I feel like without rights restoration, you aren’t totally free from sentencing. When I received my rights restoration paperwork, I felt like I can finally put my past behind me, and work on ensuring the rest of my life is the best I can make it.

[Having my rights restored] has given me a sense of hope when I thought there was no hope for my situation, having been told ‘no’ by three previous administrations. [It felt] like it would take a miracle for my rights to be restored and be able to vote again. Now I feel whole again. It means a great deal to me, for the Governor and his administration to do what they did for me and thousands of others. It means they believe in us and the truth that when you pay your debt to society you shouldn’t be punished twice. I will never take this right for granted ever again. They say you never miss something until you lose it.

[Having my rights restored] has given me confidence to continue to achieve my goals and remember that nothing is impossible. It is one step closer to me getting my record cleared and being embraced as the true community member and leader that I am.

I was overjoyed when I received the letter that my rights had been restored. I felt like a U. S. citizen again. I felt like I am somebody – not just a number, without a voice – but someone, a person, a human being , a citizen with a voice who is going to use it every chance I get.

It means that society has given me another chance and I can start over again in society and exercise my civic duty. A lot of times, people do not get a second chance. I want to make it right, as I am glad I received a second chance. Restoration of my rights means that my life is now 'whole.' Not only have I started over again spiritually, occupationally, and in other aspects of my life, now I have started over again in fulfilling my civic duties and responsibilities. I thank the Governor for allowing me to have a second chance.