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Former inmate urges Fort Worth to help restore voting access for ex-offenders
Summary
A Fort Worth resident who said he is an ex-offender urged the council to assist people with criminal records regain voting access and recognition as citizens.
Randolph Shahid, who said he has been an ex-offender for 41 years, told the council he feels invisible and urged the city to help residents with criminal convictions regain civic participation and the ability to vote.
"All I wanted to do was get out and be a citizen that everybody would be proud of," Shahid said. He said he has repeatedly sought help from council members to restore rights and find opportunities to contribute, and that he receives no reply from city officials.
Shahid described his hopes to use his experience to steer people away from crime and said he has no criminal record since release. He asked the council to engage with and support former offenders seeking to re-enter civic life. The transcript records his public comment; no formal council response or specific staff action was recorded during the meeting.
