Why can't former felons vote? Once they pay their debt to society, why are they still disenfranchaised?

Answer 1

It comes from an interpretation of an obscure clause in section 2 of the 14th Amendment.

The clause was intended to punish Confederate states re-entering the union if they didn't allow everyone to vote regardless of race. However, the clause allowed an exception that said they wouldn't be punished for not allowing people to vote if they had been convicted of a serious crime.

This combined with the desire of several states to make loss of voting rights part of the punishment imposed for felonies. When the states came before the Supreme Court, they argued that if states wouldn't be punished for not allowing felons to vote, that meant that the Constitution implicitly allowed the states to disenfranchise felons from voting. The argument carried.

Today 48 states disenfranchise felons to one degree or another. Some only for as long as they are on probation or parole, some for a fixed period after their sentence. Some require jumping through paperwork hoops to get the rights back. And some cause a permanent loss. But given the implied Constitutional grant of authority to disenfranchise felons, it ends up being left for each state to decide.

Answer 2

First, once a convicted felon, always a felon. They are convicted of a serious crime. They should not be allowed to vote because they should not have the right to influence their current punishment (on the sex offender list, for example). In what is left of a civilized America, we cannot make it easier for crimes to be committed.

If child rapists could vote, they would vote for people who would lower punishments. If drug dealers could vote, they would vote for people that would lower standards.

After all, Democrats in this country have enacted laws that allow felons to vote. I guess they need more voters since they are not winning elections.

Answer 3

Serving prison time isn't the full payment of the debt. You still have a record, and some states don't allow you to vote. A felony conviction is a gift that keeps on giving - your whole life long.

Answer 4

because, the law is a contract with society, and they broke their contract with society. as a society, we follow the law, and for that, we get to vote.

Answer 5

They never really pay their debt

Answer 6

yea that makes sense lets tell the criminals this.......as soon as you get out we'll give you everything back and act as if nothing happened.......right..i dont think so

Answer 7

hi its not my place to judge you or anyone here, but thats the law. thats all i know.

Answer 8

it's the law