Anyone wishing to make comments to the U.S. Justice Department about a proposed change to the North Carolina Constitution appearing on the November 2 ballot may now do so.

The 2010 General Assembly approved a measure (Session Law 2010-49) that would ban convicted felons from serving as sheriffs in North Carolina.

If approved by voters, the amendment to Article VII, Section 2 of the North Carolina Constitution would add language stating that individuals convicted of a felony in North Carolina or any other state would be ineligible to serve as a sheriff in North Carolina whether or not his or her rights of citizenship have been restored.

The U.S. Justice Department looks at changes to state constitutions that could potentially affect voting rights to make sure they do not conflict with federal law. As part of that process, the Justice Department accepts comments from the public on such proposed amendments.

To contact the U.S Justice Department with comments about the amendment or its appearance on the November 2, 2010 ballot write: Chief, Voting Section, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice, PO Box 66128, Washington, D.C. 20035-6128.

The North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State has put documents related to the creation of the amendment up on its website in a special section called 2010 Constitutional Amendment on the November Ballot. The section can be found on the Secretary of States website at www.sosnc.com.

North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall chairs the Constitutional Amendments Publication Commission that approved the language for the official explanation of the proposed amendment. That explanation is available at the Departments website and at North Carolina county boards of elections.

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