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Democracy Restoration Act

Scroll Down For SAMPLE LETTER TO YOU LEGISLATORS! your help needed

Voting for ex-prisoners

next page: press release and ACLU Handouts Who can vote in Wisconsin?

ACLU WI WEB

Voting Articles Stars and Bars What if 3.5 million more people could vote? The Sound Of Silence/Nation Magazine

ACLU National  Web Site

A great opportunity now befalls this state, one that, will do more for the cause of justice in this state than anything we have seen in many years. This bill was introduced in July by Representative Tamara Grigsby and , if enacted, would give ex-prisoners the right to vote upon leaving prison regardless of parole , probation or other status. FFUP has joined a coalition of non profit groups put together by ACLU of Wisconsin. We aim to shuttle the Democracy Restoration Act through the Wisconsin legislature.  The bill has passed the legislative committee and is headed for a vote in the assembly. We need to educate the legislators on this issues and show it has broad support. We need you to let legislators now we want this bill.

WHO ARE MY LEGISLATORS? Wi legislative switchboard:1-800-362-9472; http:// www.legis.state.wi.us  Representatives’ Addresses: last name a thru l: PO Box 8952;   m thru z PO Box 8953; Madison , WI 53708    Senators’ address: PO   Box7882; Madison, WI 53707; Governors address: Governor Doyle; PO Box 7863, Madison, 53707 go to website to find legislators and email from there

Use letter below to write your legislator

Write , call or email your legislators: Tell them to support this bill!

To my legislator________________________________________ Address  _________________________________ _____________________________________________ Date_________________ Re: Wisconsin Democracy Restoration act introduced in assembly Dear _____________________________, My name is_____________________________, and I am a your constituent. The Wisconsin State legislature is considering a law introduced by Representative Tamara Grigsby, that would allow ex-prisoners to vote upon leaving prison. As  a concerned citizen,! Believe that this is the right thing to do and was surprised when I learned that they do not have this right. According to the British government at that time, this great country was founded by law-breakers and misfits who waged a revolutionary war for the right to be free, to live how they choose, to believe how they choose, not to be ruled, 'but, to vote in free elections for their leaders. These great leaders also adhered to the tenets that everyone regardless of their past was entitled to a fresh start...a second chance. I am not writing you not because I am the family member of an incarcerated person, but because the same tenets that our forefathers embraced, I Embrace also. I Believe in second chances and that every free person is entitled to vote for the candidate of their choice If we as a society cannot forgive and allow these ex-prisoners, who have integrated back into our communities, to partake in America’s most precious gift , the right to vote, then how can we "expect" them to do better and to be better? We must restore these must fundamental rights that we all enjoy.We as a society must, extend our hand in friendship, love, peace and respect, to all citizens of this country. And, we do this with a shared understanding, between the community and those that wish to integrate back into the community, that much is expected of them. What the Wisconsin Democratic Restoration Act is asking ,is for ex-felons released back into their communities be allowed to vote for elected officials regardless of parole/probation obligations. It is their constitutional right, as well as a right stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Article 21 1)everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. 2)everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. 3)the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government. this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. In closing, I Ask that you vote for the Wisconsin Democratic Restoration Act. God is a forgiving god, so how then are we not a forgiving society. Embrace those people who wish to be embraced and help us all to be more forgiving. Allow those who wish to vote, the right to vote. A few more words:_________________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for time and consideration to this matter. Respectfully, Dated this    day of    2009 Sincerely, Your name, address,  Contact information                                                            WHO ARE MY LEGISLATORS? Wi legislative switchboard:1-800-362-9472; http:// www.legis.state.wi.us  Representatives’ Addresses: last name a thru l: PO Box 8952;   m thru z PO Box 8953; Madison , WI 53708    Senators’ address: PO   Box7882; Madison, WI 53707; Governors address: Governor Doyle; PO Box 7863, Madison, 53707