Elections are increasingly tight in almost each state. The presidential elections of 2000 and 2004 are proof that the number of swing votes can determine the direction of this country. Regardless of who is supported by these votes, ex-convicts’ votes are just as important as those of you who will vote for the first time three weeks from today.

What about the harshest of criminals? — the rapists, sex offenders, extortionists, just to name a few. These people have a right to vote as well. They are still citizens of this country. According to an Associated Press article, “almost four million Americans who have completed their prison terms remain unable to vote because of laws in most states that prevent them from doing so.”

The Sentencing Project, a national organization promoting criminal justice reform in both laws and practice, also said that 600,000 ex-convicts regained voting access in the past 10 years due to 16 states expanding these rights.

Rhode Island could continue this increase on Nov. 7. A proposed state constitutional amendment would allow felons to vote upon release from prison. Today, ex-felons can only vote upon completion of probation and parole. Shouldn’t this already be in place? Once you’ve done your time and punishment, shouldn’t you be free of further restrictions? Thankfully, Illinois restores former inmates’ right to vote following their release from prison. However, an ex-convict’s right to vote isn’t a state issue. It is a national issue, which ultimately affects every facet of our government.

According to the American Correctional Association’s Web site, black and Hispanic inmates together comprise 62 percent of the prison population. The ACA also said about 46 percent of all prison inmates in this country are black. Blacks have historically been pro-democratic, so a disproportionate amount of blacks have been disenfranchised. Blacks have already endured a fair share of racism and discrimination in this country without ever being jailed. The effects of being imprisoned should not continue following one’s release. Unfortunately, the stigma of being jailed affects your status within your community and your chances of getting a good job. You can believe the notices telling you it doesn’t affect employer’s decisions if you want, but I don’t.

Some would argue political positioning battles, not the advancement of democracy in this country, drive some initiatives toward redeeming inmates’ voting rights. Not every black voice, however, is the same (I would expect the same for Hispanic and other minority voices as well). Some Republicans have also been proactive in helping redeem voting rights for inmates. Whether either side’s agenda is purely for their own rights or for political gain is almost irrelevant. What matters is everyone having their voice heard. This isn’t just a race issue — it’s an American issue.

Joey Baskerville is an opinion columnist for the Northern Star.