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on many of which the clear intention of the voter was discernible. (See The Nation, Feb. 26, at page ten).
I understand that an unofficial recount of these ballots is now underway. The results will be most interesting.
There is an additional problem with Florida election laws which has a bearing on the recent election. That is, the disenfranchisement for life of felons even after they have served their time. Many states, including Texas, Ohio and Illinois, as well as many Northern states, permit felons to vote after serving their time. Not Florida. And in the recent election thousands of ex-felons whose voting rights had been restored in another state were purged from Florida’s voting lists, even though the action of the other states was entitled to full faith and credit under the Constitution. (See “Florida’s ‘Disappeared Voters’: Disfranchised by the G.O.P.”, The Nation, Feb. 5 pages 20-23).
The disenfranchisement of felons for life in Florida has another troubling aspect. Possession of crack cocaine (favored by blacks) is a felony. Possession of powder cocaine (favored by whites) is a misdemeanor. No less an authority than George W. Bush was quoted as saying that this discrepancy “ought to be addressed by making sure the powder-cocaine and the crack-cocaine penalties are the same. I don’t believe we ought to be discriminatory.” (CNN, Jan. 18, 2001).
But Florida was. And thousands were affected.
Lee Bird
Washington
96.2%