So how many of you think that ex-felons should have the right to vote?
Why?
Why not?
[question posted by myklj999]responses and comments:
Yes, they should. We are all equal in unity.. We all have the right to vote and voice our opinions.. Maybe this person has changed and they may can make a difference in their freedom of speech.. I would say, give them this chance.. They may have something worthwhile to say.. [cream97]
I think ex felons should have the right to vote because they are X felons. Key thing being X. [OceanTiara]
Yes, that is correct.. X-Ex... The old felon.. [cream97]
The idea of prison is that people are supposedly paying their debt to society. If they're released, then the debt is paid. If they can't vote, then they're still paying it. A bit of a contradiction there. [unusualsuspect]
Ex Felons do have the right to vote, once they are released from prison and have served all sentencing specific to the felony charge. If a convicted felon has completed all of sentencing then he/she should be able to re-register. This is not something that is advertised and persons that are interested should check with their Secretary of State or which ever board governs voting in your state. [relundad]
I tell every person I know (and I was a criminal for many years unfortunately, so that's quite a few) and many of them still don't believe me. It just amazes me how many of them really don't know, and the government normally doesn't bother to tell them. [myklj999]
I suppose you think you people should have the right to own guns too huh.....well legally anyway lol. Hell I agree with you, should have the right to vote, if you have done your time and not done anything else then you should get your rights back. [darkjedi]
Because the declaration of indendence basically says that we have unalienable rights, and among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So after someone is released from prison, they should regain their rights, and be allowed to vote. Liberty should give them the right to vote. This is my opinion [sudalunts]
We can permanently take away their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Why can't we permanently take away their right to vote? [Taskr36]
Everyone has the right to vote regardless of who they are, what they do or have or haven't done. As far as i'm concerned if you live in the country/state/town where the person governing and laws governed will affect you like skateboarding in public, you have the right to have an input into who gets into power and takes on that role. Even more so if you are paying them for the privilege if you choose not to vote then that is up to you but you should still have the choice. [mands61123]
I believe ex-felons in the US should have the right to vote. After all, they have paid their debt by serving their sentences. They are citizens of the US. I'm not sure about them being able to vote while they are in prison though. [bluerubymoon53]
I heard it mentioned today on TV that a person who is currently in prison serving a sentence cannot vote. [whiteheather39]
Yes, I do think that ex-felons should be able to vote. Ex-felons have served their time and they should be allowed to vote just like everyone else. Obviously that is not the case after seeing your responses. It should be changed in the 11 states that do not allow it. [lilybug]
Yes they should be able to vote, they are X felons voting for criminals...tee hee [heatherfeather80]
If they have been convicted and paid the price of their crime(s) then as far as I am concerned they have paid their debt to society then I think they should be allowed to vote. [whiteheather39]
Hi myklj999, Well in my opinion, he/she had served their sentence and they are free so why not? they are entitled to vote because they are free man. Yes they should be able to vote. Tamara [tamarafireheart]
Sure they payed there time and there dues. I don't see why not. What is voting gonna hurt. I know, the Republicans are worried all the ex-felons will vote Democrat, and there for sure to loose then. Politics really sucks. [walkthetalk]
Simple answer: NO. More detailed answer: No for almost all of them. I don't buy that "they paid their debt to society" crap. Murderers and rapists can NEVER pay their debt to society. They've done permanent damage that can NEVER be undone. I thank god that I live in a state that doesn't allow those scumbags to vote. I might be a little more lax with the nonviolent types, but never for violent or sex crimes. [Taskr36]
Michael..like i said in another discussion just because they are felons(x) doesn't mean they are without brains and voting has nothing to do with what they did..if that was the case most Politicions, Lawyers, Judges and anyone else in a Gov. Job screw up... [Rosekitty]
mykl, I believe that ex-felons should be able to vote! Did the crime, did the time now go vote! What the hell difference does it make, we're all voting for damn criminals anyway! [Opal26]
If they have been let out of prison and are living as a free citizen then, yes, they should have all their rights restored, including the right to vote happy [fwidman]
Are you saying that they don't? I could understand them not being allowed to vote while in prison but surely once they have done their sentence then they should have the right to vote again. In Australia the rules are that if the sentence is 3 years or less they can enroll to vote using their last address as long as they are 18 or older and citizens. Prisoners serving sentences longer than 3 years are not allowed to vote. That is for federal elections, each state is has its own rules. However, once they leave the system they have rights again like anyone else. Normally you have to have lived a month at your current address but we also have special enrollment forms for homeless people to enable them to vote as well. We do not allow people who are classified as having an unsound mind to vote, anyone under the age of 18, people who are not citizens and people who have been convicted of treason and not pardoned. Anyone else has the right and in Australia voting is compulsory. We believe that people must express their democratic right to vote. You can choose to vote informal but if you are enrolled to vote and do not you are breaking the law. I have no idea about the rules in America but if ex-felons are not allowed to vote then it sounds as though your country takes away your rights as a citizen once convicted of a crime. I find that totally wrong. [sharra1]
Yep cause they are X felons..dont take a genius to work that one out..tho many people reckon that you should not be allowed. [LoudnProud]
Going through my email alerts i can see a theme to your discussions here mykl! I think that yes they should have the right to vote, particularly once they have been released from prison, as after that they are amember of society and should have the right to have their say just like everyone else!! xxx [Munchkin547]
They paid their debt.. Let them vote. [flowerchilde]
Yeah, duh. I think my cats should be able to vote too. [wooitsmolly]
I'll vote for your cat!happy Wait, that's not what you meant, was it?confused Oops...doh [myklj999]
I am in favour that they should have a right to vote. They should not carry the guilt for all their life time, if they have already paid their price. [ronaldinu]
Hmm... I didn't even realize that ex-felons couldn't vote. Shoulda known that, I guess. Does that mean Martha Stewart can't vote? I think if an ex-felon has served his/her time then yes, they should get their voting rights back. [awonderfullife]
Well, I don't know really. I would say that it might depend on each one but that would be very difficult, tying up the judicial system with "shall we let this one vote when he/she comes out and wanting gourmet food?". I think that here in the UK, ex-cons can vote. The only people who can't vote here are the under 18s, people actually in prison and people who are severely mentally handicapped. Well, I think that's right. Well, anyway, if you are an EX felon, I think the EX is the point really. You shouldn't still be treated like a criminal automatically after you have served your time. You should have the same rights as everyone else. Perhaps in some cases where people have committed so many crimes or certain severe crimes then that might be different although I can't see as it would make a lot of difference to the elections. [pumpkinjam]
i have not read any other responses purposely as to not be influenced by anyone else... yes you should be able to vote in my opinion. everyone has the right to say how their country is ran. rich, poor, black, white, male, female...etc...etc...we all have opinions and we have freedom of speech in the US. if a prejudiced person has the right to vote against a candidate of a different race, why can't an ex-felon vote? the point is you are an EX-felon which means you are a part of society and everyone that is a part of society within the correct age range should be allowed to vote because the issues also affect them. i also feel that if you are still in jail that you've given up your rights as long as you are incarcerated because you are not a part of society, atleast not part of the outside community. just my opinion [camomom]
I'm not so sure if I want to see ex-felons voting, but isn't it their right? Kashi [Kashigurl]
Im sorry dude, I didn't mean to offend. You do the time, then get back on into the groove with society (if there IS such a a thing) and vote. If you are paying taxes, you should vote. Kashi [Kashigurl]
If people shouldn't vote because of their previous moral behaviour then perhaps many politicians shouldn't be allowed to run? [aslanlight]
I thought you'd appreciate it! lol [aslanlight]