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McKenna, Reed challenge felon voting decision

McKenna, Reed challenge felon voting decision

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna, backed by Secretary of State Sam Reed, will personally argue in federal appeals court next Wednesday for reversal of a a widely criticized decision that tossed out the state’s ban on felon voting. McKenna and Reed held a joint news conference Friday before the attorney general headed to San Francisco to prepare for oral arguments before an 11-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel of the court, in a surprise…

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9th Circuit will re-open WA felon voting case

9th Circuit will re-open WA felon voting case

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to a Sept. 21 re-hearing of  a challenge of Washington’s longstanding ban on voting by felons.  The nationally prominent case could be decided by the appeals judges or end up in the U.S. Supreme Court to set a nationwide policy. An 11-judge panel will re-hear the case that three of its own judges had decided in favor of the inmates earlier this year. That much-criticized ruling held that Washington violates the federal…

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9th Circuit will rehear WA felon voter case

9th Circuit will rehear WA felon voter case

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to rehear a challenge of Washington’s longstanding ban on voting by felons. Today’s development, handed down in a one-paragraph, three-line order signed by Chief Judge  Alex Kozinski, said the circuit court judges have agreed to rehear the case. No timeline was specified, but Kozinki and 10 judges drawn at random from the circuit will hear the case. Just a few months ago, in January, a three-judge panel from the circuit handed down…

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WA asks appeals bench to suspend felon voter ruling

WA asks appeals bench to suspend felon voter ruling

Attorney General Rob McKenna and Secretary of State Sam Reed are asking the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to suspend a ruling that Washington must allow felons to register to vote while still serving their sentence. The hold would maintain the status quo — a ban on voting by felons in prison or on community supervision — while the state attempts to overturn the decision in the U.S. Supreme Court. Jeff Even, deputy solicitor general representing Reed, the governor and…

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New law restores voting rights for ex-cons

New law restores voting rights for ex-cons

Sponsors and supporters of a new voting-rights law this week are taking note of new rules-of-the-road for restoring voting rights for ex-cons.  After years of pressing for the legislation, Rep. Jeannie Darneille and colleagues last session finally won approval of House Bill 1517, which says that once a felon has completed prison time and community supervision, he or she can register to vote.  Previously, the person also had to settle all legal financial obligations, including restitution and court costs, before regaining the right to…

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