Ever Wonder What Your Voting Rights Are?

By- Hermise Pierre, Esq.: Owner of The Pierre Law Firm, LLC

Although it is not mandatory, voting gives Americans the power to choose their leaders at various levels of government, local school boards to the state and federal congresses to the president. In the United States, voting is a right and privilege protected by the U.S. Constitution. The Fifteenth Amendment prohibited U.S. citizens from having their right to vote abridged or denied due to race, color, or previous condition of servitude, and the Nineteenth Amendment provided women the right to vote.

Congress enacted federal laws that protect your right to vote. For instance, the Civil Rights Act of 1957 prohibited the states from denying anyone the right to register to vote and voting based on race. Congress later passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to protect minority voters from systemic processes that prevented and intimidated minorities from exercising their right to vote. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited unfair voting practices such as literacy tests and other repressive voting tactics. Unfortunately, in 2013, the protective measures implemented to combat voting discrimination was dealt a setback by the U.S. Supreme Court. In Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court held that Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. This decision now allows states and local municipalities with a history of discrimination against minority voters the ability to change their election laws and procedure without federal review and approval and without showing that they do not have a discriminatory purpose or effect.

Do You Need an ID to Vote?

Thirty-three (33) states have some form of voter identification requirement. In my home state of Georgia, residents are required to show photo identification when voting in person. However, in Virginia, voters can produce a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document containing their name and address.

How to ensure your vote counts!

If you were told you do not have acceptable identification, request a provisional ballot. Before heading to the polls, check with your local government to determine what identification you will need on voting day and what to do if you do not currently have that type of identification your state requires.

If you are voting by mail, read the instructions carefully as some states require that you submit acceptable identification documents and a signature that matches your voter registration, along with your absentee ballot. Some states require two envelopes, each with signatures.  Read carefully!

Are Convicted Felons Allowed to Vote?

Most states reinstate a felon’s right to vote upon the completion of their sentence, parole, and/or probation. In Michigan, felons lose their right to vote while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration upon release. In Florida, felons must serve their sentence, and finish paying any fees and fine before their voting rights are restored, and individuals convicted of murder or sexual offenses are permanently barred and must apply to the governor for voting rights restoration. Lastly, in Vermont, felons never lose their right to vote, even while they are incarcerated.

For more information about the author: https://www.pierre-law.com/ or call (770) 807-1105.