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On October 9, 2014, the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission’s Bill of Rights and Voting Committee heard testimony from Professor Douglas A. Berman concerning the voting rights of felons.  Ohio Constitution Article V, Section 4  gives the General Assembly the power to exclude felons from voting.  Ohio law permits felons to vote upon release, but not while they are incarcerated.  Professor Berman testified as to why incarcerated felons should be able to vote.

The Bill of Rights and Voting Committee also considered eliminating Ohio Constitution Article V, Section 6, which states that, “No idiot, or insane person, shall be entitled to the privileges of an elector.”  In the 1970s, the Ohio Constitution Revision Commission also considered eliminating this language.  For 1970s OCRC materials on this issue, see proceedings at p. 2162 and a research study on the issue (at p. 2400)

See Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission Press Release: Professor Douglas A. Berman addresses the Bill of Rights and Voting Committee

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