Should felons vote?

[??????????]

Most of those who committed murder just barely have the right to live. Why in the world should we give them the vote?

[dazzleman]

I am not in favor of allowing felons to vote.

My inclination is to think that we should have harsher, and not more lenient, treatment of serious criminals, and I see no reason to extend more rights to these people than they already have.

I would be open to the idea of reinstating their voting rights after they have served their full sentence and their parole, or maybe a certain amount of time after that.

But being able to vote while in prison or under criminal justice supervision for a felony - no way.

[Matt]

option 2

[John Dibble]

Once they've served their time, I'm fine with allowing them to vote. Why should I care - most of them didn't vote before incarceration and I doubt they'd be just as likely not to vote afterwards.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Inasmuch as many convicted felons are released early from physical confinement, but placed on probation (to save taxpayer money), their sentences have not really been completed until they complete their probation.

Also, most states do provide for an application to a court for restoration of civil rights upon completion of probation (which is routinely granted unless the applicant has been rearrested).

I would also recommend that the disabling of voting rights should only occur for those convicted of malum in se felonies.

[cwelsch]

Screw felons.  No guns, no votes.  They violated the rights of others, they have no right to determine the fate of others in elections.  They have shown their willingness to disregard rights, therefore they cannot be trusted to safeguard rights.

Murderers, rapists and child molesters should spend their time thanking us for not being executed.  Voting and gun possession are beyond that.  Although I'll concede other rights, such as speech and petition.

[A18]

A vote affects the entire country. If you killed someone, beg the Governor.

[Hatman 🍁]

It looks like America has flushed democracy down the toilet with this one.

You know, in Canada only 2 citizens over the age of 18 cannot vote. There was some worry the prisoners would effect the vote, but that was just right wing propoganda, the politicians didn't even care about the prisoner vote.

And I agree with whoever said the voting age should be abolished, it's not like they would voute anyways.

[angus]

Option 1 for me.

Voting is a right, not a privilege.

I agree with that.  I'd only amend it to say that felons who are convicted and sentenced to capital crimes shouldn't vote.  Much as capital punishment offends me, the thought of all those dead democrats voting offends me even more.

[CollectiveInterest]

Does the law apply to felons?

Do commuties get representation in the legislature based on felons living there?

Do felons pay taxes?

The governed have an absolute right to participate in their governance.

[??????????]

Does the law apply to felons?

Do commuties get representation in the legislature based on felons living there?

Do felons pay taxes?

The governed have an absolute right to participate in their governance.

If a person intentionally destroys a innocents rights to the above then they deserve no rights themselves. Of course if our justice system actually worked we wouldn't be having this argument because they'd be pushing daisies.

[Nation]

Option 2 seems fair.

[lidaker]

In a democracy, all people should be allowed to vote.

[minionofmidas]

In a democracy, all people should be allowed to vote.

It's the definition of Democracy, really.

[angus]

In a democracy, all people should be allowed to vote.

It's the definition of Democracy, really.

you'd get along with H. Ross Perot, if you believe that.  Electronic town halls, direct democracy, and such.  Bad idea?  Just ask any legislator from any state out West.  Popular sovereignty has not been kind to CA and CO, to take two examples.  Your Republic, like mine, still practices indirect democracy.  That's probably for the best.  Still, I can think of no a priori reason not to allow criminals to vote, save punitive ones.  Let 'em vote for their representatives in an *indirect* democracy.  Just don't allow the dead to vote, like they do back East, that's all I'd caution against.

[Dr. Cynic]

I'll take the middle ground and say after their terms.

[patrick1]

I am astounded by the amount of people who believe that felons should be able to vote.  Rapists, murderes and pedophiles should be able to vote....great!  Voting is a right of all citizens.  However, we live in a free society with a social contract.  If you violate the law in what society deems a severe offense, you forfeit those rights.  And if the shi*bag who killed my cousin ever gets out of prison and wants to vote; I will be waiting there on the line to stuff his ballot down his throat.

   Certain crimes should not be felonies though and I would be willing to make a small amount of exceptions.

[Dr. Cynic]

After their sentances. Most murderes don't get out of prison.

[nclib]

Once they've served their time, I'm fine with allowing them to vote. Why should I care - most of them didn't vote before incarceration and I doubt they'd be just as likely not to vote afterwards.

Exactly. I actually think it's a good sign that a felon/ex-felon would want to vote (hence expressing concern for his/her country).

[Andrew]

I voted for option 1, but I really have no problem with option 2.

[Dr. Cynic]

Excuse me, I meant to say WHEN They are Sentanced.

[badnarikin04]

DEFINETLY option 1.


I personally think it helps third parties too because some prisoners in for nonviolent crimes would vote for someone who would free them.

<insert Badnarik plug here>

[CARLHAYDEN]

i've been tabulating the responses, and they are unsuprising.

Left oriented posters appear to very narrowly favor option 1 to option 2 (so far) with none supporting option 3.

Right oriented posters overwhelmingly favor option 2, by two to one over option 3.

[Bogart]

Once they have served their term, voting, like all their rights, should be reinstated.

[CollectiveInterest]

What's wrong with letting felons vote from prison?

Is voting a right? Or is governing a right? Who exists to serve whom?

How would letting felons vote corrupt the system?