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That doesn’t just include people behind bars.
75% of those disenfranchised voters were on probation, parole,
or had already completed their sentences.
And, when more than 60% of prison population are minorities, these laws disproportionately
affect people of color.
That’s especially true in 4 states, where if you commit a felony,
you may never vote again.
Florida is one those states and almost a quarter of its black citizens are disenfranchised.
These votes are not inconsequential.
One study found that if Florida’s felons had voted in 2000, Al Gore would have
been president.
The good news? Some states are starting to reconsider.
While Maine and Vermont have always allowed voting behind bars, 5 states have relaxed
their laws since 2008.
That includes Maryland, which, in February, restored voting rights to 40,000 ex-offenders.
Isn’t that something?
In 2015, the number of hate groups in American increased 14%
In fact, that's the first time in 3 years that that number has grown.