The State of Montana was the 41st territory to have joined the United States of America. Montana’s capital population was 28,190 by the end of the year 2016.
In June 2016, Montana has enlisted a prison population of 2,580 inmates and 1,500 of which are males and the remaining number are females. This inmate population make up 9% of the state’s capital population.
The inclusion of the public in free and fair elections is one of the main characteristics of a democracy. Through the right to vote, the people gets to voice out who their leaders are and how their government will run their country. Preserving a person’s right of suffrage is a democratic government’s utmost priority.
Can Felons Vote in Montana?
Person convicted of felony are ineligible to vote while serving prison time in Montana. However, convicted persons awaiting parole or under probation are eligible to vote.
The state of Montana is known to be prodemocracy. They extend support to a felon’s reintegration to the community after paying his debts to the society.
A felon’s vote remains to count. Although he may be in jail, his voting rights must be preserved until he has been reinstated back into the community.
A felon’s right of suffrage is deemed only suspended while serving his punishment or while waiting the completion of his incarceration.
How Felons Can Restore Voting Rights in Montana?
Full civil rights are restored immediately after the termination of a felon’s incarceration. The felon should re-register as a voter of the state of Montana.
How can a felon re-register? He may register by making a personal visit to the county’s election office to complete the voter’s registration form, by submitting a registration form upon re-application of a state ID or driver’s license, or by accomplishing an application for voter registration and mailing it to the county’s election administrator.
In instances where the felon could not submit a present state ID number or driver’s license upon registration to vote, he may provide the last four digits of his Social Security number or provide another type of identification such as his residence address.
Sources
http://www.mt.gov /
http://www.cor.t.gov/Portals/104/Resources/Reports/daily.pdf
http://www.ccresourcecenter.org/state-restoration-profiles/montana-restoration-of-rights-pardon-enpugement-sealing
