The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts spoke out today against Measure Number Two, a ballot initiative that would amend the Massachusetts Constitution to prohibit incarcerated felons from voting in elections for numerous state and federal offices. Now, for the first time in its history, there is a strong possibility that we will actually diminish rather than enhance rights granted by the state constitution. Under the Massachusetts Constitution, both convicted and incarcerated felons now have the right to vote.
Inmates vote via absentee ballot.
Those in favor of the policy argue that Massachusetts should get in step with the majority. But the ACLU said such action would be alien to a state that has always been the model for expansive rights. Disenfranchising people while they are in prison works against this interest by discouraging them from participating positively in the life of the community. Currently, 3.9 million Americans are disqualified from voting because of an inconsistent patchwork of state laws that disenfranchise citizens who have been convicted of a felony. Experts believe that in seven states one in four black men has permanently lost the right to vote.