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House Bill Would Let Convicted Felons Run For Office

House Bill Would Let Convicted Felons Run For Office

House Bill Would Let Convicted Felons Run For Office

(KTTS News) — A House committee is debating a bill that would let convicted felons run for public office.

Felons would have to wait until seven years have passed since they were convicted to run for office.

Jeff Smith with Missouri Appleseed and the Missouri ACLU, who spent time in prison, says the bill would help convicts get back on their feet.

“I think it would be a great gesture for this Legislature to tell people that once they’ve paid their debt to society (that) they should have the ability…if their constituents of voters in the district deem them worthy…that they should have the opportunity to be here as well.”

State representative Kevin Windham from St. Louis tells Missouri News Network that if felons run for office, they need to let the public know what they were convicted of.

“Voters should know if they’re electing a person that maybe (was convicted of) sexual assault, maybe a violent crime, maybe it’s just physical assault. So I think it’s just important for voters to know a little bit more about who they’re voting for.”

But Windham says felons shouldn’t have to wait seven years to run for office.

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