Do you think it's ok to let convicted felons vote in elections?

Question

EXCLUDING murderers, sex offenders, and violent criminals.

Answer 1

Some of these responses to your question are SO stupid that their Yahoo address/accounts should be removed all together.

In 1966, a man named Frank DeSalvo of Houston, TX was driving home one night from a party. He had NOT been drinking. A 10 year old kid playing football ran between two parked cars and found himself directly in front of Frank's car. The child was killed instantly. Although the District Attorney himself felt great sympathy for Frank, he was charged with the smallest crime possible.....Vehicular Manslaughter - a Felony with a 5 year punishment in prison.

Frank DeSalvo did NOTHING wrong. He simply couldn't stop in time. Now, he is a convicted felon for the rest of his life. Since his prison time, he has moved ahead and built a life since leaving prison in 1972. He never touched drugs, never drank, and always loved his wife and children with great respect.

Should Frank be denied voting for our Nation's President due to the negligent actions of a 10 year old child in 1966?

Felons....once their time is served (probation and parole included) should be allowed to vote. Obviously, most states agree with me. Texas (one of the harshest states on crime) allows all felons to vote once their supervision is completed.

And by the way....everyone else....if you don't know what you are talking about, don't answer these questions. You look like morons to those who understand the topic a little better.

Answer 2

Yes, I think we must look at crime. Some felons are dangerous criminals & have given up their right to vote. However, as states get on the bandwagon to control crimes the term felon has included crimes that do not deserve a permanent punishment. Felons include drug users, trespassing, repeat DUI, custody offences, lewd behavior, forgery, & etc. Telling someone that smoked pot or flashed someone or made a one time mistake does not seem Christian, American or right. They serve their time & have to give up a right they were born with forever. I have worked with released female inmates to help them settle back into their lives. Most are one time offenders that felt driven to crime because of drugs, untreated mental illness, or extreme finanical situation. I have heard all the arguements that "I" would not have done it, but how desperate have we ever been?

Answer 3

I feel if they did their time, they paid for their crime. I'm sure my little saying is incorrect, but that's how I feel. I think they should get full rights back. Remember, even with those that get off easy, WE, US VOTERS, are the ones that allow child molesters and killers out of prison, because we vote down so many things to upgrade the prison and rehab programs. So there is no money to start a certain program for say an ex-convicted person can get help, to better him or herself. When they are released early because of lack of space for new prisoners, 50 percent have no where to go, no where to work, no friends on the outside, no relatives that want them around, so they do what they have to do. We have a lot of work to do to improve our society, and I don't think picking on ex-cons is where to start. Ron Couch

Answer 4

Yes. After a prison sentence, people become full citizens of the United States again. They have paid their debt to society. Some of them are innocent. If we allow them back to our neighborhoods and workplaces, and we can tax and draft them, why can't they have representatives in their own government? People say they beleive in our criminal justice system, then don't trust it after criminals are free. People preach the forgiveness of Jesus, then don't back it up with action. Let them vote. Besides, more than half of the Americans who can vote don't even try. If these people who have served their time want to vote, then they deserve to have that right.

Answer 5

Yeah, i do. My boyfriend is a convicted felon, currently doing time & i know he's sincerly sorry for what he did, & although he can't take it back, he can try and move on, put the past behind him & make amends. He's repaying his debt to society & when he gets out he'll be back on level terms. So, Yes, i believe anyone should be able to vote =]

Answer 6

That's a great question. I think there is room for debate on that. I definitely do not think convicts should be allowed to vote. After they have paid their debt to society and are trying to get back on their feet, then I don't know. It seems reasonable for them to be part of society again.

I suppose there are always exceptions though.

Answer 7

I don't think they should be allowed to vote while their time is still being served. But once their sentence has been served they should no longer be denied the right to vote. If they can't have a voice in society through voting then they have less reason to abide by its rules.

Answer 8

Yes, If they served their time, and they want a say in the gov, that sounds better then giving the right to Illegal aliens.
If you think they aren't rehabilitated, then change the correction system. Why the hell would you let such threats out in the world if you weren't confident in the correction?

Answer 9

They probably never voted before anyway, uneducated people don't vote......who cares?
If convicted felons can run for office...i'm sure it's ok for a felon to VOTE!!!

Answer 10

It's a state issue and should remain a state issue.

Generally speaking, if they have served their time then they should be allowed to vote (not while in prison, mind you). We ask them to fend for themselves upon release, so they should have the same rights once they've paid the price for their crimes.