Voting Rights Victory in WA
by TChris
Democracies depend upon citizens exercising their right to vote. Arbitrary deprivations of that right undermine democracy. Judge Michael Spearman in King County, Washington, stood up for democracy by declaring unconstitutional a state law that denied ex-offenders the right to vote if they failed to pay "any and all legal financial obligations" required by their sentences.
"There is simply no rational relationship between the ability to pay and the exercise of constitutional rights," the judge, Michael S. Spearman of King County Superior Court, wrote.
Denying the right to vote to people who simply can't afford to make prompt payment of (often burdensome) fines, court costs, and restitution payments violates their right to equal protection of the law. Judge Spearman noted that Washington was unable to explain why defendants with enough wealth to make immediate payment should have the right to vote, while poorer defendants who had to rely on payment plans should be deprived of that right.
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