Md. former felons can vote in 2016 election

Voting rights have been restored for an estimated 40,000 former felons living in Maryland.

The Senate voted Tuesday to override Governor Larry Hogan’s veto on a bill allowing felons to vote while they are on parole or probation.

The House also voted to override the veto in January.

The measure was first introduced by Senator Joan Carter Conway and Delegate Cory McCray from Baltimore.

Perry Hopkins, a formerly incarcerated citizen and organizer with Communities United, says the General Assembly’s decision has “opened up democracy” for thousands of Marylanders.

“From the minute you are released from prison, you pay taxes, you are working to reintegrate back into society in a productive way and you deserve the full rights of citizenship.” Says Hopkins, “It’s just that simple. And today the Maryland General Assembly did the right thing and restored our rights.”

The law will go into effect March 10, meaning former felons will be allowed to register and vote in local and federal primaries this April.