Democratic group uses ex-cons in voter drive

A Democratic group crucial to John Kerry's presidential campaign has paid criminals - some convicted of sex offences, assault and burglary - to conduct door-to-door voter registration drives in at least three states.

America Coming Together, which argues that convicted criminals deserve a second chance, employs felons as voter canvassers in cities in Missouri, Florida, Ohio and perhaps other states among the 17 it is targeting.

Some of the criminals lived in halfway houses, and at least four have returned to prison.

Canvassers ask residents which issues are important to them and, if they are not registered, sign them up as voters. They gather telephone numbers and other personal information, such as driver's licence numbers or partial Social Security numbers, depending on what a state requires for voter registration.