An Inmate Does NOT Deserve The Right To Vote

is one of only a few states that allow convicted felons to vote upon their release from prison

If someone is a felon it might be confusing to know whether they can vote or not. Also, Voting will raise by ⅛ of the people. Plus, they are human they make mistakes so they at least deserve 2nd chances. Overall, felons should

Felons in and out of prison are not allowed to vote in the majority of the states. Not including Maine and Vermont, “48 states currently restrict the right of felons to vote” (Feser). “An estimated 5.85 million people with a felony conviction are barred from voting in elections - a condition known as disenfranchisement” (ProCon). Every state has their own laws regarding disenfranchisement. According to “Should Felons Vote?”, there was “a movement to overturn these restrictions that gained swift momentum during the 2004 presidential campaign, and pending legal and legislative measures promise to keep the issue in the headlines in the months to come” (Feser).

I think America needs to change its policy. Felons are still American citizens who deserve the rights and liberties they are born with. Once they completed their sentences, they should receive all of their rights. Infringing on their right to vote creates the precedent that they are longer able to trusted in society. I believe felons deserve a second chance to become good citizens. Denying them of their rights can make less motivated to want to change.

There are many ex-felon’s in past years that could not vote as stated “ Because of America’s unique rules, some 3.5-4 million citizens as of 2000 and 2004 respectively are out of prison, but not allowed to vote” (Enten 6). Millions of ex-felon citizens have been denied their right to vote, which is wrong. The good and the bad makes up the society and the world. People who committed these felonies and have paid their dues back to the society, may not be the same person they were when committed the crime. If the individual has completed their sentence, along with probation and parole, which then means they are safe to return to society and resume back to their civilized life, their right to vote should come back with it.

Anyhow, there are people who believe that felons should not be given the right to vote once they are out due to the fact that they have broken the law and don’t have the right to choose a leader. For instance, the declaration of Independence states that unalienable rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It does not say life, liberty and the right to vote. John Locke, who played an important part in the founding of America, also believed that each individual had certain rights that by nature they were entitled to, however, he also believed that the government had a duty to protect those rights. If someone violates another’s rights to life, liberty and property, then they forfeit their own rights to these things and society can punish him by removing their rights. The criminal has broken their social contract and violated the trust of their fellow citizens. In addition, not everyone is allowed to vote. Children, non citizens and those mentally incompetent are among those whose rights. “Voting requires certain minimum, objective standards of trustworthiness, loyalty and responsibility, and those who have

Felon voting is legal in some states if they have completed their time. Even though it is legal in many states, it does not mean that ex-convicts are trustworthy enough to decide what laws are put in place, when they can’t even follow them. All 50 states should ban the right for felons to vote after they have served their time. Felon voting happens across all around the United States. In most states the right to vote after they have completed their time has been banned for life, but in states like Maine and Vermont, felons can vote even in prison (Debate…). Most of the ex-cons that can vote, the crime they committed is usually not as serious than other felons that can’t vote anymore because their crime was really serious. “White collar

In the article, "Felons and the Right to Vote," claims of fact, value, and policy are used. The author's first claim sets the subject for the rest of the piece, "Denying the vote to ex-offenders is antidemocratic, and undermines the nation's commitment to rehabilitating people who have paid their debt to society." This is a claim of value, stating that not allowing ex-offenders to vote is against the philosophy of our democratic government and dismisses the time they have served for their crimes. This is a claim of value because the evidence used, later on, argues that the current actions of the government relating to the suffrage of ex-felons, is morally wrong. The speaker challenges the audience to think about right vs. wrong, good vs. bad.

Felons need voting rights too! Felons and voting rights are starting to become a big deal. Felons are wanting the right to vote, but some states will not give them that right. All states should let felons vote depending on how severe their crime was. It is not right to deny someone the right to vote. There are multiple reasons for why they shouldn't vote, but there are also some good reasons or why they should be able to vote. Felons deserve the right to vote for multiple reasons.

The votes of felons are also relevant enough that if they were permitted to engage in democracy, they could change political outcomes. While disenfranchised felons only make up a little over 2% of the voting age population, their votes have been found to have enough influence to affect elections. Since those convicted of felonies are likely to be of a minority race or poor, it is likely felon disenfranchisement laws take away votes from the Democratic party and Independent votes. People of color make up roughly 60 percent of the prison population in the U.S. and make up larger proportions of the Democratic party than they do Republican or Independent (Kerby, 2012). Nearly 90% of the Republican party is white, 70% of Independent parties are

This year, there is more than 80,000 people that will be released from prison, they will be returning to their lives with their families, and in their communities. These ex-convicts who are released are going to still be able to buy a house, buy a car, get married, have children, and even get a job. Is allowing them to vote going to cause a danger to society? The eighth amendment states that an excessive sanction on the person is prohibited. Also, there is a set limit on the amount of time they must stay outside of prison before they are able to vote again. Lastly, being an active, participating member of the community helps with rehabilitation. Ex-convicts should be allowed to vote. They are still humans and still citizens who deserve

Should ex-felons be able to vote once they complete their sentence in prison? About 5 million people with a felony conviction can’t cast a vote in elections. In different states, there are different laws which mean some states go about felon voting differently. There are 9 states who permanently banned you from voting. People who are against ex -felons rights being restored argue no, because they feel that felons couldn’t make logic decisions before they got in prison so why would they be able to make logic decisions once they’re out. People who are for felons to be able to vote argue yes, because regardless of what they have done in their past, they’ve already paid for their crime and it is unfair. (Feaser). By law American citizens have the right to vote. Felons who have paid their debt to society by completing their sentences should have all their rights and privileges restored. By letting felons vote it will make the voting more diverse, and equal. Also allowing felons to vote will help with their transition back into society.

Although some states believe that voting is a privilege that can be taken away after intolerable behavior, ex-criminals should be given voting rights because they are heavily impacted by government decisions, the vote is consequently taken away from low income, minority factions, and the US has a historical record of disenfranchising people regarding their race, color, previous servitude, and sex, so we have reason to question the disenfranchisement of other minorities.

People are incarcerated for different crimes some a lot more severe than others. For example, a single parent was sentenced to 3 months for the theft of a pair of jeans worth £10 (BBC News, 2011). However, while these are viable points and questions, the government allowing certain individuals in prisons to vote could be a complicated decision. Felons’ circumstances are not simply black and white; there can be a grey area with individual cases. Appropriate retribution is said to only occur when an appropriate punishment is given for the crime (Hegel, 1965). This makes it difficult to judge who has committed a serious enough offence to enable them to be stripped of their right to vote. Streeter said, the UK decided hundreds of years ago that prisoners should not have the right to vote’ (Streeter, 2011). This is a settled view in this country which has been accepted since 1870 (Hollobone, 2011). ‘Do we want convicted murderers, rapists and paedophiles to be given the vote?’ (BBC News, 2010). In terms of making the right decision and having it morally and politically justifiable, felons should not be allowed to vote and it is nonsensical to think they should.

Should all prisoners be given the right to vote or should it be limited only to some or to none at all? Provide a reasoned argument for your decision.