Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, October 9, 1995                   TAG: 9510090090
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Medium

RIGHTS HARD TO REGAIN

Felons must wait five years after serving a sentence, complete probation, and pay any fines before they can attempt to regain the right to vote.

Since Gov. George Allen took office in January 1994, the state has required that applicants write him, telling how their lives have changed. Allen, a Republican, has granted just 28 of 87 applications.

If re-elected Nov. 7, state Sen. Yvonne Miller, D-Norfolk, plans to request a study of the application process in the next General Assembly session.

``We are very good at punishing people,'' she said, ``and we want to make sure we also are fair about restoring their rights.''

In 1993, Joyce Dedmon took up a suggestion from Miller and began helping ex-convicts regain the right to vote through a program at the Basilica of St. Mary in Norfolk. She started with nine people, then narrowed it to a select group of three.

Two years later, none has regained the right to vote. Dedmon is still trying.

``It really is worth it,'' she said. ``But it is a very difficult process, and they have to reveal personal information. Many people are unwilling to do that.''

The application requires letters from three people who can vouch for the applicant's character - preferably ministers, elected officials or prominent business leaders. It also requires certified copies of documents such as the felon's pre- and post-sentence reports.

Dedmon said applicants often don't want to embarrass themselves by asking someone to write a letter on their behalf. They also fear that the application itself will irritate officials and make dealing with the government more difficult.

Betsy Davis, secretary of the commonwealth, handles applications for Allen. Under Virginia law, Allen must read and decide each case individually. She makes sure the applications are complete.

When Allen denies an application, she said, it's usually because ``there's not a reason to feel that the person is totally rehabilitated or sufficiently regretful of their crime, or have not turned their life around.''

Many released felons don't even know there is a process to regain the vote, Miller said. She encouraged St. Mary's to begin its program because she thinks many churches and community service organizations don't know about the process.

Ann Washington, Norfolk's voter registrar, said giving ex-convicts voting rights will help them re-enter the community.

``If you have done all these things to repay your debt,'' she said, ``we as a society should be trying to help you get back into society as a productive citizen. And one of the important ways is the right to vote.''