Watch CBS News

Former Inmates And Advocates Push For Voting Rights

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Former inmates and community advocates in Maryland are pushing for voting rights for felons upon their release from prison.

The group gathered in Annapolis on Tuesday to promote a bill that would update Maryland law to restore voting rights to people immediately after they're released from prison.

The current law allows a convicted felon to vote in Maryland only after they have served their prison time and any parole or probation.

Sen. Joan Carter Conway, a Baltimore Democrat and one of the bill's sponsors, says many ex-convicts are reluctant to register to vote because of confusing language in the law and fear of being prosecuted for another crime if they register too soon.

Conway says she views the current restrictions as another form of voter suppression.

(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.