Virginia Sheriff- Registering Inmates to Vote

Virginia Sheriff- Registering Inmates to Vote

www.wtopnews.com

Inmates at the Fairfax County jail were encouraged to register and vote last week by elections officials making what the county's sheriff called the first visit of its kind in his 30 years with the county.

That voter turnout effort is now being defended by county officials, but blasted by Republicans who called it an attempt to influence what could be a close presidential election in the commonwealth.

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It should be noted that the Sheriff, Stan Berry, is a Democrat. Also, in regards to the County Officials, the Board of Supervisors is composed of Two Republicans, and Eight Democrats. Fairfax County is the Most Populated County in the entire Commonwealth of Virginia, with over 1 Million Residents. It is a relatively reliable Democrat stronghold, as are most Urban areas. Do not forget that Virginia is also a "Swing State" this election year, and Fairfax County is a Major Player within that.

Just for some further background, 64% of Fairfax County's Residents are Registered to Vote (640,000), which is an increase of 4% from the Year 2000. The Commonwealth of Virginia in its Entirety has seen a total of 350,000 Newly Registered Voters. Of course what they fail to mention, are how many Voters have left the Precincts. For the nearly 50,000 Newly Registered Voters in Fairfax County alone, 20,000 left. For the Commonwealth of Virginia, the state has around 350,000 Newly Registered Voters, but 326,000 Voters have left. Of course in both cases More Voters moved into the Commonwealth as well, but we are talking about NEW Voters here. It is not as dramatic as some would make you believe.

There is a Total of 4,890,393 Registered Voters within Virginia, so the complete total of New Add-ons (Newly Registered, and those that Moved to Virginia) equates to roughly 8% of ALL Registered Voters. The Commonwealth has lost 4% of ALL Registered Voters during the same period of time.

BTW, the Jail where this Sheriff is attempting to Register inmates has a Population of between 1,500 and 2,000 Incarcerated Individuals. This particular Sheriff also has a bleak reputation for abusing Inmates, so it is even more curious that he now proves to be so "kind" to them. Could there be any pressure on who to Vote for?

www.wtopnews.com
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As long as they have a legal right to vote, I don't see a problem. Just as long as the sheriff isn't telling them who to vote for. He would be better served if got an independent person to register them and monitor their vote.

It does seem pretty strange - as I think most jails would do just the opposite and put up barriers for those incarcerated under their control.

According to the Washington Examiner, Fairfax County General Registrar Rokey Suleman and Sheriff Stan Barry allowed registration forms and absentee ballot information to be delivered to inmates with misdemeanor convictions and those awaiting trial. In Virginia, a felon loses their right to vote unless they get their rights restored by the governor. People without felony convictions maintain their rights, although its unusual to register them in a jail.

By law only those allowed legally to vote will be able to vote according to the link. I really see no problem here and maybe some of them could use a little schooling by the sheriff to become better citizens by participating in the process.

lol this is exactly the opposite tactic Bush used to get his power.


They are learning from each other

I think its pretty retarded you can lose your right to vote in the first place.
I can see not owning guns but voting, whos the dumby that thought that one up?