Hillary Clinton Says Voting Rights Should Be Restored To All Felons (Video)

During a town hall meeting held on “Good Morning America” yesterday, Hillary Clinton said she favors a federal effort to assure that convicted felons who serve their sentences get their voting rights back when they reenter society. Clinton said that would be one of her main proposals for criminal justice reform if she is elected President:

“One, divert people away from the criminal justice system because too many people are in for low-level, non-violent offenses. Secondly, we have got address the unequal effects of the criminal justice system on people of color, particularly African-American men because it is just wrong and it is a result of systemic racism … we have to have more second chance opportunities…Once you’ve paid your debt to society, your voting rights should be returned immediately.”

The former Secretary of State joins another former Clinton cabinet official in calling for a restoration of voting rights to felons. Former Attorney General Eric Holder has said:

“It is time to fundamentally reconsider laws that permanently disenfranchise people who are no longer under federal or state supervision. By perpetuating the stigma and isolation imposed on formerly incarcerated individuals, these laws increase the likelihood they will commit future crimes.”

At this moment in the United States, according to data from the Sentencing Project, 12 states have laws on the books which permanently disenfranchise convicted felons. 5.85 million Americans–2.5 percent of the voting age population–are currently unable to vote due to a felony conviction. And 75 percent of the 5.85 million who are disenfranchised are out of prison and living within their communities.

Here’s Clinton on “Good Morning America:”

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