This is just idiotic:
A Democratic group crucial to John Kerry’s presidential campaign has paid felons – some convicted of sex offenses, assault and burglary – to conduct door-to-door voter registration drives in at least three election swing states.
America Coming Together, contending that convicted criminals deserve a second chance in society, employs felons as voter canvassers in major metropolitan areas in Missouri, Florida, Ohio and perhaps in other states among the 17 it is targeting in its drive. Some lived in halfway houses, and at least four returned to prison.
ACT canvassers ask residents which issues are important to them and, if they are not registered, sign them up as voters. They gather telephone numbers and other personal information, such as driver’s license numbers or partial Social Security numbers, depending on what a state requires for voter registration.
Felons on probation or parole are ineligible to vote in many states. Doug Lewis, executive director of the Election Center, which represents election officials, said he is unaware of any laws against felons registering others to vote.
A review of federal campaign finance and state criminal records by The Associated Press revealed that the names and hometowns of dozens of ACT employees in Missouri, Florida and Ohio matched those of people convicted of crimes such as burglary, forgery, drug dealing, assault and sex offenses.
Dear Mr. Lewis,
While it may be legal to have felons registering others to vote, do you consider it wise to send robbers and sex offenders door to door on an unsuspecting public?
Chris P
This IS idiotic! I’m all for giving convicted felons a second chance, but sending them door-to-door in major metropolitan areas and allowing them to gather personal information such as telephone numbers, driver’s license numbers and social security numbers is too much. Especially convicted sex offenders (which have a ridiculously high recidivism rate)!
There must be other ways for them to contribute to the campaign. Why not posting fliers or working telephone hotlines or something?
Andrew J. Lazarus
Leaving the wisdom aside, some states DO require canvassers (that’s two “s”, John) to be registered voters in the jurisdiction. (BTDT)
John Cole
??
I never spelled it with one ‘s.’ In fact, I never spelled it at all.
Ken Hahn
I don’t see why this should surprise anyone. The Democrats register tombstones, housepets and illegal aliens. Using felons is logical by their standards.
ape
whereas the Bush’s brother just pays his friends to make sure black people aren’t on the register. ensuring first that they make the highest tender.
Kong
…and Algore tries to keep our armed forces overseas from voting…
The dems are just as bad as the reps when it comes to vote shenanigans.