Voting Rights

“We let ex-convicts marry, reproduce, buy beer, own property and drive. They don’t lose their freedom of religion, their right against self-incrimination… they can’t be trusted to help choose our leaders… If we thought criminals could never be reformed, we wouldn’t let them out of prison in the first place (Chapman, Steve).” Many believe that felons should be able to vote due to the fact that they served their time in prison and already received their consequence. When felons already served their time, they are told they have their “freedom”. Yet, they do not have the same rights they did before they were arrested. Felons have paid enough of a price by serving their assigned sentence which shouldn’t lead

Felons need voting rights too! Felons and voting rights are starting to become a big deal. Felons are wanting the right to vote, but some states will not give them that right. All states should let felons vote depending on how severe their crime was. It is not right to deny someone the right to vote. There are multiple reasons for why they shouldn't vote, but there are also some good reasons or why they should be able to vote. Felons deserve the right to vote for multiple reasons.

There are many ex-felon’s in past years that could not vote as stated “ Because of America’s unique rules, some 3.5-4 million citizens as of 2000 and 2004 respectively are out of prison, but not allowed to vote” (Enten 6). Millions of ex-felon citizens have been denied their right to vote, which is wrong. The good and the bad makes up the society and the world. People who committed these felonies and have paid their dues back to the society, may not be the same person they were when committed the crime. If the individual has completed their sentence, along with probation and parole, which then means they are safe to return to society and resume back to their civilized life, their right to vote should come back with it.

Should ex-felons be able to vote once they complete their sentence in prison? About 5 million people with a felony conviction can’t cast a vote in elections. In different states, there are different laws which mean some states go about felon voting differently. There are 9 states who permanently banned you from voting. People who are against ex -felons rights being restored argue no, because they feel that felons couldn’t make logic decisions before they got in prison so why would they be able to make logic decisions once they’re out. People who are for felons to be able to vote argue yes, because regardless of what they have done in their past, they’ve already paid for their crime and it is unfair. (Feaser). By law American citizens have the right to vote. Felons who have paid their debt to society by completing their sentences should have all their rights and privileges restored. By letting felons vote it will make the voting more diverse, and equal. Also allowing felons to vote will help with their transition back into society.

“There is an estimated number of 5.85 million Americans who are prohibited from voting due to laws that disenfranchise citizens convicted of felony offenses.” (Uggen). Varying by state, each disenfranchisement law is different. Only 2 out of 50 U.S. states; Vermont & Maine, authorize voting from convicted felons incarcerated and liberated as shown in (Fig. 1). But of the 48 remaining states these rights are either prohibited or authorized in at least 5 years succeeding to liberation. This disenfranchisement needs to be retracted due to fact that convicted felons; incarcerated or liberated, are U.S. citizens who are guaranteed constitutional rights that should allow them as citizens to have equal opportunity in political and social

There are tons of people who believe that prisoners convicted of crimes and receiving a felony should not have the right to vote. They should be punished, voting rights removed, do their time and walk away. However, many people think prison should be about serving your time, not losing your right to vote when u already have lost your freedom of speech along with their say in things to come.

Furthermore, ex-felons should be allowed to vote because it would help them while being re-introduced into society. The criminals would learn the value of the law to strengthen their participating in common practices. Even prisoners would come to respect the law and contribute to the “common good” with voting rights. It would be helpful for these individuals because they would be able to become important to society rather than a menace. Criminals would benefit our society more if they are treated equally for their contribution of voting rather than as an

Felons in and out of prison are not allowed to vote in the majority of the states. Not including Maine and Vermont, “48 states currently restrict the right of felons to vote” (Feser). “An estimated 5.85 million people with a felony conviction are barred from voting in elections - a condition known as disenfranchisement” (ProCon). Every state has their own laws regarding disenfranchisement. According to “Should Felons Vote?”, there was “a movement to overturn these restrictions that gained swift momentum during the 2004 presidential campaign, and pending legal and legislative measures promise to keep the issue in the headlines in the months to come” (Feser).

Felons should have every right to vote, although they have broke the law the goal for them is to become a law abiding citizen when they leave jail. It is unjust to take away their freedom of speech because of their past. There are many felons who did not comment violent crimes .Many people see felon as a threat to society but do not understand the process they have to go through to start their lives over after leaving jail. Society makes it very hard for felons to receive employment.

In Florida alone, more than 750,000 persons who have completed their sentences are ineligible to vote” (King, 2009). Those states who choose not to allow felons to vote feel as though they do not have the right to vote, because they have committed felony acts. Having that many people who can’t vote harms the U.S. due to the fact that they are unable to voice their opinion or input by voting.

There are currently only 2 states in the United states of America that has no restrictions on felon voting rights- Maine and Vermont- and there are ten states, which includes Florida, Arizona, and Delaware to name a few that does otherwise. A crime as little as theft can result to a person having one less human right, which is the ability to vote. However, these laws are unjust; felon disenfranchisement violates the eighth amendment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Some felons serve for a great amount of time that when they come back to the society a lot has changed to the extent that they would be clueless on how to go about in it, such that new policies and norms are being enforced. Voting can also be a helpful coping tool for felons.

But the reality is many past felons go through their life not knowing that they can actually vote upon completing their sentence. Once they are in prison, they hate the system and have lost their rights to be a part of society again. So they must be educated on when they can gain this right amongst other if it is possible. Although, those ex-felons who previously could not vote and now can, the journey to vote is long and difficult. Depending on the state and their laws some felons can gain their right after completing their sentence and parole or probation. However, some states make it harder for those who re-register for voting more complicated. They create barriers where ex-felons must go through that ultimately make it nearly impossible to vote again. There are a lot of things to take into account such as the date of the crime, the conviction and the nature of the crime. It adds more unnecessary time to grant them their right back. Even after all that, felons must fill out lengthy paperwork and the inconsistency the law is even if it is stated clearly. The lack of information plays an essential part in their understanding of whether they gain this fundamental right back. This must be changed in order to give past felons their best shot in voting in the future. In prison there should be classes where they can go and get the knowledge they need. After being released from prison as well, there should be a pamphlet or book that they can read to understand how to gain their voting rights or any other right back. They are still citizens of the United States and should not have to have that jeopardized or

The United States currently prohibits felons from voting. This practice is unwarranted as it prevents millions of Americans who’ve been convicted for something as widespread as possessing marijuana and who’ve already served their time from voting, and furthermore, it markedly changes the electorate and contributes to minorities not being well represented. Taking these considerations into account, the United States should allow felons to vote after they have served their time.

Do you think people who have been convicted of a crime should be allowed to vote? Felon voting has constantly been a controversial topic discussed over the years in our society. Some believe that “voting is not a privilege, and is a fundamental right” like Waverly Jones, Jr. While others, shown by the editorial from the Daily Leader, believe “that it is only a right given to law-abiding citizens.” Allowing felons to vote is not in our country’s best interest.

One of the most controversial issues in society today is whether or not convicted felonies should be allowed to vote. According to the law , Voting is entitled to everyone once he or she have reached the age of 18, but what happens if he or she breaks the law? Do felonies still have the right to vote for upcoming candidates, or once the law has been demolished has their right to vote been abandon? The United States is one of the strictest nations when it comes to rejecting the right to vote to felonies who have been accused of serious crimes. Thousands of Americans are not allowed to vote because of what they call “felon disenfranchisement,” which is referring to those people who are banned from voting due to a conviction of a criminal offense usually restricted from serious of crimes (Teen Nick). Felonies who have completed their time or who still is serving time when their debt is paid it is important to bring their rights back and allow them to vote again. While many argue whether felonies should or should not have the right to vote, Felonies who are given