Disenfranchisement is the condition in which people with felonies are not allowed to vote in elections. In states like Vermont and Maine felons are allowed to vote while in prison, while nine states permanently restrict felons from voting. The idea of taking away a criminal’s right to vote has been around since ancient Rome and Greece. It’s part of a condition known as “Civil death”. “Civil death” in Europe involved the loss of the right to appear in court, loss of property and the loss of voting rights. “Civil death” was brought to America when the English colonist arrived. The majority of its aspects were however abolished and only felon disenfranchisement still exists today in modern America. Many people however, do not agree with this voting restriction.
A felon’s judgement is an area in which people do not trust when picking a leader for the country. The Pro side to felon voting, argues that if we let ex-convicts drive, buy beer, reproduce and marry, why not vote? If people thought criminals could never change their ways and reform themselves, they would not let them out of prison in the first place. The people against felons voting argue that they cannot be trusted with picking a leader out for the country because they have proven with their actions that they are not trustworthy. And that like children, non-citizens and mentally incompetent people are not allowed to vote they should not be either.
Some people use the Eighth Amendment in order to allow felons to vote. The eighth amendment prohibits excessive sanctions and demands that the punishment for the crime should be proportioned to the offense. This means that states that exclude all felons permanently are out liars to both the U.S. and the rest of the world. Other people use the fourteenth amendment, which contain felon disenfranchisement laws. And that only the only those with racially discriminatory purpose are unconstitutional. The argument that allowing prisoners to vote could be costly is unjustifiable. Prisoners already lose a lot of freedom and rights, but that doesn’t mean that they should lose all of their civil rights. By allowing prisoners to vote, may help them come back into society and commit to the common good. Many people argue that the main point of a prison sentence is to show that when a crime is committed, the consequences result in a total loss of freedom and rights.
In my personal opinion. I feel that felons should not be denied the right to vote. Yes, they made a mistake but that doesn’t mean that they should be deprived of participating in such a huge event. Individuals are always encouraging people to vote and say that there should be more people voting, yet they are against felons voting. The simple fact that they want to vote shows that they actually do care about what happens in the Country and that they want to do what’s best for it. Many people who are allowed to vote might not even care and just vote because they want to follow the crowd. And if there is someone in jail who actually does care, why not allow them to. Sure they made a mistake, but who hasn’t? That’s why I think that felons should be allowed to vote after and while in prison.
Check out this video for more information!
Sources:
http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/felon-voting-rights.aspx
http://felonvoting.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000283
https://exoffenders.net/felon-voting-rights/
