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Civil rights for uncivil people

Paul Quinn's Electoral (Disqualification of Convicted Prisoners) Amendment Bill, has been drawn form the ballot and will go to Parliament for consideration.

Its effect would be to strip the right to vote from all those serving a term of imprisonment. the prisoner would be re-enfranchised upon release.

Rethinking Crime and Punishment director Kim Workman is against it - he suggests
"Because a disproportionate number of prisoners live in communities such as Otara, Flaxmere, Cannons Creek and so on, those communities lose a significant number of voters.

"I am sure that Paul Quinn didn't intend it, but the Opposition will be quick to note that a huge proportion of the 8500 prisoner votes lost as a result of this bill, will be in Labour and Maori Party strongholds."

I suspect that the prisoner vote, restored to them in 1993 would have little real impact on who gets to govern.

The way I see it is getting to vote isn't a "right" its a responsibility and that is something that have to be earned.

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