“Denial of the right to vote and run for political office to those who have served out felony sentences is an attack on the rights of the working class and should be opposed by all working people and supporters of democratic and civil rights,” Hoeppner said in an August 7 statement.

Hoeppner pointed out that more than 150,000 people, 3.7 percent of the voting population in Washington state—more than double the national average—are denied voting rights because they served time on a felony conviction. Individuals cannot vote while they are on parole or probation, or until they pay sometimes onerous court costs.

“These restrictions serve to disenfranchise working people who are Black in disproportionate numbers,” Hoeppner continued. “While Blacks make up only 3 percent of the state’s population, 22 percent of those incarcerated here are Black. One in four African-American men in Washington are not allowed to vote.”

Nationwide, 1.4 million people who completed their sentences are barred from voting because of similar restrictions, the Socialist Workers candidate noted.

Prosecutors are challenging Tahir-Garrett’s voter registration, raising the threat of a new felony charge that he “knowingly signed a false statement” on the voter registration document that says he was “not presently denied any civil rights as the result of being convicted of a felony.” Tahir-Garrett was convicted in 2002 on a second-degree assault charge of striking then-mayor Paul Schell with a bullhorn.

“The Socialist Workers Party calls for overturning all anti-democratic laws limiting the right to vote and run for political office,” Hoeppner declared. “We back the right of Tahir-Garrett to remain on the ballot and oppose any criminal charges against him for registering to vote.”
 
 
Related articles:
Atlanta: thousands march to extend Voting Rights Act
Protest new Georgia law requiring photo ID to vote
1.4 million with past felony sentences are barred from voting
Socialists on L.A. ballot for city council  
 
 
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