Bill promotes automatic right to vote for convicts

OLYMPIA — Convicted felons would automatically regain a right to vote under the proposed House Bill 1078.

Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton, the convicted felon to serve in the Legislature, testified in favor of the measure Jan. 14.

“This is really about reentry; it’s not about the punishment,” she said. “The punishment has been taken into consideration during the prosecution.”

Simmons was sentenced to 20 months in prison for possessing and selling drugs and unlawful possession of a firearm.

A former nurse, she said she stole drugs and sold them to support her habit.

Once out of prison, she retu...