ANNAPOLIS, Md., Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Maryland Democrats are renewing their bid to restore voting rights to as many as 150,000 ex-felons in the state, believing the majority are black Democrats.
"This law seriously disenfranchises a large number of African-Americans," said Del. Salima Siler Marriott, a black Baltimore Democrat who is gathering sponsors for a voting-rights restoration bill she will submit.
Justice Maryland, a penal reform group that supports felon voting rights, estimates as many as 85,000 of the 150,000 freed inmates are likely Democrats, The Washington Times said Tuesday.
Gov. Robert Ehrlich, a Republican, won the 2002 governor's race by 66,170 votes, figures from the Maryland State Board of Elections show.
While similar efforts have failed to make it out of committee three times, if it were to pass and take effect on the traditional Oct. 1 date, the former convicts could vote in the Nov. 7 general election, the report said.
Maryland is one of 11 states that disenfranchise some felons for life.
