Every American citizen should be legally eligible to vote, even those with past criminal convictions (like me). Do you agreee, or disagree? Let’s discuss!
Yes, every American citizen should be able to cast their vote via ballot as guaranteed by the US Constitution. For nearly 200 years, the legal system in this country has removed or restricted the ability to vote as a form of punishment, which has been affirmed and reaffirmed by the courts. The minutiae of the ability to do so or not after a conviction within any state is mind-blowing to say the least
As someone from outside the U.S., I’m genuinely curious about how changes to voter rights might impact communities with large prison populations. If incarcerated individuals were granted voting rights, it seems like areas with relatively small local populations but large prisons might experience significant shifts in political representation and local influence. In places where thousands of inmates are counted in the population, wouldn’t this potentially skew the balance of local votes and resources? I imagine it would be a complex challenge to balance fair representation with the unique dynamics of these smaller communities. How do others feel about this potential shift? What are the benefits or challenges you think could arise from granting voting rights to incarcerated people, especially in these smaller, rural areas?
Mark Marino
2w
Yes, Harley, I agree: —————- Once they have served their sentence; and have also then completed their parole (if applicable), after having served their sentence, as well, ————— they then should be allowed to then legally register to then vote - ———- whether it be in township elections; borough elections; village elections; city elections; county elections; parrish elections (for Louisiana); state elections and federal elections! —————- The only crimes, that a person has been convicted of, that would then never allow that person to be able to register to vote, are treason (selling or otherwise providing information or assistance to another nation or terrorist group); ————- and/or espionage (spying); —————- and/or sedition (giving comfort to a foreign enemy), ————— all federal crimes. —————- My reasoning here is that if you do something, as an American citizen, that harms, or even could potentially harm, our country itself, then you forever lose that right to vote in any American election of any sort.
If a presidential candidate can be a felon, why can't a felon vote?
Tim Pedregon
2w
All rights ought to be restored. Who better to understand the importance of second chance initiatives than a person that has been impacted by our criminal justice system. Who better to understand that people that advocate for get tough on crime laws are just pandering to get elected. Who better to understand that people need to meet their basic needs of food, clothing and housing. For too long politicians have made others out to be the boogie man, without quantifiable evidence. So everyone should be allowed to vote if you’re a citizen.
If a felon can be a president then there should be no limitations on anything regarding criminal convictions ie jobs, voting rights, etc.
I’m a constitutionalist, through and through. If your a citizen you should vote. In our modern reality I’m more concerned about people with habitual bad decision making far more than I am someone convicted of a crime now or in the past. There’s no way to ethically prevent idiots from voting though so 😂😂
Everyone should be able to vote. Even those currently incarcerated. We are ALL impacted by US policy and should have a say in who is representing us.
National Public Speaker, Keynote, CJ Reform Advocate, Research Fellow and TEDx Arcadia Speaker
2wEven those who are currently incarcerated!!!!