Should Felons Be Allowed To Vote?

[Dinger]

Poll question: Should Felons Be Allowed To Vote?

I'm not sure. I was just wondering what you think.

[Paul Dlugokencky]

1. Yes!

If a debt is paid to society, and a felon is freed, part of being free in America should be being free to vote (would that more folks actually did). Of course, one is not free to commit a crime again (if rightfully convicted) ;)

on edit:
Didn't Johnny Cash do some time? Shouldn't he have been allowed to vote again when he got out?



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[Maat]

2. My brother-in-law voted in California ..

because persons previously convicted of a felony may vote as long as they are not incarcerated (at least that is my understanding).

I even think that those incarcerated should be allowed to vote. Just because you did something bad doesn't mean you can't vote against a Boooosh.

[Paul Dlugokencky]

4. or vote for "a Booosh"

we should be defending the rights of even those who would vote like complete morons.



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[Maat]

7. I suppose ...

that would require us taking the High Road, right?

I guess I will.

[davidinalameda]

3. felons-no

because technically a felon is someone still in prison

but an ex-felon--why not?

[Paul Dlugokencky]

5. aha!

good point! missed that fine point!

If the point of being incarcerated in a correctional facility is to "correct" a felon towards more responsible citizenship, why not allow them to vote?



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[davidinalameda]

27. even if they're on probation

I know that some rights like owning a gun, etc are denied but voting?

come on--what--are they going to take their ballot and knock over a 7-11?

[Maple]

6. We decided 'yes' in Canada

so that no one would ever be able to put opponents in jail on false charges, and deny them their political rights.

And everyone is a citizen, even if they legitimately screw up.

[Maat]

8. Makes a whole lot of sense to me, Maple.

That is the policy I am in favor of.

[Paul Dlugokencky]

10. Oh, Canada!

The USA's better behaved sibling!



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[emlev]

30. Good point! Also...

I want people to care about what happens in the world, and having the right to vote can sometimes encourage people to do that.

Plus, it's important to remember that many of the laws that "felons" have broken were written to protect property and privilege, not people. I have a family member in jail for a felony that was a crime of poverty. Many women who killed their batterers are classified as "felons." And many, especially people of color, are falsely convicted.

Plus, if the neocons have their way, most of us here at DU will be behind bars soon, too.

[James T. Kirk]

9. No way!

Felons are people who have violated our society's most serious laws.

They should be allowed to vote.

They should be denied the right to bear arms.

They should be denied government employment.

[Paul Dlugokencky]

11. What if the tables were turned?

What if you, James T. Kirk, were imprisoned on false charges. The jury could be all Klingons!



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[James T. Kirk]

24. Been there, done that!

I would be rescued by my friends, of course!

That one was quite an adventure and it had Michael Dorn and Iman in it, too!

[Paul Dlugokencky]

28. Good to have good friends!

but you shouldn't have chosen your lawyer off of priceline.com



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[Bravo411]

21. Re: Felons are people who have violated our society's most serious laws.

If a person in California gets busted for marijuana with the intent to sell, even just a dime bag, or they are growing their own plant without a medical card, it's a FELONY.

How is that breaking our society's most serious laws.

[James T. Kirk]

23. The people of California decided on their laws. That's democracy.

I think they might want to change that law, but it's really up to them.

[AtLiberty]

12. If we allow felons to program our voting software...

...then it's only fair to allow felons to vote!

[Wilms]

13. Bingo! n/t

[tech3149]

14. you serve your time

you're a citizen and have the rights recognized by the Constitution. Nothing can be more simplistic than that.

[Poppyseedman]

15. I'm falling somewhere in the middle.

My kid has a felony conviction for doing something as stupid as throwing a beer bottle at a person. In Florida that's considered a deadly missile.

He made a mistake, never served more than one day in county jail and should be allowed to vote, but he can't.

On the other people who have proven themselves a menace to society that are still walking the streets, (there are lots of them who are felons who have gotten out) I'm not so sure about letting them help pick the people who will represent me. If their judgment is so bad and continue to make serious lapses of personal behavior (judgment), I say No.

[dragonkeep]

25. He needs to apply to have his rights reinstated.

In Florida, if he has served his time, parole and fulfilled all of his sentencing requirements, he can submit an application to have his rights reinstated. This will allow him all rights except the right to keep and bear arms. Have him do this, it should help him become whole again.

[Unforgiven]

16. Might as Well

we have felons running the country in office!!!

[Peace Patriot]

17. Yeah, you trumped me...I was thinking...

"Should felons be allowed to vote?"

You mean Dick Cheney, John Bolton, John Negroponte, Condoleeza Rice, Alberto Gonzales, and anybody named Bush?

Most felons, yes. Them, no.

[Hippo_Tron]

18. I don't see how we can deny them the right to vote

Without the right to vote, we could enact any ridiculous laws on them that we choose. Our prison system is already fucked up enough as it is.

[AtLiberty]

19. Fight for Rush Limbaugh's right to vote!

:D

[kansasblue]

20. then there's enough felons voting to make a difference....

then it's time they made a difference.

Meaning that if society has decided to lockup that many people, so many that it affects the vote, then maybe that a good thing. Let them vote.

[emlev]

22. It's the wrong question

Ask instead,
"Should criminals be allowed to run for office?"
"Should criminals be allowed to stay in office once their crimes are detected?"
"Should criminals be allowed to count the votes?"

[dragonkeep]

26. I know! I know!!!

No, no, and no! Did I get it right?

[meganmonkey]

29. Do the crime, do the time...Then your rights should be fully

restored. Makes sense to me. (especially since, as other posters have pointed out, who knows how many innocent folks are doing time?!?!?)