I second Roger’s praise of Maryland governor Hogan’s veto of a bill that would automatically restore voting rights to felons as soon as they walk out of prison. The rules vary widely by state, and I don’t think anyone should be automatically re-enfranchised after a felony conviction. Senator Rand Paul’s Civil Rights Voting Restoration Act would have done just that for non-violent felons.
But given that such a large share of, especially, our black fellow citizens is formally disenfranchised because of past criminality, it behooves conservatives for both policy and political reasons to give the issue of re-enfranchisement more thought. One approach that might work as a policy matter in politically reintegrating those released felons who are interested — and also send a message of openness to the penitent — would be to follow the example of naturalization of immigrants.
While the reasons differ, both felons and resident foreigners are excluded from participation in political life. The way foreigners overcome this exclusion is by ceasing to be foreigners through acquisition of U.S. citizenship.They do this by passing a basic test (probably a little too basic) on U.S. history and civics and by demonstrating (in most cases) a basic ability to read, write, and understand English. Once they swear the Oath of Allegiance, they are enfranchised as citizens of the United States.
Following this model for released felons would have a number of benefits. It would send the message that re-enfranchisement is not merely a matter of paperwork but of a moral readmission to the political community. It would teach some elementary civics and history that the ex-cons probably never learned in school. And if accompanied by a certificate of some kind, it could signal to potential employers that the bearer might be a cut above the average ex-con.
The lefty groups pushing to accelerate and simplify re-enfranchisement won’t like this for at least two reasons: Their goal is electing more Democrats, pure and simple, and anything that might stand in the way is unacceptable. And more fundamentally, they don’t particularly like America, and requiring a victim of The Man to pass a history test not written by Howard Zinn is repellent.
But such a proposal isn’t directed at them. Ordinary Americans — especially black Americans — recognize the public-safety benefits of locking up felons, but also want to see a willingness to address the less salutary side effects of widespread incarceration. The naturalization process offers a model that is not automatic, but is nonetheless open to anyone willing to expend a little effort.