The Crystal Mason Story
Post Updated: January 21, 2022
So, in today’s news… I came across this opinion written by Crystal Mason, a prisoner’s right to vote. In the Washington Post Opinions section.
Crystal Mason’s opinion inspired me to join in the social movement to say it loud exercise your right to vote.
I have been following this story since her arrest in 2016.
On September 30, 2019, Crystal gave her thoughts on the matter. And she wants to empower people, especially the next generation. To exercise their right to vote.
Her story gave me grief. It made me sad. It made me mad. I think about the many ways this could have been resolved. Without this woman enduring this unnecessary pain.
A Prisoners Right to Vote | The Crystal Mason Story
She was arrested and charged with illegal voting in 2016. After a one-day trial.
A judge sentenced her to five years in prison for submitting a provisional ballot. Even though it was never counted.
It turns out that the state of Texas considered her ineligible to vote. Because she was on federal supervised release.
Because of a previous tax fraud conviction. But no one had ever told her she couldn’t vote.
Not while she was in prison preparing to reenter society, and not while she was on supervised release.
Can you imagine being in her situation? I couldn’t.
All of this happened right before the 2016 election. Go figure!
As African-American, Black, People of Color… we are taught that we have a right and a civic responsibility to vote.
Our people fought and died for us to have the right to vote.
If you are a woman regardless of your ethnicity… we too, suffered a period called the Women’s Suffrage. When women finally gain the right to vote in elections.
What’s so ironic about this is Crystal Mason is a Black African American Woman.
Any who,
Following the election. The government aggressively went after cases of alleged voter fraud.
Even though there has never been any widespread evidence of it — either in Texas or nationally.
They accused her of voter fraud. Although, she pleaded that she was not informed that she couldn’t vote as a felon. While on supervised release.
In the United States of America, there are 9 states where convicted felons may lose their right to vote.
Not even once they’ve completed their sentences. Including any “parole or supervision. Unless they petition a court, and it is granted.
In 20 states felons can resume voting. Once they’ve completed their sentences, parole, or supervised release & probation. 2 states a felon’s vote can be restored after prison & parole.
In 17 states & DC, felons can vote once they have been released from jail or prison. Only 2 states may vote while in prison.
In her argument, she stated how voter fraud doesn’t come from regular citizens.
It comes from people such as Russ Casey, Tarrant County’s now-former justice of the peace.
Who pleaded guilty in 2018 to forging signatures. To get his name on the ballot during his reelection campaign.
Casey would have benefited from the position’s power if he had gotten away with the fraud.
Yet he was given just a slap on the wrist: five years of probation and no jail time.
The irony right!
Welp, this is America.
The people who pay the price are folks such as Crystal Mason who believed they were doing the right thing.
I agree with her that this is a life-altering price.
Unfortunately, it is a message our elected officials are trying to send
To scare us away from the voting booth with harsh sentencing laws.
When she was recently released from prison. She received for the first time a form from her supervised release officer.
Stating that she is not allowed to vote while on federal supervised release.
When she saw that form, she naturally started to cry.
This could have all been avoided had they given it to her the first time. As a result of this case.
The state of Texas has implemented the issuance of the form.
However, lawmakers are still at it. Trying to make it harder for African Americans, Black People of Color to vote.
Will it ever end?
Our vote must be overwhelmingly important for white lawmakers.
To go out of their way to destroy and suppress countless African American votes.
Crystal Mason Wants You To Exercise Your Right to Vote!
As an African American, Black, Person of Color, you must exercise your right to vote. Our lives depend on it.
None of us will be intimidated by the government. To not show at the polls. Especially, in the 2020 election year.
We must educate on what to do, and what not to do.
If you are a felon or just don’t know if you are registered to vote…
Please find out early. Find out what the law is in your state.
Crystal’s story is one that stands out in our modern times. On how much more work there is to be done.
My opinion of the matter is a strong one! Knowledge is power.
If you are a felon or ex-felon. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Get educated. It is your civic duty.
Let me know your thoughts on the matter in the comments section! And sign up for my email list here.
“……The oversight is lack of understanding of how the reporting program operates. The balance of the account is $16,416.30.”
The above is a direct quote from a correction that Judge Ruben Gonzalez made in a campaign finance report that he filed with the Texas Ethics Commission in 2013.
You would think that he would have some empathy for a fellow citizen who had a similar “lack of understanding” or who missed something in the fine print of an election form.
Yes, Kevin! I agree. The keyword you state here is “empathy”. Thanks for commenting!
The Crystal Mason story sounds to be interesting. Especially you were discussing about the prisoner’s right to vote. In America all citizens regardless of their age, gender, color or background should be given the opportunity to vote legally. There is nothing i saw illegal in the case of Crystal Mason story and the underlying reasons why she should be arrested and sent to prison for an extended period of time is not very clear.
Hi Shivaram! Thanks for commenting. Well in her situation she was on probation and not allowed to vote in her state. However, no one ever told her she could not vote. And the fact that she paid her price for her crime makes this case mind-boggling. Lessoned learned ignorance of the law is no excuse. And a lot of these laws regarding voting in America need to change. They are antiqued and some unuseful. Thanks again for chatting with me about the Crystal Mason Story
It is amazing how this woman overcame all what happened to her. As a South American, I must admit that these kind of stories about black people in North America have an impact on us. We are not that familiar with those situations, and we empathize with all that happens there. Rules an Laws in USA are so different, that sometimes give us goosebumps. Thanks for sharing this story!
You are welcome Johnny! Thank you for commenting on this story.