• “The denial of voting rights to ex-offenders is a vestige from a time when suffrage was denied to whole classes of our population based on race, gender, religion, national origin and property. Our nation not only fails people with felony convictions by denying them the right to vote, we fail the rest of our society that has struggled throughout American history to ensure that our citizenry be part of legitimate and inclusive elections. It is long overdue that these restrictions be relegated to the dustbin of history.” Source: Rep. Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, New York, District 10)
• “The United States is one of the few Western democracies that allow the permanent denial of voting rights for individuals with felony convictions… Voting is a fundamental right of citizenship. Under our constitution, there is no legitimate justification for denying people who have paid their dues from having a voice in our democracy.” Source: Sen. Ben Cardin (Democrat, Maryland)
• “Once someone pays their debt to society, they’re out there expected to pay taxes, they’re expected to abide by the law, they’re expected to support themselves and their families. I think that means they’ve got a right to vote.” Source: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, Massachusetts)