Kentwood (MI) bans felons as office-holders

[The Straight Story]

Kentwood bans felons as office-holders
Commissioner, elected in 2009, twice convicted


KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) - Kentwood passed a ban on electing felons to public office in a 68% to 32% vote.

The ban will affect Raymond VerWys, who was elected to the Kentwood City Commission in 2009 with 54% of the vote.

The city commission will have to vote to vacate the seat, and Mayor Richard Root said he would support that action.

If and when that happens, VerWys will be effectively kicked off the commission for the remaining two years of his term.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/politics/Kentwood-bans-felons-as-office-holders

[Cirque du So-What]

1. I am not a lawyer

but at first glance this seems to be an issue that falls under state law - not subject to the whims of individual municipalities.

[jayfish]

2. Patently unconstitutional under clause 1 of Article I, section 10

"No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility."