2007-05-12 18:25:33 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
There's a good reason felons are stripped of their voting rights: it's a way of giving you a choice. Commit certain types of crimes, and you will lose your rights to participate in the process of citizenship.
Stay away from certain crimes, and you will enjoy the right to vote and influence the direction America takes.
Basically, if you're so antisocial that you would violate the rights of honest citizens by commiting certain crimes, then you should not be allowed to influence America's direction.
2007-05-12 18:31:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the felony committed. A person who commits armed robbery could serve a sentence and be released, but we should revoke that persons right to own a handgun. If a person were guilty of vehicular manslaughter we would take away their driver's license. Just because a person pays their debt to society does not mean we should re-institute (or for that matter revoke) all their rights. Each situation is different. Of course while you are in prison all rights as a citizen should be revoked. Maybe they could work something out where you have to earn back certain rights over time by completing certain benchmarks to be determined and judged by a parole board.
2007-05-12 18:39:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, for a few reasons.
1. It aids in the reintegration of people deemed as rightful citizens once again.
2. The justice system is very far from perfect, and thusly a wrongful conviction would take away one's voting rights forever, and that is inexcusably unjust.
3. It robs one of the biggest groups affected by state action or inaction of a crucial means of changing policies that directly affected them.
2007-05-13 23:13:43 · answer #3 · answered by prezalex87 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
of course...getting out implies that they have served their debt and are free....but, it is a fact that most convicted felons(depending on the state) can not have that right restored until probation is done and they have to file a letter to the governor that they are requesting their right to vote back and the governor has to approve it....whenever she /he have the time....they do not even have to grant the request....i found this out by trying to register people to vote in the state of kentucky...not word of mouth....actual documentation....most former felons could not afford the filing fee, with the risk of it getting rejected....on the other hand, i moved to oregon and have registered voters here, and felons receive the right to vote upon release....so, every state is different
2007-05-12 19:39:15 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
in all probability, watching the guidelines of the state and section they're in. in assessment to vote casting rights, which all electorate are meant to have an equivalent desirable to, gun regulations fluctuate wildly between diverse locales. i think a pair issues: -If a felon is meant to reintegrate they could a minimum of be held to the nicely-known of the region they stay in, yet they could additionally take transport of comparable rights as nicely. -If a felon has dedicated a violent offense of any form, to furnish them attack weapons or enable them to hide their weapons could be an pointless danger that doesn't help of their reintegration into society at super.
2016-10-15 12:48:07 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To have rights in a society you must prove you accept the responsibilities of being part of that society. Convicted felons have proved they consider themselves above or outside of society therefore they should never ever have the rights again.
2007-05-13 06:21:47 · answer #6 · answered by Coasty 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yes, everyone who can walk and spell their name should be able to vote once they're over the age of 17.
Being a felon or ex-felon has nothing to do with democracy - hey, many of those we elect to office are felons who've just not been caught, yet.
2007-05-13 03:59:12 · answer #7 · answered by Ben 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yes...perhaps restoring their right to vote will give them a sense of civic virtue that could change their attitudes and behaviors towards society.
Also, you can't really punish a person after they've served their sentence in its entirety, so it should probably extend to voting rights too.
2007-05-12 18:28:57 · answer #8 · answered by kncvb21345 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
yes, their debt to society is paid with jail time and there is no reason why they should be counted as constituents when redrawing voting districts and then not allowed to vote.
American citizens should have the right to vote!
2007-05-13 18:58:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
absolutely...if they are released the we must assume that their debt is paid...so the right to vote should be restored...however this logic makes me a bit of a hypocrite, as i dont so much want chester to be able to open a child care, or a sniper to be able to say have a gun collection while living in a bell tower...but the right and need to vote is so very important....
2007-05-13 05:39:52 · answer #10 · answered by kay 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋