The Maryland Senate on Tuesday overrode Gov. Larry Hogan’s final veto from last year on legislation that would allow felons to vote before they complete probation or parole.
The Senate secured the exact three-fifths majority it needed to override the veto on the ex-felon voting rights bills, which now will become law in 30 days and affect about 40,000 people. The override was a show of strength by Democrats, who dominate both chambers of the General Assembly.
When Mr. Hogan issued his veto last year, he argued that felons should be expected to serve out their complete sentence before being given the right to vote again. He had pushed hard for his veto on this particular bill to be sustained.
Supporters of the legislation argued that changing the current requirements for felons to finish their full sentences, including probation and parole, before they can register to vote would help them rejoin society.
The vote had been delayed twice in order to ensure an empty seat in the Senate could be filled.
The legislation has been touted as helping solve deep-rooted racial issues, and senators pointed out that the disenfranchisement of persons on probation and parole disproportionately affects people of color.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Anjali Shastry over at the Washington Times
