Ex-felons have a right to office

I would like to encourage all legislators in the state of Utah to vote "NO" on SB47, which concerns the right of former felons to hold municipal office

I believe that the state should leave it to voters to decide at the polls who is a qualified candidate — and not exclude former felons from running for office. I also believe that once an ex-felon has served his time, he is no longer a felon but a former felon. He should not be penalized for life.

When my husband was 19, he was convicted of a felony for a small jewelry theft. My husband served two weeks in the county jail. He is now a changed man, has been married for almost 14 years and has six children. He made a mistake when he was a teenager and has paid his debt to society, yet he is still being punished.

In 2001, my husband was appointed to Eagle Mountain's City Council for six months. He later ran for his seat but lost the election. He was never asked either of these times if he had a felony record.

My husband then ran for mayor of Eagle Mountain this past fall. When he went to file, he was asked if he had ever been convicted of a felony. He replied "yes" and was told he could run for office, but could not hold it if elected. According to the way the law is written, however, he can hold office, and his rights were infringed on by elected officials.

Everyone makes mistakes in their life. Some mistakes are worse than others, but if a person has made a change in their life and tries to do good, I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed to hold elective office in Utah.

Anjanette S. Lofgren

Eagle Mountain