Some felons in Delaware may no longer have to wait five years after serving their sentences to recover their right to vote.
House Bill 10 that would strike the constitutional provision that requires that waiting period is making its way through the legislature seeking its required second approval from lawmakers.
Because it is a constitutional amendment, HB 10 needs to pass by a two-thirds majority in both houses for a second time before it becomes law.
Rep. Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington South) sponsored the proposal last session, where it garnered a two-thirds majority vote from both houses.
She compares this proposal to someone who has a suspended drivers license.
“That person, after a period of time, is given the opportunity to prove that they will be a better driver. I want to be able to give a person who has paid their debt to society, who has stayed out of trouble, the right to be a good citizen as well.”
Keeley says that on average, it takes a person four years to complete any parole conditions they may have before the additional five-year waiting period starts.
The bill wouldn’t exclude all felons. Those who commit “egregious” crimes such as murder, rape or those against the state would not be eligible for the exemption.
