Should felons vote?

[nclib]

Option 1 for me.

Voting is a right, not a privilege.

[PBrunsel]

I think that ex-fellons should be allowed to votes, but not currently imprisoned fellons.

This poll reminds me of a president story:

President Chester Arthur went to a New York City prison to speak before the prisoners. When he arrived he started to say, "Fellow citizens." This didn't owrk because in 1883, when he went there, proisoners were not considered citizens. He then said, "Good day to all you fellons." That sounded terrible! He then chose to skip the introduction and he said, "It's nice to see so many here today."

Another tale is of Richard Nixon visiting a prison. The prisomners nearly rioted, and the warden had to come out and ask what the problem was. The priosners stated listening to the president's speech was not in their sentence.

[JohnFKennedy]

Another tale is of Richard Nixon visiting a prison. The prisomners nearly rioted, and the warden had to come out and ask what the problem was. The priosners stated listening to the president's speech was not in their sentence.

OUCH!

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Another tale is of Richard Nixon visiting a prison. The prisoners nearly rioted, and the warden had to come out and ask what the problem was. The prisoners stated listening to the president's speech was not in their sentence.

Well, we can't have cruel or unusual punishment, can we?

Because the government could potentially use coercion to control their votes, I do not favor allowing prosoners to vote.

[KEmperor]

Definately not current prisoners.  I'm somewhat divided on letting ex-con's vote.  I think it really depends on:

A)  The seriousness of the felony

B)  Whether that person has truly reformed

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Definately not current prisoners.  I'm somewhat divided on letting ex-con's vote.  I think it really depends on:

A)  The seriousness of the felony

B)  Whether that person has truly reformed

The problem with criterium (B) is that opens up the process to potentially being corrupted by "I think yjis guy would vote for the other party, therefore he hasn't truly reformed," type abuses.  Voting rights(along with any other  civil rights denied ny due process) should be restored at the end of any proationary period.  The sole exception should be any felony involving a violation of election laws. That should carry a permanent ban from the voting rolls.

[bgwah]

Option 2.

[Nym90]

Option 1.

[ATFFL]

Option 3.  If you chose to violate other people's rights, you lose some of yours.

I can accept non-violent felons getting the right to vote back, after serving time and an additional period.

Anyone guilty of any felony that results in the death of another should lose the right to vote though.  Their vicitm lost that right and so should they.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Felons should be allowed to vote. They can't do any worse in choosing our leaders than the way things are now.

Only Maine and Vermont let imprisoned felons vote. Look how much better the people in public office there are compared to the rest of the country.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

i voted for option 2. besides we saw how many problems option 3 caused in Florida. it's a matter of convience really. besides felons like Ken Lay are always finding ways to bend the system.

[The Dowager Mod]

Option 2

[Dave from Michigan]

option 2

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

Though I personally know 3 felons I voted option 3. I have talked to them about this and they agree they feel they did a wrong and should not have the right to speak unless they wanted to get their rights restored.

[© tweed]

Option 2

[ijohn57s]

Definately not current prisoners.  I'm somewhat divided on letting ex-con's vote.  I think it really depends on:

A)  The seriousness of the felony

B)  Whether that person has truly reformed

I'd agree, but, how do you define "truly reformed?"

[KEmperor]

Definately not current prisoners.  I'm somewhat divided on letting ex-con's vote.  I think it really depends on:

A)  The seriousness of the felony

B)  Whether that person has truly reformed

I'd agree, but, how do you define "truly reformed?"

I agree that its a subjective term.  Definining it one could say that the person has a steady job, no longer associates with known criminals, and has not committed any crimes in the past year.

[Rixtex]

Option 2. People who did the crime and served the crime are citizens again and allegedly have been rehabilitated. They've paid the price and some attempt should be made to work them back into the mainstream.

[stry_cat]

I agree with the person who said voting is a right not a privilege.  With the all of the stupid laws and  ratcheting up of punishments, you can almost comit 10 felonies before walking out your front door in the morning in some states.  Once they've served their time that should be the end of the punishment.

[zachman]

Society shouldn't be in fear of prisoners taking the nation down the wrong road. I just don't think balloting should be open in the prisons, but otherwise it should be open to everyone over 18.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

They should abolish the voting age.

[KEmperor]

They should abolish the voting age.

Oh yes, because we really want 10 year olds deciding who runs the country.....Bandit, you get more crazy every day.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Oh yes, because we really want 10 year olds deciding who runs the country.....

A bunch of 3-year-olds couldn't possibly do a worse job in choosing our leaders than the people who vote now.

[ATFFL]

Oh yes, because we really want 10 year olds deciding who runs the country.....

A bunch of 3-year-olds couldn't possibly do a worse job in choosing our leaders than the people who vote now.

President Barney.

We'd still have a better leader in office than Chirac though.

[7,052,770]

option 1.  a citizen is a citizen