Voting Rights for Ex-Felons

[Ebowed]

Of course, I vote Yes.

[Gabu]

After they've gotten out of prison, I don't see why their voting rights can't be restored.  The idea should be that if they get out of prison, they're capable of being normal citizens again.

[Alcon]

I support giving felons the right to vote.

No citizen should be denied the right to vote.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Yes, once they have completed their sentence (including probation/parole).

[A18]

Violent felons? No.

Other felons? Maybe.

I support giving felons the right to vote.

No citizen should be denied the right to vote.

Great. Another wacko who wants four year olds voting.

[Dave from Michigan]

when they get out they should be able to vote again

[Alcon]

Violent felons? No.

Other felons? Maybe.

I support giving felons the right to vote.

No citizen should be denied the right to vote.

Great. Another wacko who wants four year olds voting.

No citizen over 18.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Florida denies to right to vote to future felons. Thomas Cooper was denied the right to vote in Florida in 2000 because he will be convicted of a felony next year.

http://www.gregpalast.com/bestdemocracymoneycanbuychapter1.pdf

[MODU]

I believe ex-felons can regain their right to vote once their full sentence has been completed.  So, say if a felon is released 3 years early for some reason.  They would not be able to vote until those last three years have passed.  That's the punishment for breaking the law.  Sorry Charlie.  If you aren't responsible enough to follow the laws, you DEFINITELY are not responsible enough to vote for people that make the laws.

[CARLHAYDEN]

This is the policy in about eighty per cent of the states, with a handful allowing convicted felons to vote while incarcerated, and a handful prohibiting convicted felons from every voting!

[Jake]

There is no such thing as an ex-felon. Once a felon, always a felon.

[Alcon]

There is no such thing as an ex-felon. Once a felon, always a felon.

Well, definitionally, yeah.

[Cubby]

Laws that take away felons right to vote are an attempt by the Southern States to limit the participation of blacks in the political arena, since they are a much larger percentage of the prison population than in society at large. These laws are probably due to blacks being overwhelmingly Democrat, not just their race.

The problem is that by saying felons should have the right to vote, the Democrats look soft on crime, which has always been a problem for us.

Southern states not letting people vote, gee what else is new?

[Alcon]

Laws that take away felons right to vote are an attempt by the Southern States to limit the participation of blacks in the political arena, since they are a much larger percentage of the prison population than in society at large. These laws are probably due to blacks being overwhelmingly Democrat, not just their race.

The problem is that by saying felons should have the right to vote, the Democrats look soft on crime, which has always been a problem for us.

Southern states not letting people vote, gee what else is new?

I suggest you do your research on what states have these rules before you scream racism.

[Cubby]

Laws that take away felons right to vote are an attempt by the Southern States to limit the participation of blacks in the political arena, since they are a much larger percentage of the prison population than in society at large. These laws are probably due to blacks being overwhelmingly Democrat, not just their race.

The problem is that by saying felons should have the right to vote, the Democrats look soft on crime, which has always been a problem for us.

Southern states not letting people vote, gee what else is new?

I suggest you do your research on what states have these rules before you scream racism.

I never scream racism. And I'm tired and I have to go to work tomorrow, I'm not doing any research tonight.

Even if its not racism, then it's still done to prevent potential Democratic votes. The GOP probably assumes that prisoners are more likely to vote that way. I'm not saying this as a fact, just a thought.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

I support giving felons the right to vote.

No citizen should be denied the right to vote.

No citizen should be deprived of life, liberty, or property by some worthless criminal thug.  That's a much more important concept to me than the thug's right to vote.  I am all for a "restoration of rights" procedure like we have now that can return voting rights to those who have proven themselves to have changed and become productive members of society.  But in no way should it be automatic.

Those that shed the blood of their fellow citizen for their own greed or interests are not worthy to partake in the right that was passed down to us by those that shed their blood for the good of their country.

[Alcon]

Well, fine, political opportunism through racial prejudicing, Pym.  Whatever you were implying.

In any case, I'll do your research for you.

>30 states allow felons to vote
>50 states don't
>70 states don't, and permanently remove rights after two felonies
>90 states don't, and permanently remove rights after one felony



As you can see, other than the most socially liberal states (plus one of the most conservative) having felons voting, there is no real political pattern here.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

Damn racist Minnesotans.

[Gabu]

>30 states allow felons to vote
>50 states don't
>70 states don't, and permanently remove rights after two felonies
>90 states don't, and permanently remove rights after one felony

Nebraska confuses the heck out of me there.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

Nebraska confuses the heck out of me there.

Remember, they don't have felons in Nebraska

[J. J.]

If they have finshed their parole (if any), I'm in favor of it.  Once they have paid their debt to society, that should clear the books.

[Ebowed]

I believe Iowa's legislature will soon be voting on either restoring voting rights to all or voting rights to ex-felons.  Nebraska is an odd case, much like North Dakota being one of the handful of states that has no capital punishment.  It should be noted that while capital punishment is legal in Nebraska, it has not been used since its reinstatement in 1976.  (Every other state that allows felons to vote has also abolished capital punishment, for what it's worth.)

Denying felons and ex-felons the right to vote is fairly widespread throughout the country, so it is not really concentrated in the Southeast.  It is interesting that Democrats accuse Republicans of trying to steal elections by taking away voting rights while Republicans accuse Democrats of trying to get more votes than they deserve.  (All generalizations, of course.)

An interesting (but slightly outdated) article on the subject follows:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mfelonvote.html

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

If you take the rights away of another citizen (ie murder) you should never have your rights restored. And in all honesty you most likely shouldn't be walking around on this earth anymore anyhow.

[opebo]

If you take the rights away of another citizen (ie murder) you should never have your rights restored. And in all honesty you most likely shouldn't be walking around on this earth anymore anyhow.

Oh please, JustJeff, the vast majority of felons never harmed anyone - they sold drugs, or had sex with a minor - in both cases benefiting people, not harming them.  The Police State exerts social control in myriad ways, this is just one...

[MasterJedi]

After they've gotten out of prison, I don't see why their voting rights can't be restored.  The idea should be that if they get out of prison, they're capable of being normal citizens again.

^^^^^