The United States has 5.3 million former felons who are not permitted to vote -- more than any other country in the world.

When released from prison many felons never regain their voting rights. They've served their time, no longer on parole, paying taxes - is it right to make these guys second class citizens for life?

Listen to Roderick Cook. He turned his life around, and wants to be a full member of society. And that means voting. Ryan King of The Sentancing Project says there's a line of research coming out showing an inverse relationship between the desire to vote, and the likelihood of committing another crime.

In Virginia former felons are barred from voting for life unless the governor restores their rights. Is it fair? American News Project's Garland McLaurin brings us this report.

Interestingly, King says, some of the most progressive legislation to restore the rights of felons has come from Republicans.