Should ex-felon's have the right to vote?

[Grogo]

I say they should. They have paid their price to society, no matter how much they have changed, their voices will never be heard in the public arena. Depriving ex-felons of the right to vote alienates certain minorities, who have the deck stacked against them to begin with in the justice system.

Depriving ex-felons of the right to vote gives an unfair advantage to the Republican party. This is because the poor and African Americans tend to vote Democratic.

Disenfranchisement of ex-felons amounts to extra punishment, other Democratic countries do not do this.

Thoughts?

[Spectral]

I think this depends on what you think the goal of an electoral system should be. People don't seem to agree on that starting point.

Depriving ex-felons of the right to vote gives an unfair advantage to the Republican party. This is because the poor and African Americans tend to vote Democratic.

What makes you say this is unfair?

Disenfranchisement of ex-felons amounts to extra punishment...

I don't think it's extra - it's just the fries and Coke that come with the value meal of being a felon.

[TrumpIsPresident]

Those are a blight upon society should have no voice in deciding how society is run.

No voting for felons, ever.

Trying to make it a race issue is extra fucking stupid as well.

Its funny how certain people don't want to talk about the connection between race and crime unless there's a way to spin it as "those wascally wepublicans are being wacist".

[unfilteredJW]

Remember, in the US, we aren't interested in rehabilitation.

Commit a crime? Branded inhuman and an animal.

It let's those usual mediocre sad sacks thumb their nose at someone.

[Xeones]

Honestly, not sure why ex-felons aren't allowed to vote. But I never cared enough to look up why it was first implemented.

[Masark]

Yes.

And up here, even those that are currently in prison cannot be denied the right to vote.

[Kallisto]

Honestly, not sure why ex-felons aren't allowed to vote. But I never cared enough to look up why it was first implemented.

Gotta be tough on that crime. Smoked a joint? Take 5 years and lose all rights.

But seriously the whole point of the prison system is that once you're out you're supposed to be like any other member of society, you did your error, you did your time, now you're meant to be like everyone else. Not having the right to vote is essentially a double punishment.

[GreenJesus]

Problem with felons is that all pretty much all businesses require a background check/criminal history for hiring purposes. With a large labor market and small job offerings why take a felon who has a history of theft/violence/trouble following rules when you can take someone without any history of those things? It is an employer's market. So felons are stuck having to steal in order to live since they can't get jobs.

Since even felons were born as citizens they should at least have the right to vote since they lost the right to buy a home, file for credit, get a job, etc.

Edit: As long as the crime was non-violent.

[Zomis]

Class D who have served their time, sure I don't have a problem with that. I think anyone else with a class C or above, no.

[callipygoustp]

I think they should be able to vote.

[-aiko-]

To be clear, we're discussing ex-felons, no? Most states, as far as I am aware, allow ex-felons to vote after their terms + probation/parole. I think this is fair. I do not, however, agree with any state that permanently revokes the right to vote from felons.

[Tyrianth]

Yes, of course. They're still citizens, they still pay taxes, and they did their time. They should have full rights reinstated upon departure of prison.

[Noxx79]

Those are a blight upon society should have no voice in deciding how society is run.

No voting for felons, ever.

Trying to make it a race issue is extra fucking stupid as well.

Its funny how certain people don't want to talk about the connection between race and crime unless there's a way to spin it as "those wascally wepublicans are being wacist".

Why should you have a punishment that exceeds your time served? Isn't prison and the fine supposed to be the punishment? You're saying everyone who goes to jail should be considered sub-citizens for the rest of their lives?

[Spectral]

Smoked a joint? Take 5 years and lose all rights.

Is this what you think happens?

[Lord Havik]

No. People who break the law shouldn't have the right to influence the election of our leaders and lawmakers.

They have already proven themselves unfit for that duty.

[The Casualty]

I think that people should regain the right to vote. If simply because once they are out and not on parole, they have restored rights to just about every facet of society. They can purchase land, hold a job, and hold general interest within society. They should have the right to determine how they are governed, what their taxes should be used on, etc... once again.

Some states like Maine and Vermont allow currently incarcerated people to vote, which I disagree with however. While they are in prison, they have no vested (or very severely limited) interest in the outside world.

[Tyrianth]

Why should you have a punishment that exceeds your time served? Isn't prison and the fine supposed to be the punishment? You're saying everyone who goes to jail should be considered sub-citizens for the rest of their lives?

And people wonder why it's so difficult for felons to successfully re-integrate into society... Hard to integrate when you're considered a second class citizen.

[Bathory]

Remember, in the US, we aren't interested in rehabilitation.

Commit a crime? Branded inhuman and an animal.

It let's those usual mediocre sad sacks thumb their nose at someone.

Pretty much. So ridiculously stupid.

[kritisk]

Yes. Once they have served their time and duty, they should be allowed the rights of all other citizens. That would be the very definition of taxation without representation. If we don't want them to vote, we need to exclude them from paying taxes and having other civic obligations.

[Xeones]

Is this what you think happens?

Yes, 3 strike laws mean you can get life in prison for drug possession. That includes weed.