A bill to streamline how felons regain voting rights passed the state Senate on Wednesday, though two elected Cowlitz County officials say the measure will be as cumbersome as the current law, which critics say is too complicated and unfair to the poor.

“We’re no better off,” said county Auditor Kris Swanson, whose office runs elections. “I just wanted to see something that would simplify the process. We’re no better off with the (Senate bill) than the current law.”

Felons now must pay fines and restitution before asking a judge to let them vote again.

The House last month approved letting felons vote after they’ve served their time, even if they owe money. The policy will encourage felons to become good citizens, say supporters, who include Secretary of State Sam Reed and Swanson.

“If they want to engage in something as civic as voting, I think we probably should let them,” Swanson said.

The Senate, however, amended the bill Wednesday, authorizing counties to revoke the voting rights of felons who miss three court-ordered payments in a year. The Senate then passed the bill 29-19. It goes back to the House, which must approve the amendment.

Secretary of State spokesman David Ammons said the Senate introduced a “murkiness we would have liked to avoid.” Nevertheless, the bill is still better than the current law, he said.

“We’re supporting it. We believe the House will also, and it will be passed in the amended form,” Ammons said. “We’re pleased some ex-cons will get their franchise quicker.”

County Clerk Roni Booth said the bill has the potential to “create a huge workload.”

Felons routinely miss at least three payments a year. Revoking the voting rights of every one would be too time consuming, she said. “I can’t do it. I don’t have the staff to do it.”

Lawmakers stressed that clerks, who collect court-ordered payments, would have the authority but would not be required to haul delinquent felons before a judge.

Booth, however, said seeking to revoke the voting rights of only some offenders would put the clerk’s office in the unaccustomed role of making judgment calls in who gets punished, she said. “It’s not a function I think the clerk should have the authority to do.”

Since the disputed 2004 governor’s election, county auditors have tried be more uniform in running elections, Swanson said. But some counties will be more aggressive than others in revoking voting rights of felons who fall behind in their financial obligations, she said.

“We’re going to have inconsistencies throughout the state. Is that fair?”

In a floor speech, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, said offenders should have the chance to reform and barring them from voting “seems highly unpatriotic.”

The bill passed with the support of 26 Democrats and three Republicans, including Rochester Sen. Dan Swecker, who represents southern Lewis County. Swecker said he voted for the bill because felons could lose their newly gained voting rights if they didn’t meet their financial obligations.

Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, was one of four Democrats who voted no.

“That was one (bill), from day one, I circled, ‘No, I’m not going to support this year,’ ” Hatfield said. “I think the average person is going to say, ‘What are they doing in Olympia?’ ”

Related article:

Senate approves bill to restore voting for felons  (AP, April 15)