My name is Natalie Hobbs, and I am the Volunteer Coordinator for getupstandup.com. We are a truly not-for-profit
organization, and our purpose is to allow convicted felons to be able to vote nation wide. In the State of Washington (where
we are based) and other states, convicted felons must be off parole, paid all fines, and no longer have any no-contact (restraining)
orders out to be able to vote. Those who are convicted felons know that paying off the fines alone takes years. This is especially
true when ex-felons are discriminate against when looking for a job. Ex-felons can also be on parole for a number of years,
and restraining orders can be re-issued against anyone for a life time.
This restriction to one's right to
vote is a disgrace in America. This restriction is against the U.S 14th Amendment and the fundamental morals this nation was
founded on. So, whether you think that felons should be allowed to vote in prison or once off parole please join our campaign,
and let everyone who wants to vote, vote. Getupstandup.com will not accept any cash donations, but we greatly appreciate everyone's
time in this campaign. So if you would like to join, click join the campaign and fill out the form. Your forms will be sent
to me, and I will get you started on helping the fight for letting every ex-felon be
able to vote.
Volunteering can include simple things as well as more elaborate things. Whether you want to write
a blog about how you feel about this issue we would love to hear your voice. Or if you want to start an initiative in your
home state we will guide you. All ideas are welcomed! For any high school students who need community service to graduate,
we will give you community service hours for any participation in this fight. This campaign is not restricted to 18 and older
persons. Anyone who wants to fight for the right to universal voting, please donate your time and help us.
I'm sure by now you all have noticed that our site design has changed, but what you may not know is that our
site's community is changing as well. Over the last two months there has been an extraordinary growth in
our size and we have been undergoing major changes the last few weeks to keep up with this rapid growth and
foster new venues to keep the message going strong.
We need you now. No, not your money.
We need your
voice, your time, and your talent in order to keep this campaign going strong and to maintain our donation-free policy.
Volunteer on-line or in your communities and if you need them, earn community service
hours while you do so. Blog, research, start a chapter, speak, the opportunities are endless and the choices are all yours.
Internships are also available and students should first check with their school for approval.
We are also looking
for individuals looking to take on leadership roles as we are about to launch our State to State Campaign.
We
are counting on you at this critical moment. Together, we can all make a difference.
I live in Seattle. I got
a felony over 7 years ago (possession), and still haven't got my right to vote back.
For
me, everything has been paid off, all probation requirements have been met, but finding the right paperwork to submit to get
my right to vote back has been something of a mystery.
The reason: Government and State
web sites are some of the most disorganized around, so finding the correct forms to submit is almost impossible. If businesses
out there had such shabby websites they would almost certainly fail, and yet our state's web site (WA) will leave you
drowning in a myriad of forms and web pages that lead to nowhere without professional legal help finding them.
This then forces an ex-felon to spend money on a lawyer in order to get the right to vote re-instated, which if you
ask me, is the reason they have left the state website so confusing. It lends itself to the system of paying to get a
"right" back, that in my opinion should be reinstated automatically once all requirements have been met.
Since my probation has been completed I have graduated college with my BS, currently work for
an Engineering firm in Seattle WA, pay my taxes, own a house, and live a normal law abiding lifestyle...and yet I find that
unless I fork over funds to a lawyer, I may never vote in this country again.
