A game show was the inspiration for this column. Here’s the question posed: Only two states permit imprisoned felons to vote, Vermont and what other state?

A. Oregon

B. California

C. Maine

D. Utah

I guessed Oregon. Wrong. The correct answer is Maine.

There is no federal law governing the voting rights of people who have been convicted of crimes. Most states restrict the voting rights of citizens who have been convicted of felonies. Guidelines change quite often, but restrictions run the gambit from Maine and Vermont’s very tolerant policy to a few states that bar felons from voting for life. The majority (30 states) deny the right to vote to inmates, parolees and probationers, but “suffrage” is restored upon completion of each felon’s sentence.

Concerned Mainers who felt that convicted felons serving time in jail should be deprived of their voting rights convinced Rep. Stephen Hanley (D-Gardiner) to present a bill before the legislature containing that mandate. Rep. Hanley developed LD 300, a resolution “Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Restrict the Voting Privileges of Certain Incarcerated Felons.”

If passed by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the legislature and by a majority of Maine voters in a general election, the amendment would revoke the right of a felon incarcerated in a Department of Corrections facility to vote. This includes inmates who are convicted of murder or a Class A or Class B crime (arsonists, rapists, kidnappers, etc.). Voting rights would be restored immediately upon the prisoner’s release, even if he/she is on parole or on probation. Furthermore, the revocation of voting rights would apply only to inmates at a state correctional facility, not at a county jail.

Rep. Hanley, who serves on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, has performed research on past similar bills dating back to the 119th Legislature. The issue failed then, and in its three subsequent tries. He feels his bill has a better shot of passage because the earlier bills submitted were more restrictive in nature than LD 300, plus the issue had been voted on by the Legislature only. This time around Maine voters may have their say. In a telephone interview, he declared, “Let the people of Maine decide, that’s all I’m asking. They’ve been denied a vote. Let’s have an open public debate.”

Rep. Hanley cited the apparent ill-advised scenarios that arise under Maine’s current policy. Criminals have a voice in determining who the sheriff will be, while the current sheriff is responsible for their incarceration. Convicted pedophiles have a say in who will serve on the school board, governing how rigorously to set security safeguards at school facilities.

No one seems to question a convicted felon’s lifetime restriction on owning firearms. Some federal statutes and many states bar released prisoners from ever becoming school teachers, firefighters, EMTs or other professionals. Various states consider dishonorable discharge from the military a felony conviction, and ban those affected from voting in federal elections.

Taking away privileges for offenders is an integral part of our society. Logic would dictate that the most egregious criminals in Maine lose their privilege to vote while incarcerated as part of their punishment. Restoring voting rights upon their release is part of effective rehabilitation and advances the goal of reintegrating former prisoners back into our communities.