To the editor:

As we approach the upcoming mid-term elections, with so much attention being paid to state and federal candidates, it is sometimes easy to overlook the constitutional amendment questions on the ballot.

These questions would change our existing state constitution. As a person who has a persistent long-term mental illness, I would like to call your attention to Constitutional Amendment Question No. 2.

As the constitution now stands, the Legislature has the power, at any time, to take away the right to vote from the mentally ill. We are the only “classification” of persons so affected by this existing legislative power.

Can you imagine the outcry if women, or a racial, ethnic or religious minority were so singled out? We who are mentally ill are your neighbors, your co-workers, and your fellow tax-paying citizens.

It is time to remove the last vestiges of discrimination from our state constitution. Please vote “yes” on Constitutional Amendment Question No. 2 so that this egregious potential misuse of legislative power is removed from our constitution once and for all. Your support is deeply appreciated.

Bill Simons,

Lawrence