Should Ex-Felons Be Allowed to Vote?

Dems split on restoring felons voting rights

From the story:

Attorney General Eric Holder’s call to restore voting rights to felons after they’ve served their time in prison has split Senate Democrats.

Liberal Democrats who are not facing tough re-elections this year say it’s the right thing to do, but vulnerable incumbents are steering clear of the proposal.

Holder has become increasingly outspoken recently. This week he declared that state attorneys general are not obligated to defend laws that are discriminatory.

Political experts say barring ex-felons from voting impacts African Americans disproportionately.

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Sure, if you did the time then you can vote. So restore my brother's voting rights.

Of course the Democrats want them to vote.

Oh God *smh* Political experts saying it affects black people disproportionately can suck a fat one. I prefer to call them professional shit-stirrers.

Yes they should be allowed to vote. I also believe that you shouldn't be banned from owning a gun just because you have a felony. It should depend on the felony. Actually now that I think about mit. That same rule should apply to voting. Depending on your felony as to whether or not you should be allowed to vote.

Regardless of how they would vote, shouldn't you be allowed to vote once you "pay your debt" to society?

I think after a person has served their sentence they should be allowed to vote.

I could see their being provisions for people with 1 or maybe 2 felonies, but repeat offenders?

No.

yes, they are still citizens and still should have a say.

Felons and ex-felons should be aloud to vote. That being said Eric Holder is a putz and we should also be able to vote for attorney general.

the proliferation of political "experts", commentators, bloggers, etc... have been the worst thing to happen to the media over the past 20 years.. they contribute nothing of value to our civilization.

Bingo.

I do not understand the infatuation with making life harder for ex-cons. First not being allowed welfare and now not being allowed to vote. Crap like this just encourages recidivism.

People in jail voting? No.

No.

Because it makes people feel happy and that 'justice' has been done. They don't think of the damaging effect it will have to society.

If you serve your time I see no reason why not.

Yes, considering 3% of the adult population is in some form of incarceration, probation, or parole, they'd have great insight into where the system failed them and should have a say in electing people to political office. Besides, like the argument goes against defunding the prison industrial complex (all those people will lose their jobs) being a criminal is almost a civic duty and they should at least be awarded the right to vote.

Though it's a common belief that most felons can't vote, in fact they can once sentence is served in most states.

Yes they should once they've served their sentence.

Why? its true

That doesn't mean it's unfair.

They chose to break the law so they lost their right to vote.

Color shouldn't come into the equation but OMG it's affecting black people disproportionately. Watch out!!!!

This. It's all circumstantial.

The question is kinda goofy. It's like asking 'should women and Blacks have voting rights.' People are not obligated to provide a justification for maintaining voting rights. It's the state that has the burden of providing a justification for revoking said rights.

There should be a path and a set of standards for a felon to vote. 2Chainz can vote and he is an educated felon

It should be based on the degree of the felony. If it was a victimless or non-violent crime I think you should be able to vote after time served. I think crimes such as rape, burglary, child molesting, any violent crime, etc.... no way.

It is pretty sad that Democrats are going down this road, how desperate can you be to stay in power where you need to get votes through criminals and people in country illegally?

I believe banning any criminal from voting brings you one step closer to a totalitarian government.

It's easy think about rapists and the lowest common denominator from having any rights at all because you think they don't deserve any sort of empathy. But U.S. has a lot of laws and a lot of ridiculous methods to turn a non-violent person into a felon.

If a felon's vote is dangerous to a country's society, then I think it has far worst problems...

The way the U.S. is, it's probably necessary. In no time probably half the adult population will have spent some time behind bars.

Why shouldn't they be able to vote? Because they got caught committing a crime? Many (if not most) people commit crimes, and the majority of those who do are never even caught. If a dude who's on a death bed expected to die in 3 days can vote, why can't a guy who's in prison?

As for people IN PRISON, no, no way. You gave up that right when you committed your crime, when you complete the punishment deemed fit by society then you can vote again, not a day earlier.

The thread is about people who have been in prison but have completed their sentence.

After prison, parole and rehabilitation to introduce the person back into being a productive member of society, then you earn the right to vote again.

I don't believe felons should lose their voting rights forever because half of the people who you're voting for are committing felonies, misdemeanors, or in some way or another doing something illegal. They just don't get sent to jail for it. If your corrupt politicians are allowed to vote, why not your ex felons?

You prove you deserve a vote and you get one.

Yes it is easy to think that about rapists....and they DESERVE to be thought of in that way. And wtf do you mean the U.S. turns non-violent people into felons? You sound like an apologist for rapists, wtf? Care to elaborate?

The problem with the United States Justice System is it is not good at rehabing these people, it is just a "punishment". The recidivism rate is absurd for sex offenders, you picked a poor example.

Of course. They payed their debt to society, why shouldn't they have the right to vote?

I agree.

Of course. What's the point of denying political representation to citizens who have already been given the appropriate punishment by the state?