My state’s Dems are lobbying hard to give all felons the right to vote immediately upon release:

Democratic lawmakers, who have long pushed to restore voting rights to Maryland felons, say racial politics and election-year considerations make this the year they open the polls to every ex-convict.

“This law seriously disenfranchises a large number of African-Americans,” said Delegate Salima Siler Marriott, a black Baltimore Democrat who is gathering sponsors for a voting-rights restoration bill she plans to submit.

“Their disenfranchisement impacts the power of African-Americans in this state,” said Mrs. Marriott, whose bill would give all felons the vote immediately upon release from prison.

If Mrs. Marriott’s bill succeeds this time — it has died in committee the past three years — an estimated 150,000 felons would be able to cast ballots in Maryland. About 85,000 of them are black and likely Democrats, according to Justice Maryland, a penal reform group that supports felon voting rights.

These convicted murderers, rapists and armed robbers could vote as early as the Nov. 7 general election, if the law takes effect on the traditional Oct. 1 start date. And felons could sway the results.

Ankle Biting Pundits notes that Maryland Dems seem to be openly acknowledging their race-card calculations.

Also courting the felon swing vote: Hillary “You know what I’m talkin’ about” Clinton.

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Meantime, GOP Lt. Gov. Michael Steele is leading Dems in the race for Maryland’s open Senate seat.

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