State to appeal felon-voting decision…

Secretary of State Sam Reed and Attorney General Rob McKenna said Wednesday that the sate will appeal a recent King County Superior Court ruling allowing voting by felons who’ve served their prison time and probation but still have unpaid fines or other court debts. (See item below)

In a joint statement, Reed and McKenna said that each state has the right to determine the process for restoring voting rights to felons.

“Under the `rational basis test’ used by the courts, we believe a rational basis does exist for the Legislature to deny felons the right to vote until they have completed their entire court-ordered sentences, including payment of criminal penalties, victim’s restitution and legal fees.”