Fairness for whom?

This year's presidential election is a first for some Washington state convicted felons with outstanding court costs and restitution.

It's because they can cast votes in an important race that could be a close one.   

Previously felons who completed their term of probation or parole with unpaid court fees were not allowed to vote, according a 2010 report from The Sentencing Project.

A 2009 state law resulted in convicted felons being allowed to vote before fully paying restitution and other court fees. The felons are no longer in prison or community custody, but must re-register to vote, according to Secretary of State Sam Reed's website.

In a 2009 Associated Press interview, Reed said the legislation could foster greater civic engagement.

Supporters of the bill argue about the unfairness of money being a barrier to felons voting and participating in elections.

Interest on legal system debts accrues at 12 percent annually.

Another factor is the majority of felony defendants are indigent when they are sentenced and could not pay their legal system debts, according to The Sentencing Project's report.

In Washington State, the voter-disenfranchised populations include those in prison, on probation and parole. The total disenfranchisement in our state comes to 167,316 people, at a rate of 3.61 percent. African American disenfranchisement included 23,364 people at a rate of 17.22 percent.

The state of Oregon allows felons to vote immediately after their release from prison.

Voting reconnects felons to society and makes them feel part of the election process.

The ACLU was one of the bill's supporters.

"This is a much-needed reform of an unfair and unworkable system for restoring voter rights," stated Shankar Aryan, of the ACLU, in 2009. "Automatic restoration will help people who have served their time to reconnect with their communities. People who vote are at less risk or reoffending, and that leads to safer communities for us all."

But opponents of the legislation argue in favor of crime victims' rights.

During the time of the vote, Reps. Charles Ross and Norm Johnson, two 14th District Republicans, called the bill a "slap in the face to victims," according to a prepared statement.

"We're talking about felons who have done irreparable damage to their victims," Ross stated. "By letting criminals vote before they have paid off their debt, we're telling victims that the permanent damage they suffered doesn't matter. In addition, I want to know how many felons have asked to have their voting rights restored early? I don't think criminals are too concerned with returning to their civic duties."

The vote on the bill was largely along party lines, with most Democrats in favor and Republicans opposing.

We agree both sides argue good points.

We believe felons should serve all portions of their obligations to society, including paying court costs and restitution.

Voting is a right and privilege, but one that belongs to law-abiding people.

- Editorial board