National Black Law Student Association to Hold Rally for the Democracy Restoration Act

On September 17, the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) will hold a rally in support of the Democracy Restoration Act (DRA) of 2009 from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the University of the District of Columbia.

The DRA, introduced on July 24, 2009 by Sen. Russell Feingold, D. Wisc., and Rep. John Conyers, D. Mich., would restore voting rights to Americans with felony convictions upon the completion of their prison sentences.

Laws concerning the restoration of voting rights to ex-offenders vary by state. As a result, nearly four million individuals continue to face restrictions of their voting rights, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. In the United States, 13 percent of African Americans are disenfranchised, a figure seven times greater than the national average, according to testimony submitted by NAACP in support of the DRA.