Do you think criminals should have the right to vote?

Question

I never really got this one. How could anyone be in favor of this, but it seems the vast majority of people think that it a good thing. Don't they think that it is very dangerous to start saying who can and can not vote? Shouldn't people effected by laws have as much say as anyone else? How is someone supposed to feel any sense of civic responsibility when they are denied the corner stone of being a citizen in a democracy or republic? Do people actually think that disenfranchisement is a detourant of crime? And if the number of voters in prison becomes significant doesn't that say something about the state of our nation?

I've got an uncle who when he was a kid got into coke. By the time he was 18 he was freebasing crack and stole my grandfather's car. It was my grandfather that called the police on him and my uncle went to prison for a year. While in prison he did the NA thing and got himself together. Today he has made millions in the construction business and has a wife and two kids and hasn't ever been in trouble with the law since. But all the same, he is completely barred from ever voting for the rest of his life because of some stupid stuff he did as a kid. Is that right?

Answer 1

I think that they should be allowed to vote. My main reason behind this, is to give them a sense of belonging in a country that has made them a pariah. It gives them a responsibility and a tie to this country.



I have two friends that are felons. They can't vote for 10 years. Voting is a right, not a form of reward or punishment. If you are a US citizen, then you should have a voice.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I believe that is a right that shouldn't be regulated , if the person has done his time . I regretfully picked up a felony for drunk driving years ago & it still haunts me . While I am able to vote now, I couldn't while I was on probation. But I can never go hunting again, I am restricted from certain jobs , & am singled out if ever in confrontation with the police( I observe the law & lead a clean lifestyle ) I agree to an extent that rights shouldn't be removed & should possibly reflect the crime. Over something stupid , you pay with your life forever. No redemption. Most people who vote never consider what an honor it is until it's stripped from them. No wonder(not me) a lot of criminals return to crime when faced with alienation & no support from their government.It's a hard call.I also heard that if you've done prison time, that you aren't eligible for food stamps or any kind of assistance.Thank God I never did anything that serious , but people still have a basic right of survival - if not, then why not execute them instead of debasing them.Again, it depends on the crime & situation. Food for thought. Vote if you can!

Answer 4

Yes ,I think everyone has a right to give their opinion ,I am a felon , and have been for about 9 years and am not allowed to vote , no I am not a drug dealer or a murderer or a violent criminal but that's not the point ,I believe everyone that lives in our great country deserve a voice even the people who made stupid mistakes (never touch a law enforcement officer in any way ) I learned a lesson when I put my hand on a cops arm to try and explain a situation inside a bar ,(i called the cops) and she threw me to the ground and then pulled me up from ground and slammed me into the hood of her patrol car and hand cuffed me and ..never told me I was being arrested and for what or read me my miranda rights the judge laughed when I went to court because the state attorney told him I beat up a cop I am 4'11 inches tall and weighed about 98 pounds she was about 5'9 and 170 pounds the court appointed attorney entered a plea of nolo contendo [no contest ]because you can't touch a law enforcement officer under any circumstancesand I got 2 years probation 1, 800 hours of community service and I had to pay $2,800 restitution to her for mental anguish I had ajudication withheld and could have my record expunged if I had the money but I don't so I will be a felon for the rest of my life and many of my civil rights were taken away for it ,having the right to vote, never being able to be personal representative in a probate [been through that too ] never being able to own a fire arm among too many other things to mention ,but the most important thing to me is knowing everyone can find this out and judge me because of it basically it has effected my life trying to do the right thing I will regret it forever

Answer 5

i think barring them from voting makes the whole process unfair, or inaccurate. most low income families and households have a criminal background and to me that makes it so that low income families cant put in their opinion or vote for who they feel can help them. not all criminals are the same as u said your uncle changed his life around, and i think those are the ones who have more of an idea of what can be done to turn others around. its the same with jobs, yea its scary to have an ex felon helping run your business but how do we expect them to get good jobs to be able to make the money they need to support their family, instead they just go back to what they did to get in trouble bc there is no other option. and you can say they should have thought about it when they were young before they did the crime but where you grow up has a lot to do with what they get into and in some neighborhoods the culture makes almost everything u do illegal but its normal and growing up that way as a kid it seems like its ok, even as a young adult, a lot of times being incarcerated is what changes them and shows them what needs to be changed

Answer 6

Your uncle is one of the rare people who actually got his life completely together. Way too many criminals in prison stay in the prison system. They keep going in and out. If your uncle is allowed to vote then where do we draw the line? We can't set double standards here. That's why it's set up that convicted criminals can't vote. If we start letting criminals vote, there is going to be a lot more criminal activity within the voting system. That's something I don't want. So, I'm really sorry for your uncle, but I don't think criminals should be able to vote. I may not have done a great job explaining it in type, but I feel strongly about it.

Answer 7

Basic case of taxation without representation. One of the issues that brought about the revolution. But it is argued that by committing a crime one gives up their rights. Of course we call it paying their debt to society. Yet it is a debt that cannot ever be paid back in the eyes of some. But what do they care as long as the person in question still has to pay taxes that's all that matters right? Give us the money, whether or not you are allowed to vote is of no consequence.

Not how I look at it but it seems to be the consensus.

Answer 8

Hotep,



Call me silly, but I would prefer togo by the constitution. The right to vote are rights, not privileges, guaranteed by the constitution. It is illegal to deny said rights. For those who are afraid to give former prisoners the right to vote, because it my lead to a thug state, look at this countries politicians. If the citizens of this country committed half as much crime as their politicians, there wouldn't be a citizen eligible to vote.

In closing, the law varies from state to state, certain states allow former felons to vote.



Salaam, shalom, peace

Answer 9

It is not a perfect law, but I am not for going to all the penal institutes and passing out a bunch of absentee ballots. That just wouldn't be sensible.



Being banned for life seems pretty severe, but can you imagine the governmental boon-doggle that would be created if we had to constantly be moving convicted felons from the "ok-to-vote" list and the "not-ok-to-vote" list?? Recidivism rates are extremely high, so you'd need a whole army of new government employees just to keep track of things. Frankly, that's not how I want my tax dollars spent.

Answer 10

I think that voting rights should be taken away from convicted felons, however I think that they should be restored after sometime with a clean record. Many states will restore the voting rights after sometime. Do a little research in your state and see if your state has a process for this.

Answer 11

it particularly is kinda absurd that as I sat all the way down to form this, i've got spilt coffee down my perfect! Oh properly! And now all of us know why Hilary and Kerry appeared into restoring balloting rights for convicted felons lol Laters!

Answer 12

I feel that if the debt to society was satisfied that the person should be able to vote. For instance..a felon released on parole would be able to vote only after completing the parole succesfully. I agree and good for your uncle.

Answer 13

In most states felons who first offenders will regain the right to vote when they are no longer under an order of imprisonment, meaning their parole period has ended. They must reregister however.

Answer 14

Yes and why

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If you went door to door and ask if anyone in this house has shopped lifted or lied to get something

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Or did anything that could of gotten them arrested even DUI not getting pulled over included

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You'd see 80% of the people in the United States in prison

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Answer 15

Yes i think that every one in America should have the right to vote. Convicted felons pay for the crimes they committ! So why take away their right to vote? If foreigners have the right to vote then so should everyone else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 16

In principle, definately. In practice, I'm a lot more concerned with counting a few, just to break the monotony.

Answer 17

I don't believe it is right for felons to be barred from voting for life. It disenfranchises a huge section of the population and is directly linked to race and socio economic status.

Answer 18

well.. i do believe that when you f*ck up like that, (even if you've changed your life afterwards) you've already given up your right of civic responsiblity and voice in the world, being that a criminal has attempted or has taken away the rights of the public. (giving up the trust) even fickle disturbances like that of your uncles.

it's too bad that it had to happen to you and your family, but the way i see it is how i stated above - you wrong your community, your rights are taken away.

Answer 19

No, I don't think that is right, he is a legal, tax paying citizen and believe me, he is paying. I feel people who are currently incarcerated have no right to vote, they are locked away from society. They are not productive members of this nation.

Answer 20

The answer is 'NO' but you have to define what a 'criminal' is. Of course I also feel that people on welfare, or who don't have jobs, or who don't pay taxes, or who don't own property shouldn't be allowed to vote either!

EDIT: How 'bout this: you don't have to have a job, or pay taxes or own property, in fact they only way you should be allowed to vote is by earning the right by serving in the Armed Forces! You don't have the moral courage to stand up and be counted in that long line of patriots who have defended our country you sure as hell don't have the 'right' to make decisions that affect MY life! Make that the number one critera for being a cop, lawyer, judge or politician...

Answer 21

Yes. Any citizen of the U.S. should have the right to vote. I was under the understanding that felons could vote once they've served their time?

Answer 22

If your story is true then your uncle can have his voting rights restored.

Answer 23

He can apply to get his civil rights, All he has to do is apply,he can do it on line

Answer 24

If they have served their time and paid restitution (if ordered).

Answer 25

Voting is only for law abiding citizens.

Answer 26

No because I do not want a thug state

Answer 27

well their in jail so it doesnt make mush difference to them

:)

Answer 28

should depend on their crimes

Answer 29

hell no.