WHEREAS the right to vote is a fundamental right guaranteed by the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution;
WHEREAS many persons who have been convicted of a felony are denied the right to vote by state disenfranchisement laws;
WHEREAS these laws have a particularly severe impact on racial and ethnic minorities' ability to participate in the political process;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers supports the repeal of all state felony disenfranchisement laws, and the passage of national legislation which would abolish voting restrictions in federal elections.
Chicago, Illinois
