A state Senator from Augusta would like to see state officials restore voting rights to non-violent felons.
As the 2019 session of the Georgia General Assembly came to a close earlier this month, Senate Resolution 153, sponsored by Sen. Harold Jones II (D-Augusta) was adopted in the Senate.
According to Senate officials, the resolution creates the Senate Study Committee on Revising Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felony Offenders.
“For several years, I have worked hard in the Senate to restore the rights of non-violent felony offenders to participate in the voting process,” said Sen. Jones. “Too often, we see young people make mistakes that come at the cost of their voting rights for the remainder of their lives. While removing the voting prohibition for all felony offenders is not the way forward, progress can be made in restoring voting rights to non-violent offenders.
“I am eager to get to work in this study committee so we can keep the conversation going on ensuring everyone has fair access to participate in their democracy,” he added.
The Senate Study Committee on Revising Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felony Offenders will be composed of five members who will be appointed by Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. They will be charged with determining which crimes fit the “moral turpitude” standard and, therefore, restrict the offender’s right to vote. The Lt. Governor will also designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.
The resolution states that “Georgia forbids all felons from voting because all felonies are considered a crime of moral turpitude; and WHEREAS, Georgia statutes, Constitution, and case law do not define a crime of moral turpitude; and WHEREAS, Georgia has been committed to criminal justice reform, and part of this reform effort should be to integrate citizens into the community.”
