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 Between 1996 and 2008, 28 states passed new laws on felon voting rights. 1  Seven repealed lifetime disenfranchisement laws, at least for some ex-offenders.n Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, and Virginia, felons and ex-felons permanently lose their right to vote, without a pardon from the governor. Virginia and Florida have supplementary programs which facilitate gubernatorial pardons. The remaining 45 states have 45 different approaches to the issue.