Thus, there exists a continuum of PSE varieties-some more like ASL, others more like English. This can be illustrated in the following way. Pidgin Sign English in the Deaf Community from American Sign Language by Charlotte Baker-Shenk and Dennis Cokely. Drawing by Frank A. Paul. Washington, D.C.: Clerc Books, 1980.
In 38 states and the District of Columbia, most ex-felons automatically gain the right to vote upon the completion of their sentence. In some states, ex-felons must wait for a certain period of time after the completion of their sentence before rights can be restored.
Most--though not all--recent state legislation seeks to expand felon voting rights and ease the process of restoration. Between 1996 and 2008, 28 states passed new laws on felon voting rights. Seven repealed lifetime disenfranchisement laws, at least for some ex-offenders.