Blacks and the Right to Vote
Blacks | felons | and the right to vote. What's changed and what's stayed the same? Get the history plus photos on BET.com.
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Registering - With Presidential Election Day falling on Nov. 4, the last day to register in most states is Monday, Oct. 6. Check your state or town’s voting office for more specific details or get the forms at BET.com (see below).
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The Youth Vote - It’s estimated that between 7.5-8 million African Americans are eligible to vote aren’t registered to vote. The largest block of unregistered Black voters are between the ages of 25 – 44.
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Behind Bars - According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the current patchwork of state felony disenfranchisement laws prevent 5.3 million citizens with past felony convictions from voting. About 13 percent of these citizens are Black men.
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Behind Bars - In most states, but not all, convicted felons can apply to have their voting rights restored once they have completed all terms and conditions of their post prison release probation and any fines imposed have been paid.
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Voting Rights - A few organizations to help felons restore their voting rights include the NAACP, the ACLU and the National Organization for Rehabilitated Offenders.
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