Mississippi: state judge hears suit challenging felon disfranchisement
The Jackson Clarion Ledger reports: A Hinds County chancery judge will hold a hearing before this year's elections on the ACLU's lawsuit accusing the state of denying voting rights to people convicted of certain felony crimes.
Chancery Judge William Singletary refused this month to dismiss the lawsuit filed last year by the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi on behalf of two residents with a felony conviction. ...
The plaintiffs, Leola Strickland and Michael Johnson, allege state and federal laws were violated when the number of felony crimes that disqualify a person from being able to vote was increased from 10 to 21 in 2004. Also, they claim the state's refusal to allow any individuals convicted of the original 10 crimes listed in the state Constitution from voting in federal elections for president and vice president is illegal. ...
The state submitted its answer to the lawsuit last week, stating that a mail-in voter registration form with the 21 disenfranchising crimes was submitted to the U.S. Attorney General in January 2005 and precleared in accordance with Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. -- Judge will hear felons' claim that they should be allowed to vote -The Clarion-Ledger- Real Mississippi