U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

2003 NEWS RELEASES, PRESS ADVISORIES AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION JOURNAL PRESAGES FLORIDA FELON VOTING RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Corporate Diversity Article and Racial Profiling Examination Round Out Publication

Washington, DC - An article in the most recent edition of Civil Rights Journal published by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, calls for the restoration of voting rights to felons who have completed their prison terms. The essay presaged the recent agreement to restore voting rights to felons in Florida, and draws attention to the 12 remaining states that disenfranchise felons for life after a conviction.

Authored by Sentencing Project Assistant Director Marc Mauer, the essay contends that racial disparities in the criminal justice system cause felon disenfranchisement to have a disproportionate impact on Black voting power. Mauer estimates that "13 percent of African American males are now disenfranchised."

The Civil Rights Journal provides valuable information on a wide range of current civil rights issues. This issue includes the following topics:

Full text of the Journal is available online at /pubs/crj/wint02.pdf.

Hard copies are available by calling 202/376-8128 or e-mailing publications@usccr.gov

07/31/03