**Ending A Discriminatory Practice**
On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order restoring voting rights to an estimated 140,000 Americans who have been convicted of a felony. This move effectively ends the disenfranchisement of felons upon the completion of their sentences, a practice that has disproportionately impacted communities of color. Biden’s executive order applies to individuals convicted of federal crimes, a group that includes a large percentage of those who have been disenfranchised. It is estimated that around 6 million Americans are currently unable to vote due to felony convictions.
**A Bipartisan Issue**
The restoration of voting rights to former felons has garnered support from both sides of the aisle, with many Republican-led states having already taken steps to end disenfranchisement. In recent years, states such as Florida, Iowa, and Kentucky have passed laws to automatically restore voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences. At the federal level, the First Step Act, passed in 2018, made it easier for some federal prisoners to regain their voting rights after they are released.
**Biden’s Executive Action**
Biden’s executive order goes further than previous efforts to restore voting rights to felons. It applies to those convicted of any federal crime, regardless of the severity of the offense. The order also directs federal agencies to review their policies and ensure that they do not discriminate against individuals with felony convictions.
**A Step Towards Equity**
A 2018 report by the Sentencing Project found that African Americans are incarcerated at a rate five times higher than whites. As a result, felony disenfranchisement laws have a disproportionate impact on communities of color. Restoring voting rights to former felons is seen as a crucial step towards addressing racial inequality in the United States.
**Reaction to the Order**
Reacting to the order, Vanita Gupta, the head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, stated that “voting is a fundamental right that should not be denied based on past mistakes.” She added that the order is “an important step towards ensuring that our democracy is truly inclusive.”
Biden’s executive order is a significant step towards ending the discriminatory practice of felon disenfranchisement. It is estimated that around 140,000 Americans will be impacted by the order, giving them a voice in the democratic process. The move has received bipartisan support and is seen as a crucial step towards addressing racial inequality in the United States..
