Should Felons Be Allowed To Vote Essay
As a college student who doesn’t have a felony on their record and is not familiar with the climax of the justices’ system and voting laws I have taken it upon myself to do the research on the topic. In doing so I have come to the conclusion that felons should be allowed to vote and their vote could and would have made major differences in past elections. Estimated about 5.85 million people in the United States could not vote due to a felony conviction an increase from the 2004 total of 5.26 million and the highest number since at least 1960.12 most extreme states restrict voting rights even after a person has served his or her prison sentence and is no longer on probation or parole; such individuals in those states make up approximately 45 percent of the entire disenfranchised population. How can we claim, a great nation, that we’re all together, when we single out
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millions restricting them from constitutional rights? A felon is an individual convicted of an offense that typically carries a maximum penalty of at least one year in jail. Voter disenfranchisement for felons has been around since the ancient Greek and Roman times. The English colonists brought the idea to America. Crimes against individuals and society resulted in "civil death," according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This included loss of property and prohibition from entering into contracts (Shaw, News Max).” Felon disenfranchisement refers to the restriction of voting rights for convicted felons. Felon disenfranchisement is a part of a larger category of complementary domestic consequences that affect the status of ex-cons, including resident restrictions, gun control bans, and economic benefit preclusions, lost job opportunities and many more severe repercussions. Felons are still a part of society, and do engage in the democratic process. If the laws are changed affecting the court system, this very well could impact their lives as well.
Having the right to vote is essential in a democratic government, however there are masses in this country disenfranchised from this essential duty. America is named postindustrial democracies in that most states have established restrictions on voting rights for non-incarcerated felons, which make up three-quarters of the disenfranchised felon population. In the constitution the Fourteenth Amendment grants to the states the authority to deny voting rights to anyone that has a criminal conviction.Felon disenfranchisement laws, combined with high rates of criminal punishment in the United States, sometimes play a role in elections. If current and former felons had been allowed to vote, the outcome of as many U.S. Senate races and presidential elections might have been altered. Researchers estimate that the disenfranchised felon population is composed of approximately 35 percent ex-felons, 28 percent probationers, 9 percent parolees, and 27 percent prison inmates. How is this morally right?
Four million of the 5.85 million disenfranchised are currently out of prison, some on probation and parole. Since 1978, there have been more than 400 Senate elections, and the outcomes of seven of those might have been different if the vote had been given to felons and ex-felons. While the percentage change is small, the difference might have had a significant long-term effect, given the well-known advantage of incumbency. Laws prohibiting felons and ex-felons have a major impact on elections Felon disenfranchisement varies widely between states. Although almost all 48 out of 50 American states have felon disenfranchisement laws, these policies have become increasingly controversial in terms of their impact on elections. As stated before 48 states disenfranchise felons. The incarcerated are primarily the working-class poor and African Americans who traditionally vote Democratic.
There is no reason that nearly six million people are being denied the right to vote. The racial impact of felon disenfranchisement is a tremendous one. “2.2 million African Americans, or 7.7% of black adults, are disenfranchised, compared to 1.8% of the non-African American population.” This creates a huge gap in the voting because there is no telling the difference that these votes could make. These votes, as I stated before would traditionally be from Democrats. When I think about this I cannot help but notice that this seems like African Americans are not getting an equal chance or in other words Democrats are not getting the fair chance like Republican do. In my opinion, this is taking away from the people in office as well who could be receiving even more support.
This is a big racial divide that is being made when it comes to voting privileges. According to the Sentencing Project, again, this means that more than 2 million African Americans are not able to vote because of felony convictions. Many disagree with African Americans or any convicted felon, for that matter, should have this privilege taken away. It is not right to have such a privilege taken away for life for something that happened in the past. If these people could actually have the right to vote, supporters believe that there would be some difference. Indefinitely not saying a big difference because it would probably not be huge but in the long run it would have grown and developed in a sense that these votes would have made in impact. Ex-felons could have a better way of being reintroduced to society if only they were allowed to vote. It could help them to feel as if their vote counts and can produce change within the society. Shaw state that; “They learn value of the law to strengthen their participation in common practices.” If they were able to do this I believe that they would learn more of a lesson from whatever it is that they may have been convicted of. It would give them a chance to see that the law really does matter and there are reasons that we should obey them. This would give them a better sense of respect for the law and possibly make them want to vote for the good of society.
Ex-felons deserve a second chance and I believe that each one should be given the opportunity of that chance to show that they can make a difference just like anyone else. They have done what is necessary to pay their debt to society and have to readjust to a new life once they leave prison. Therefore, their vote should be counted just as any other regular civilian’s vote is. There is a process that they have to go through when it comes to restoring their rights and voting privileges should definitely be a part of it. It plays a major role and each ex-felon should have this opportunity because of everything else that they already have to go through.
Shaw provides a good point when he states: “Going through rehabilitation and reintegration, ex-felons become part of a law-abiding society with the same privileges as others in the society, proponents for voting rights argue.” Going through so much to get back into society they should get the full perks a “normal” person has. If they go through these things to become a part of society again, then why are they not allowed the right to vote? This must be an upsetting process for those felons that want to become a part of society again and actually care to make a difference. All that they want to do is to be granted one of the basic fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens. I mean that’s the least they should get after going through the process that they do. It is only fair for them to obtain the right to vote again because at the end of the day they did what was required of them to become a part of society again and what is the use of that if they cannot even vote?
Felony disenfranchisement is not something that should be in place after that felon has served the sentencing that they faced. According to Speckhdardt, “Felony disenfranchisement removes human dignity by relegating people to second-class citizen status and making them subject to a state that has no electoral accountability to those that have been convicted of felonies.” I agree with this statement because that is exactly what felony disenfranchisement does. It takes away the dignity of those ex-felons who are citizens and should have an equal right to vote. They should not be made to feel any less just because they committed a crime. It is not accurate to say that an ex-felon is not capable of being productive in society because they actually can be. Some of these ex-felons actually have learned a lesson after serving their time and everyone makes mistakes so it is not fair for them to have a privilege revoked for the rest of their life. They are still able to contribute to society in other ways such as working, community service, etc. so they should be still be able to contribute to society by voting as well.
I just feel as if, once people serve their time they should still be treated equally. It is only right that they be given a chance to participate productively in all aspects of a normal life. They should have the right to be politically involved. Felons are still the same as every other human being, their human right to vote and contribute to society is not any different from our own right to do so. Overall, disenfranchisement hurts these felons’ chances of being successful on their path of restatement into a normal everyday life.
Opposing sides, of course, have different feelings towards felons voting. According to Roger Clegg, “If you aren’t willing to follow the law yourself, then you can’t demand a role in making the law for everyone else, which is what you do when you vote.” Although, to a certain extent this statement is understandable, I disagree. Even though someone may have disobeyed the law, there are different circumstances for everyone’s situation. It may have been something they did when they were young and now regret or it could have been a bad situation in which it was not truly that persons fault. There are many other scenarios that I won’t go on listing. I say that to say there are so many different cases out there so taking away the right to vote is a bit harsh. Everyone’s case is not known therefore they should all still maintain the equal opportunity to vote.
Another point that I understand is that felons can be restored the right to vote, but carefully on a case-by-case basis after a person has shown that he or she has turned over a new leaf, not automatically on the day someone walks out of prison.
This is more reasonable that a felon does have the opportunity to restore their voting rights but the process is difficult. There is a whole process with laws surrounding disenfranchisement and it is difficult to determine whose rights can be restored. The process is so lengthy and daunting that ex-felons would probably give up even trying. If you are going to give someone the privilege of restoring their right, then why must it be made so difficult? If they are trying to do better and contribute, then I do not believe that it should be so hard for them to so. The system claims that they want felons to be on a road to redemption once they get out but then they go back and make it such a difficult process to do so. It just does not make sense and I believe that there should be a simpler way for them to get their voting rights back when they are pushing to do
it.
My research has made me realize how hard these ex-felons have it and how it is hard to get people in today’s society to believe that everyone deserves a second chance. There is no reason that 48 out of 50 states should have disenfranchisement of felons. I believe that ex-felons should have the privilege of voting just as any other citizen does.
millions restricting them from constitutional rights? A felon is an individual convicted of an offense that typically carries a maximum penalty of at least one year in jail. Voter disenfranchisement for felons has been around since the ancient Greek and Roman times. The English colonists brought the idea to America. Crimes against individuals and society resulted in "civil death," according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This included loss of property and prohibition from entering into contracts (Shaw, News Max).” Felon disenfranchisement refers to the restriction of voting rights for convicted felons. Felon disenfranchisement is a part of a larger category of complementary domestic consequences that affect the status of ex-cons, including resident restrictions, gun control bans, and economic benefit preclusions, lost job opportunities and many more severe repercussions. Felons are still a part of society, and do engage in the democratic process. If the laws are changed affecting the court system, this very well could impact their lives as well.
Having the right to vote is essential in a democratic government, however there are masses in this country disenfranchised from this essential duty. America is named postindustrial democracies in that most states have established restrictions on voting rights for non-incarcerated felons, which make up three-quarters of the disenfranchised felon population. In the constitution the Fourteenth Amendment grants to the states the authority to deny voting rights to anyone that has a criminal conviction.Felon disenfranchisement laws, combined with high rates of criminal punishment in the United States, sometimes play a role in elections. If current and former felons had been allowed to vote, the outcome of as many U.S. Senate races and presidential elections might have been altered. Researchers estimate that the disenfranchised felon population is composed of approximately 35 percent ex-felons, 28 percent probationers, 9 percent parolees, and 27 percent prison inmates. How is this morally right?
Four million of the 5.85 million disenfranchised are currently out of prison, some on probation and parole. Since 1978, there have been more than 400 Senate elections, and the outcomes of seven of those might have been different if the vote had been given to felons and ex-felons. While the percentage change is small, the difference might have had a significant long-term effect, given the well-known advantage of incumbency. Laws prohibiting felons and ex-felons have a major impact on elections Felon disenfranchisement varies widely between states. Although almost all 48 out of 50 American states have felon disenfranchisement laws, these policies have become increasingly controversial in terms of their impact on elections. As stated before 48 states disenfranchise felons. The incarcerated are primarily the working-class poor and African Americans who traditionally vote Democratic.
There is no reason that nearly six million people are being denied the right to vote. The racial impact of felon disenfranchisement is a tremendous one. “2.2 million African Americans, or 7.7% of black adults, are disenfranchised, compared to 1.8% of the non-African American population.” This creates a huge gap in the voting because there is no telling the difference that these votes could make. These votes, as I stated before would traditionally be from Democrats. When I think about this I cannot help but notice that this seems like African Americans are not getting an equal chance or in other words Democrats are not getting the fair chance like Republican do. In my opinion, this is taking away from the people in office as well who could be receiving even more support.
This is a big racial divide that is being made when it comes to voting privileges. According to the Sentencing Project, again, this means that more than 2 million African Americans are not able to vote because of felony convictions. Many disagree with African Americans or any convicted felon, for that matter, should have this privilege taken away. It is not right to have such a privilege taken away for life for something that happened in the past. If these people could actually have the right to vote, supporters believe that there would be some difference. Indefinitely not saying a big difference because it would probably not be huge but in the long run it would have grown and developed in a sense that these votes would have made in impact. Ex-felons could have a better way of being reintroduced to society if only they were allowed to vote. It could help them to feel as if their vote counts and can produce change within the society. Shaw state that; “They learn value of the law to strengthen their participation in common practices.” If they were able to do this I believe that they would learn more of a lesson from whatever it is that they may have been convicted of. It would give them a chance to see that the law really does matter and there are reasons that we should obey them. This would give them a better sense of respect for the law and possibly make them want to vote for the good of society.
Ex-felons deserve a second chance and I believe that each one should be given the opportunity of that chance to show that they can make a difference just like anyone else. They have done what is necessary to pay their debt to society and have to readjust to a new life once they leave prison. Therefore, their vote should be counted just as any other regular civilian’s vote is. There is a process that they have to go through when it comes to restoring their rights and voting privileges should definitely be a part of it. It plays a major role and each ex-felon should have this opportunity because of everything else that they already have to go through.
Shaw provides a good point when he states: “Going through rehabilitation and reintegration, ex-felons become part of a law-abiding society with the same privileges as others in the society, proponents for voting rights argue.” Going through so much to get back into society they should get the full perks a “normal” person has. If they go through these things to become a part of society again, then why are they not allowed the right to vote? This must be an upsetting process for those felons that want to become a part of society again and actually care to make a difference. All that they want to do is to be granted one of the basic fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens. I mean that’s the least they should get after going through the process that they do. It is only fair for them to obtain the right to vote again because at the end of the day they did what was required of them to become a part of society again and what is the use of that if they cannot even vote?
Felony disenfranchisement is not something that should be in place after that felon has served the sentencing that they faced. According to Speckhdardt, “Felony disenfranchisement removes human dignity by relegating people to second-class citizen status and making them subject to a state that has no electoral accountability to those that have been convicted of felonies.” I agree with this statement because that is exactly what felony disenfranchisement does. It takes away the dignity of those ex-felons who are citizens and should have an equal right to vote. They should not be made to feel any less just because they committed a crime. It is not accurate to say that an ex-felon is not capable of being productive in society because they actually can be. Some of these ex-felons actually have learned a lesson after serving their time and everyone makes mistakes so it is not fair for them to have a privilege revoked for the rest of their life. They are still able to contribute to society in other ways such as working, community service, etc. so they should be still be able to contribute to society by voting as well.
I just feel as if, once people serve their time they should still be treated equally. It is only right that they be given a chance to participate productively in all aspects of a normal life. They should have the right to be politically involved. Felons are still the same as every other human being, their human right to vote and contribute to society is not any different from our own right to do so. Overall, disenfranchisement hurts these felons’ chances of being successful on their path of restatement into a normal everyday life.
Opposing sides, of course, have different feelings towards felons voting. According to Roger Clegg, “If you aren’t willing to follow the law yourself, then you can’t demand a role in making the law for everyone else, which is what you do when you vote.” Although, to a certain extent this statement is understandable, I disagree. Even though someone may have disobeyed the law, there are different circumstances for everyone’s situation. It may have been something they did when they were young and now regret or it could have been a bad situation in which it was not truly that persons fault. There are many other scenarios that I won’t go on listing. I say that to say there are so many different cases out there so taking away the right to vote is a bit harsh. Everyone’s case is not known therefore they should all still maintain the equal opportunity to vote.
Another point that I understand is that felons can be restored the right to vote, but carefully on a case-by-case basis after a person has shown that he or she has turned over a new leaf, not automatically on the day someone walks out of prison.
This is more reasonable that a felon does have the opportunity to restore their voting rights but the process is difficult. There is a whole process with laws surrounding disenfranchisement and it is difficult to determine whose rights can be restored. The process is so lengthy and daunting that ex-felons would probably give up even trying. If you are going to give someone the privilege of restoring their right, then why must it be made so difficult? If they are trying to do better and contribute, then I do not believe that it should be so hard for them to so. The system claims that they want felons to be on a road to redemption once they get out but then they go back and make it such a difficult process to do so. It just does not make sense and I believe that there should be a simpler way for them to get their voting rights back when they are pushing to do
it.
My research has made me realize how hard these ex-felons have it and how it is hard to get people in today’s society to believe that everyone deserves a second chance. There is no reason that 48 out of 50 states should have disenfranchisement of felons. I believe that ex-felons should have the privilege of voting just as any other citizen does.