Hello:

I'm an exconvict. That notwithstanding, I wish to be a productive and participating member of society. Toward that end, I vote.

Now, I really don't know if I'm legally allowed to vote, and I don't want to commit more crimes. However, I've tried to research it, but I've come up with nothing.

When I registered, I told the registrar of my background. She said that as long as I was off parole, I was eligible. But, I don't believe her. (I don't like getting legal advice from bureaucrats.)

My voter pamphlet says, I'm eligible if I've had my voting rights restored. Upon doing some more research, I find that in my state, as soon as you're off supervision, your rights are automatically restored. But, I don't believe that either.

Plus, I'm not sure if they were ever taken away in this state, because I've NEVER been convicted in this state. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me to write the other state and ask for my voting rights to be restored, because I'm not going to vote there. However, if that's what YOU, my fellow experts, think I should do, then I will.

However, I've also been convicted of a federal offense. Does that mean I can't vote anywhere??

Help me, I'm convicted and confused.

excon

As strange as it seems most voting laws are still state laws, not national laws. A hold over from the states right time. Voting has been one issue that has not really been revised. So yes a state may allow someone's rights to be restored as soon as they are off probation if the wish, ( I would want to see the statue of course)

But of course in TN we have a large dead voting block in Memphis this last election so if they dead can vote why not excons

Or trade your ID with an illegal aliens ID cause I heard they vote with no problem!

Why not just steal someone's identity and vote using their name? You are, after all, an excon, so this should not provide any moral trouble for you. Just don't get caught this time!!

:) :) :)

Hello jillian:

I knew that I would be subjected to a certain amount of abuse due to my chosen name. And, I have - from 1st time users and people who come and go here...

But, of the long timers here, you're the first to make such assumptions about me and then lob some baseless insults as a result. I actually thought you had a little more class than that. Guess not.

We're done.

excon

I apologize, excon, my comments were meant to be taken as a joke, I did not intend to insult you. I hope you accept my apology, as I am truly sorry and do not wish to offend anyone on this site, most of all someone with whom I have had excellent conversations with multiple times. Again, I apologize.

My honest advice is to seek consult with someone who might be "in the know". This could be an individual at the voter's registration office, or possibly your local library will have additional information. You say you don't like taking advice from bureaucrats, and given the potential for them to be wrong/misleading, I can understand that. However, if the information remains consistent between many of them and their channels (published documents, for example), in my opinion, that makes things a little more credible. Of course the other option would be to seek the advice of a lawyer whom you choose personally, so you trust what they have to say.