* ACLU -Bush's New policy to restore felons' voting rights is Insufficient

While George Bush Asks for the Black Vote, Jeb Bush Schemes to 'Suppress" it.

• ACLU -Bush's New policy to restore felons' voting rights is Insufficient

A new policy announced by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in the wake of a state court decision last week which unanimously ruled that state prison officials must follow the law and provide newly released felons the necessary paperwork and assistance to get their full civil rights back--will result in many ex-felons remaining ineligible to vote, the ACLU has said. The new policy eliminates application forms for hearings to regain civil rights that were distributed to felons leaving prison. Under the new policy, former felons must now directly contact the Office of Executive Clemency to request a hearing. Bush said it will streamline the process by eliminating paperwork. Civil rights advocates say the decision will disfranchise thousands of people in a state where more than 400,000 are already banned from voting.[more]