ACLU Lose Case For Criminals To Vote

Posted on July 31, 2006

The ACLU lose in an attempt to use the courts to overturn a state law in Colorado.

The American Civil Liberties Union’s Colorado chapter challenged the law on behalf of two nonprofit groups and Michael Danielson of Fort Collins. Danielson was paroled in 2003 following a conviction on drug and theft charges.

Attorneys for Danielson, the Colorado Criminal Justice Coalition and Colorado-CURE argued the state law violates state Constitution. They say prisoners’ voting rights should be restored when they are released from prison — even if they are still on parole.

But in an unanimous opinion, the justices said convicted felons have not served their full sentence until all components, including parole, are completed.

The courts decision pretty much speaks for itself. The ACLU attempted to push its agenda for convicted criminals to vote who have not completely payed their debt to society. The states have every right to determine the price to be payed for the privilege to vote. The ACLU attempted to overturn this in favor of their own radical agenda and got slapped down. This was a good call from this court in upholding states rights. When people violate the boundaries that society has decided to set they should lose the ability in being a part of the decision in electing who creates those very boundaries. They should not regain these privileges until they have adequately proven to the satisfaction of the society that they have earned them back.