Collateral Consequences

In a 6-3 decision, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that barring people with felony convictions from voting until all fines and fees were paid was constitutional. The decision in Madison v. State (No. 78598-8) overturns a previous King County Superior Court decision favorable to the rights of people with felony convictions.

A new report from the Partnership for Safety and Justice, "Access Denied in Oregon," shows that people with past felony convictions in Oregon aren't getting the help they need to successfully re-enter society -- and that means they're more likely to go back to prison.

Over 650,000 people leave state and federal prison every year and millions more leave local jails. The transition back to the community is far from welcoming for most returning prisoners. Formerly incarcerated people are stigmatized and stereotyped, and face a range of laws and policies that undermine their ability to become active and productive citizens. Finding permanent employment is just one of the many challenges formerly incarcerated people have when re-entering the community.

There is a long tradition in this country of denying adults the right to vote for various reasons. Most of us have a direct connection to a group of people who at some point were not allowed to vote, whether based on race, sex, immigration status, or social standing.

The original Bill of Rights, for example...

Should you have to pay to vote? That’s the question winding its way up the Washington state court system this year. Washington’s criminal legal system has created a two-tiered system, where two people charged with the same crime may serve the same prison sentence and be forced to pay the same fines, but one person will have his or her right to vote restored sooner than the other. The difference between these two people? Their ability to pay.