Many states in the United States deprive the right to vote for those who committed felony crimes (serious crimes), and including many other rights as a citizen: holding a public office, public employment, occupational license, and so on. This is commonly refers to "disenfranchisement."
However, the right to vote is a very important citizen's political right. Do you think the deprivation of right to vote for being convicted for a felony crime is reasonable or justifiable act by the state? Some states deprive the right to vote for convicted felons only when they are in prison; but sometime convicted felons do not enjoy the right to vote even after the release from their prisons. What is your opinion on this issue?
Dear Utku,
Your answer is very interesting and though-provoking. I really appreciate it.
sincerely
Don
I was informed by our Public Defender several decades ago that the voting rights were restored to ex-felons UNLESS they were convicted of voter fraud (per case law). He said this was done because the act of committing a felony should not deprive a person of the ability to influence the political decisions which affect their lives. Here is a citation which might shed some light on the subject. Richardson v. Ramirez, 418 U.S. 24, 94 S. Ct. 2655, 41 L. Ed. 2d 551 (1974).
Dear Nada,
It may be true for several decades ago. The citation is in 1974.
Please see the current state laws regarding the voting right for the convicted felons in the following link:
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/voting-in-your-state/special-circumstances/voting-as-an-ex-offender/
Nada, thank you for your input.
Sincerely
Don
As you are asking for an opinion, I strongly believe that former inmates should be allowed the right to vote. If we are really stress a reintegration into society with opportunities for employment and an emphasis on reducing the rate of recidivism, I think it is important to restore as many rights as practical to the former offender. The desire to obtain and exercise the right to vote, to me, is a positive sign of a desire to exercise positive and responsible citizenship.
.I feel that former offenders should have the opportunity for their right to vote to be restored. If we're expecting them to become productive citizens upon release, it is reasonable to afford them all of the rights and privileges of any other citizen unless there is a danger to the public
Dear David and Ashley,
I agree that depriving the right to vote is not good for an ex-convict’s integration into his or her community.
Since the 1970s, the goals of punishment in the United States have changed from rehabilitation/ reintegration to retribution (“eye for an eye” principle) / isolation/ just desert. The change has been partially influenced by citizens’ demand for tough on crime. Thus, the penal policies in the United States have been based on penal populism. In other words, to be reelected lawmakers and judges, who are elected by residents in their jurisdictions, tend to reflect citizens’ demand for tough on crime.
If we hope that ex-convicts be reintegrated into their communities and live as productive and law-abiding citizens, I believe that we must restore their right to vote when they complete their sentences (any other types of sentences including incarceration and probation).
Another issue associated with depriving the right to vote is that depriving the right to vote is more likely to affect African American populations than whites as disproportionately large numbers of African Americans are convicted of their felony crimes.
David and Ashley, thank you so much for your inputs.
Sincerely
Don
My thoughts are that an offender who is in prison should not be able to vote. However on release I do believe they should be able to vote as long as the offence did bit include an offence including vote fixing etc.
I feel rights such as voting should be restored while not some on automatic firearm possession if the crime is domestic or of other violence. If we want the former offender to become a productive member of society, gain and maintain employment, they should have the opportunity to vote.
Great point, both Leisa, I could not agree more. Excellent observations indeed.
Great point, Leisa, I could not agree more. Excellent observations indeed.
Great point, Leisa, I could not agree more. Excellent observations indeed.
Just found this! I was once told by a Canadian official that there's no such thing as as "right to vote". Voting, properly understood, is a privilege. As such, it's granted by authority and may be taken away by it. Oh those quirky Canucks! Don't you just love 'um 'eh? So different to their neighbours!
Christopher NOCK
If that immigration official was correct, it changes the entire issue. Prisoners tend to be quite aware that privileges can disappear when they've been particularly naughty.
I suspect he was correct. Why? Well you can only vote in authorized elections and on authorized issues, in properly authorized jurisdictions. A Californian doesn't often have the right to travel to vote in Wisconsin. That would be unauthorised.
Yea, I do like Canadians. That might explain why I married one!
NOCK
I have no secure knowledige on this issue. In Germany there is a right that imprisoned can vote, but the procedure is a little limitied, so postal vote is possible. People who are imprisoned because of electoral fraud are not allowed voting, I think. I have no exact knowledge, but I knwo that in 19th century imprisoners had no right to vote.
Well, thanks for having a go at it Hein! Do you think voting is a right? Or do the Canadians have a point??
NOCK
I concur with David and Ashley. Although one's voting rights may be revoked during incarceration while someone pays their debt to society, restoration is important with respect to integrating someone into society after release. Good points, folks.
This is not inconsistent with the Canadian view. However, you refer again to the "right" to vote. Canadians question whether there is such a thing. If there isn't, the "American" view would be effectively meaningless. That's the depth of what's at stake here!
NOCK
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