Number
191090
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. RAINEY, COGGS, LEWIS AND KOVAC
Title
Resolution supporting 2019 Wisconsin Senate Bill 348, relating to restoring the right to vote to certain persons barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction, changing the information required on voter registration forms, and changing voting procedure for certain persons who are convicted of felonies.
Analysis
This resolution supports 2019 Wisconsin Senate Bill 348 restoring the right to vote to certain persons barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction, changing the information required on voter registration forms and changing voting procedure for certain persons who are convicted of felonies. The resolution also directs the Department of Administration-Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby the State Legislature to enact such legislation.
Body
Whereas, Over 5.3 million Americans, and over 62,000 Wisconsinites, cannot vote because of a felony conviction; and
Whereas, The vast majority of disfranchised Americans are no longer incarcerated, but are living in their communities on probation or parole, and 2.1 million have fully completed their sentences; and
Whereas, The impact of felony disfranchisement falls disproportionately upon communities of color with nearly 13% of African American men disfranchised due to felony convictions, a rate that is seven times the national average of one out of 41 adults; and
Whereas, One out of 9 African-American voters is disfranchised in Wisconsin, compared to one out of 50 Wisconsin voters, giving Wisconsin the 11th highest rate of African-American disfranchisement in the United States; and
Whereas, Disfranchising persons after release from prison is antithetical to the reentry process and harmful to the long-term reintegration of ex-offenders into society; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of Milwaukee, that the City supports 2019 Wisconsin Senate Bill 348, restoring the right to vote to certain persons barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction, changing the information required on voter registration forms and changing voting procedure for certain persons who are convicted of felonies; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Administration-Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to lobby the State Legislature to enact such legislation; and, be it
Further Resolved, That Resolution File Number 180898 is amended by inserting the following item in the document attached to the file and identified as “AMENDED 2019-2020 State Legislative Detailed Proposals and Key Issues”:
|
Racial & Social Equity |
Common Council |
Change State law to restore the right of felons to vote, change information required on voter registration forms and voting procedure for persons who are convicted of felonies. |
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to each member of Milwaukee’s delegation to the State Legislature.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB175283-1
Christopher H. Hillard
10/14/2019