# VA Gov. wants a literacy test for voting rights \[for ex-felons ed. title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 11, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774 "2010-04-11T22:09:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/1 "2010-04-11T22:09:03Z")
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is back in the news today after the kerfluffle over honoring the Confederacy. He plans to require ex-felons to compose an essay about their contributions to society in order to get their voting rights back. ([Cite.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/10/AR2010041001268.html)) He claims the new essay requirement is an effort to speed up the process of restoration of rights and to “put a human face on each applicant.” Both literacy tests and felony disenfranchisement have a nasty racial history. They were initially designed for the express purpose of disenfranchising black people. If you doubt the racial history of felony disenfranchisement or literacy testing, we can debate that sub-issue. But there is no doubt that any additional hurdles in the process of re-enfranchisement disproportionately affect black people, who are only a fraction of the state population but a majority of those facing disenfranchisement ([link](http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/218048)).\* While nearly every other state in the Union has moved away from permitting Governors to decide who gets to vote and who doesn’t, McDonnell apparently thinks the process needs to be more subjective. The question for debate is this: Do you buy his explanation, that it is intended to cut the time needed and to put a face on applicants? Is this a good faith effort to help ex-offenders restore their voting rights, or is it an attempt to reinvigorate the Southern Strategy while keeping a few likely Obama voters disenfranchised? - - This is largely because of the disproportionate conviction rate of black people for drug crimes even though drug use and distribution rates are the same across races. Indeed, Virginia specifically targets drug crimes for harsher voting rights treatment, further exacerbating the racial impact. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/2 "2010-04-11T22:15:45Z")
How many new votes would this be expected to produce? I’m guessing not many, BTW, I call foul on your deceptive thread title. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/3 "2010-04-11T22:21:03Z")
What’s the _current_ process, apparently in need of speeding up? Wait a few years, apply for a pardon? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/4 "2010-04-11T22:21:38Z")
**John Mace** , I don’t understand your question. Can you rephrase it? I stand by the title. To the extent anyone is misled, I think the opening paragraph pretty much clears it up. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/5 "2010-04-11T22:24:44Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > **John Mace** , I don’t understand your question. Can you rephrase it? It seems to me that this will produce so few new votes, that it’s hard to imagine making a difference in future elections. Hence, I’m not sure we need to posit a nefariou motive. But I could be wrong… are there any estimates of how many votes this will produce, and which way they would tend to go? > [@](#): > > I stand by the title. To the extent anyone is misled, I think the opening paragraph pretty much clears it up. Well, I’ll let it slide on the “teaser” rule. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/6 "2010-04-11T22:25:31Z")
HAWAII SURROUNDED by Pacific ocean. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/7 "2010-04-11T22:34:05Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > What’s the _current_ process, apparently in need of speeding up? Wait a few years, apply for a pardon? From the first cite: > [@](#): > > In Virginia, under a system designed by then-Gov. Mark R. Warner (D), felons convicted of nonviolent crimes have been able to apply to have their voting rights restored by filling out a one-page form with information about their arrest and conviction. Bernard Henderson, who served as deputy secretary of the commonwealth under Warner and his successor, Timothy M. Kaine (D), said voting rights were restored to applicants who had clean records for three years after their sentences were completed. He said that restoration was not automatic but that rights were restored to about 95 percent of those who applied. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > It seems to me that this will produce so few new votes, that it’s hard to imagine making a difference in future elections. Hence, I’m not sure we need to posit a nefariou motive. But I could be wrong… are there any estimates of how many votes this will produce, and which way they would tend to go? If you’re asking how many votes would have been restored under the old process as compared the new process with the essay, I don’t think there’s any way to answer the question. Currently, over a quarter million black residents of Virginia are not allowed to vote. Given the great quantity of people being churned through the justice system, even a change of a couple of percentage points would mean thousands of votes. p.s. I really don’t see the complaint about the title. Is your objection that it only applies to ex-offenders? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/8 "2010-04-11T22:51:42Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > p.s. I really don’t see the complaint about the title. Is your objection that it only applies to ex-offenders? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/9 "2010-04-11T23:03:31Z")
Virginia already requires an essay for violent felons requesting [reinstatement of civil rights](http://www.c-ville.com/index.php?cat=141404064431134&ShowArticle_ID=11431905083135948): > [@](#): > > After waiting five years after all court obligations, a person convicted of a violent felony must obtain a burdensome collection of paperwork: a letter from your most recent probation or parole officer, copies of your pre- or post-sentence report, certified copies of every order of conviction and sentencing orders, three letters of reference and, to top it off, a personal letter to the Governor explaining your convictions and how your life has changed. I am a little surprised that states allow exfelons to get their voting rights back. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/10 "2010-04-11T23:13:04Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Virginia already requires an essay for violent felons requesting [reinstatement of civil rights](http://www.c-ville.com/index.php?cat=141404064431134&ShowArticle_ID=11431905083135948): > > I am a little surprised that states allow exfelons to get their voting rights back. That’s for violent felons. The new rules would be for non-violent felons. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/11 "2010-04-11T23:18:44Z")
Very deceptive thread title. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/12 "2010-04-11T23:22:42Z")
Agreed on the title. I came into this thread with my thoughts immediately jumping to the racist voting laws the United States used to have. I was all geared up to be offended and stuff. Disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/13 "2010-04-11T23:25:42Z")
America hates it’s…what might be the expression?..criminal class? With a virulence that borders on the breath taking. We know our prisons are all too frequently machines for producing violently paranoid psychopaths out of misfits and bums. We know so much about prison rape that it is a common theme in our humor. We seldom make even the slightest pretense that we might wish to salvage these potential citizens, and we are perfectly content to make the petty thief the daily victim of the murderer. Because they deserve it, I suppose. Those few voices that speak for their humanity are howling in the wilderness, they will not be heard, and if heard, scorned. Whatever progress made in that will be trivial and fleeting. But enough. As one committed to democracy, it is my opinion that voting is the holy grail of our secular devotion. I believe that we should extend every reasonable effort to ensure as many of our citizens can vote, will vote, and are equipped to vote. Anything less falls short of the mark. Following on that, I expect that voting rights are returned whenever the sentence, including such probation as merited, is complete. If we do not let them know that we believe that change is possible and redemption feasible, what reason can we offer them to change other than divine inspiration, which is so unreliable? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/14 "2010-04-11T23:27:28Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > That’s for violent felons. The new rules would be for non-violent felons. I know. I mean, it’s not as big a change as suggested in the OP (certainly not as much as in the title!), because some felons already have to write an essay. He’s just expanding that. ---
**Author:** ![emacknight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ec8ea/32.png) [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/15 "2010-04-11T23:39:46Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Very deceptive thread title. Could we get a mod to add the word “apparently” to the title? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/16 "2010-04-11T23:51:42Z")
Jesus. I should have known there’d be more conflict over the lack of specificity in the thread title than over the disenfranchisement of a few hundred more black men in the South. Fine. Mea culpa. If a mod wants to change the thread title to “VA Gov. wants a literacy test for restoration of non-violent ex-offender voting rights,” and if that title will fit, I’d be much obliged if you’d make the edit. > [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Virginia already requires an essay for violent felons requesting [reinstatement of civil rights](http://www.c-ville.com/index.php?cat=141404064431134&ShowArticle_ID=11431905083135948): I am a little surprised that states allow exfelons to get their voting rights back. So you think this is a good idea? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/17 "2010-04-12T00:18:40Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > I am a little surprised that states allow exfelons to get their voting rights back. Two states don’t take them away at all, felons may vote from prison. Most other states allow them to vote after (this varies) completing prison, probation, or parole. Only twelve remove voting rights permanently, and even then not necessarily for all felons. [From here.](http://felonvoting.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000286) ---
**Author:** ![2sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e47774/32.png) [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/18 "2010-04-12T00:23:21Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Following on that, I expect that voting rights are returned whenever the sentence, including such probation as merited, is complete. If we do not let them know that we believe that change is possible and redemption feasible, what reason can we offer them to change other than divine inspiration, which is so unreliable? IMO this is too conservative. Mentally incompetent people don’t belong in prison so there is no excuse to remove voting rights from people in prison. Not that I propose to debate my position but rather use it to explain my opposition to the Governor’s proposal on the assumption that it would further limit the franchise. Though if we don’t debate basic positions there might not be much of a thread. If you favor limiting the franchise you like the move if not, not. Is there anyone this doesn’t apply to? Anyone who thinks the franchise is generally too liberal that dislikes it or too restrictive that doesn’t? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Lurker\_Above](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@The\_Lurker\_Above](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Lurker_Above)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/19 "2010-04-12T00:39:16Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > I am a little surprised that states allow exfelons to get their voting rights back. Is there actually a good reason to take away the right to vote from those in prison or with felony records? To me the right to vote is so fundamental that I’d allow all adult citizens (and I’d be willing to drop the voting age to somewhere around 14ish) to vote; no matter what their crimes. I’d probably want them to vote absentee in the riding they were resident in before incarceration, otherwise large prisons might be a problem locally. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774/20 "2010-04-12T00:40:32Z")
[State Voting Laws & Policies for People with Felony Convictions - Felon Voting - ProCon.org](http://felonvoting.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000286) Here is the list of how each state treats its felons. In 2004 one in 8 blacks were not allowed to vote because of felonies or being jailed. In Alabama, Mississippi, west Virginia ,Wyoming and Florida ,one in 4 blacks could not vote. Some states require the governor to pardon a felon so he or she can vote. It is about race. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-gov-wants-a-literacy-test-for-voting-rights-for-ex-felons-ed-title/535774.md?page=2)