt the impact of not being able to vote in Delaware. “As a citizen of this country,” said McCorkle. “I do believe that as a citizen of this country, I should get my right to vote back.”
“That’s wrong,” Viruet said. “I’m a human being just like you’re a human being. When is enough enough?”
“I made a mistake in life,” Major said. “I paid my debt. I’m back in society. I’m doing right. Why do you want to continue to punish a person?”
“Someone who at the age of 18 made a mistake,” said Rep. Keeley. “They’ve served their time, they’ve done everything that our system has asked them to do, then I think they should have the right to vote again.”
Full Article: Plan to Expand Voting Rights for Convicts in Del. Moving Forward – WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 –.