Current Event

- As reported by AP on - January 05, 2010 (full article available on line)

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A federal appeals court has ruled that imprisoned felons should be allowed to vote in Washington state to ensure that racial minorities are protected under the Voting Rights Act.

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Tuesday's 2-1 ruling by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the 2000 ruling of a district judge in Spokane. That judge had ruled that state law did not violate the act, and dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former prison inmate from Bellevue.

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The two appellate judges ruled that disparities in the state's justice system "cannot be explained in race-neutral ways."

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A spokeswoman says state Attorney General Rob McKenna is weighing the state's next step.

VS.

Federal courts vs. states rights

Founding Document

The Constitution, Article 1, section 4

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of choosing  Senators.

The Constitution, Amendment 10

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The Constitution, Amendment 15, Article 1

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

We the People:

The federal judicial branch is granted no authority to intervene in this function of the state of Washington.  The voters can advocate impeachment of any judge to their elected representatives.