Voting Rights for Ex-Prisoners: Secretary of State Adopts FCWPP Language for Voter Affidavit

Jan. 2012: Through persistent advocacy, FCWPP has finally been instrumental in convincing the office of the Secretary of State to revise the language on the ballot-envelope affidavit that has been misleading for ex-prisoners -- adopting essentially the language that FCWPP has recommended.

Success in changing public policy often requires monitoring the implementation of legislation, as well as working to pass it in the first place.  In 2009, lobbying by FCWPP and our allied organizations helped pass into law the restoration of voting rights to ex-prisoners.  Yet until now the affidavit on the ballot envelope, which every voter must sign under penalty of perjury, continued to include the statement that “I am not ineligible to vote due to a felony conviction.”  This statement gave the misleading impression that anyone convicted of a felony could not vote, contrary to the 2009 law.

Under the recent decision from the Secretary of State the declaration will be changed – starting with the 2012 Primary -- to a simple factual statement as proposed by FCWPP: “I am not under the authority of the Department of Corrections for a Washington felony conviction.” The law states that voting rights are restored after a prisoner is no longer under of the authority of the DOC.

For over two years, FCWPP lobbied the Secretary of State’s office, pointing out the discrepancy between the law and the ballot statement and advocating the language change.  In addition to correspondence and meeting with the Assistant Director of Elections, FCWPP drafted a letter to the Secretary of State and brought the issue to the attention of Rep. Mary Helen Roberts, who obtained the signatures of twelve members of the State Legislature in addition to that of FCWPP.  It appears that our arguments carried the day ... although it took a while before our contention that the ballot declaration was misleading was recognized.

FCWPP hopes that this change in the language in the affidavit will lead to increased numbers of ex-prisoners fulfilling their right to vote as restored in the 2009 law.  This symbol of participation in society by ex-prisoners is one step toward reintegration as productive citizens.  How appropriate that this news came to us on Martin Luther King Day!

Statement on Domestic Partner benefits--Referendum 71

The Friends Committee on Washington State Public Policy (FCWPP) recommends approval of Referendum 71, affirming the adoption of SB 5688 by the Washington State Legislature in 2009 to extend to domestic partners all of the legal benefits afforded to married persons.

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MISGUIDED ANTI-TERRORISM BILLS STILL GOING STRONG

House Bill 2879 creating new terrorism crimes and expanding the death penalty, and House Bill 2416 greatly expanding wiretap authority in anti-terrorism investigations, passed the House with large majorities in mid-February. Call your Representatives, ask them to Vote NO on Senate Bill 6704, when it gets to the House Floor. Tell them you support using existing laws to investigate and prosecute terrorism.

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Task force to examine issues of depleted uranium and hazardous substance exposure for the National Guard

The Senate Budget has included our task force concept to examine issues of depleted uranium and hazardous substance exposure for the National Guard. The House Budget does not contain corresponding language. The next step in the process is a Joint Committee of the House and Senate to reconcile the two bills. Our last and only chance is to get the senate language included into the Joint Bill.

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Prison Industries Bill / Committee to Review Offender Programs / Protect our National Guard from DU

There are three bills that require immediate action this week if they are going to survive. 1. Prison Industries Bill. 2. Help Create a Committee to Review Offender Programs. 3. The bill to protect our National Guard from DU is still alive.

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Criminal Justice and Mental Health Alert: PBS Frontline Program and bill E2SSB 5763 awaits Governor’s Signature

PBS Frontline is presenting a program on how the mentally ill people end up incarcerated in our prison system. The Omnibus Treatment of Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders Act Of 2005 (E2SSB 5763), which passed the legislature, contains provisions that address these issues. This bill is currently awaiting approval by Governor Gregoire. Among other things, the bill provides an option for counties to establish mental health courts (and expand on the concept of drug courts) to divert people with these problems out of the criminal justice system and into appropriate treatment.

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Patriot Act Alert

Tuesday, March 1, hearings will be held by both Houses of the Washington State Legislature on Joint Memorials expressing concern about the USA Patriot Act and urging Congress to place restrictions on it.

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Help Stop The Unnecessary, Expensive and Extreme Eco-terrorism Bill

Contact your senator, tell them that you are a constituent and that you think SB 6114 is too expensive, extreme and unnecessary, and urge them to oppose it. If you live in the districts of Senators Kline and Thibadeau, send them your thanks for opposing SB 6114 in the Judiciary committee.

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Ask the Speaker not to pass House Bill 1210

House Bill 1210, this year's version of so-called Anti-Terrorism legislation, should not pass out of the House Rules committee. We must encourage Rules committee members by Wednesday, especially Frank Chopp who is the Speaker of the House and the Chair of the committee, NOT TO PASS HB 1210.

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ANTI-TERRORISM BILL, DEFEATED LAST YEAR, IS REINTRODUCED AND SCHEDULED FOR HEARING

House Bill 1210 is a bill essentially identical to last year’s anti-terrorism legislation, which was brought to a vote in the House by majority Democrats and passed, but later blocked in the Democratic majority Senate. This year, the Senate is in Republican control. This year’s version will be heard in the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee at 1:30 on Wednesday the 5th. The bill is bad law and doesn’t protect us from terrorism.

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2002 Legislative Update

The 2002 Session of the Washington State Legislature ended with reasons for Friends to be encouraged. Please share the news with your Meetings and Worship Groups.

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HOUSE VERSION OF ANTI-TERRORISM BILL REFUSED BY SENATE

On Tuesday the 12th the State Senate refused to concur with House-amended Senate Bill 6704 by a vote of 32-13. The bill was immediately returned to the House, which appears ready to stand firm on its amendments, which replaced all of the more carefully crafted language offered by prime sponsor Senator Adam Kline with language from House bills 2879 and 2416. The bill can continue to move back and forth before session ends, and messages of appreciation are still needed, especially for the Senate leaders who opposed the amended bill. Brief messages work best Friends can be thankful that the death penalty was not expanded in this state and that due process and the rights of the accused remain intact in state law.

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ANTI-TERRORISM BILL PASSES HOUSE

Senate Bill 6704, which in its current form creates new terrorism crimes, expands the application of the death penalty, and expands police surveillance authority, passed the House 70 to 23 on Wednesday. Brief messages by you on Friday or early Saturday will make a difference.

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YOUR VOICE NEEDED IN OLYMPIA!

State Legislators need to hear from you on several pieces of legislation that have survived initial deadlines for passage. Immediate action is required on a package of "anti-terrorism" bills that resemble aspects of the Patriot Act passed by Congress at the Federal level. Here in Washington State, House Bill 2879 would define new terrorism crimes, House Bill 2416 would expand wiretap authority, and House Bill 2411 would restrict access to government records. Call your Representatives and urge them to VOTE YES on 2nd Substitute House Bill 2338, revising sentences for drug offenses.

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