SHOULD EX-CONS BE ABLE TO VOTE?
People are talking about whether or not ex-cons should be allowed to vote. I know in some states they can (click here to see where they can and can’t), but as far as I’m concerned once you committed a crime against your fellow man, you have opted out of the system. You’ve decided to live your life beyond the boundaries of civilized behavior. That’s why your an “outlaw,” right — you lived by your own rules. So it doesn’t make sense to me that once you have made that choice, you decide on voting day that you want to act right and do the right thing. No sir.
It’s true, we all make mistakes. But mistakes must come with consequences as to deter you from making more mistakes. If you have a committed a crime, served your time but cannot vote, well that’s just your little red Wagon, son. You made that bag, now you live in it. We can’t change the rules because you think you’ve changed. That doesn’t make sense. You should have been civic-minded BEFORE you committed your crime —- maybe you would have rethought that whole course of action.
I know it’s easy to feel sorry for reformed criminals who have served their time and now want a clean slate. But it’s even easier to feel sorry for the victims of these crimes–the rest of us who have often had our lives changed forever. It just seems to me that it’s not fair that criminals should be able to get their lives back in total. What do you think?
Should ex-cons be able to vote? Tell us here.
Images courtesy of wcg.org.
(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)
If they have paid their debt to society, why not let them vote?
Absolutely, anyone who has served their time should not be punished the rest of their life by not being allowed to vote.
Yes, I believe ex-con’s should be able to vote. They gave done their time and after release should not still be getting punished. Otherwise, are they really free. Also for an ex-con to want to vote is saying a lot. There are law abiding citizens out there who refuse to vote or even register. Everyone America citizen deserves the right to vote.
I see no problem with ex con’s being allowed to vote, issues affect them as well and they should have a voice as well. its like a double edge sword, they are punished for doing the crime and punished when they are released i.e. unable to find employment etc.
IF A PERSON HAS DONE THEIR TIME AND WANT TO BE A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN AGAIN,
WHY SHOULDN’T BE ALLOW TO VOTE AND BE COUNTED??
THE SO-CALLED SYSTEM SHOULDN’T HAVE THE POWER TO TAKE AWAY THAT BASIC RIGHT
THAT MANY HAVE DIED FOR— THE RIGHT TO VOTE
I absolutely believe that they should be able to vote. This is part of the re-entry program and becoming a law abiding citizen. But of course this is just another way to keep the vote unbalanced. And allowing the government to continue to be the racket that it is.
Yes, after their debt has been paid they should have all rights as a citizen restored. They (We) have to pay taxes, we should have a say so. This is another mechanism to keep certain sectors of society out of the process, another “slavery” mechanism.
YES, I THINK THEY SHOULD. WHY NOT EVERYONE PAYS TAXES. AND NOT ONLY THAT, YOUR PAST SHOULD BE YOUR PAST! REMEMBER, WE LIVE IN AMERICA WHERE EVERYONE IS SUPPOSE TO BE TREATED EQUALLY. IF SOCIETY WENT BACK AND SAID EVERYONE WHO DID SOMETHING IN THE PAST COULD NOT VOTE, THAT WOULD BE ALL OF AMERICA. BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE HAVE DONE SOMETHING IN THEIR PAST AND NOT GOT CAUGHT. I LIVE IN TEXAS, AND EHE EX CONS HERE CAN’T FIND JOBS, GET APARTMENTS, HOUSES OR ANYTHING. THEY GO BACK 20 YEARS IF THEY CAN AND HOLD IT ALL AGAINST YOU. BUT NOW THOSE PEOPLE THAT COMMITTED ALL THOSE CRIMES IN ENRON, HEY THEY WILL HIRE THEM AND GET THEM A PLACE TO STAY WITHOUT A PROBLEM. SOCIETY NEEDS TO REALIZE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY THAT GOD HAS, THEY CAN SAVE NO ONE OR JUDGE ANYONE!
I agree with Yvette!!! Everyone complains about crime and if people are not given opportunities or second chances what are they to do? They have families as well. We are quick to judge withoutout knowing the facts and/or circumstances. I grew up in LA and I saw first hand the injustices done because of public outcry. If you pay taxes you should have a voice in how your money is spent. If you can’t vote you should not be allowed to pay taxes. And yes, do you remember the crooks of Enron and now Wall Street?
I believe every American citizen should have the right to vote.. Why continue to punish someone for a crime they have committed and has already paid their debt to society. I say get your rights restored and vote in this Presidential Election..
One of the understood laws of the land is no taxation without representation. If ex-cons hav served their time and are now paying taxes, then they should have the full rights as any other citizen of the US.
I am a ex-felon,who is having trouble finding a good job because of it.Now I am getting the round around here in Alabama about voting.I feel if I have NO SAY SO about who I want to represent me,I will never be given a fair chance to show that I am a reformed individual.And GOD forbid,ugly thoughts come into mind.For me voting gives hope.
God forgives!
I am a wife, mother, former elected public official, former police commissioner, former college professor and felon. I served time in a federal prison camp. I am paying my debt to society. I have accepted and completed my sentence. At sentencing they do no say you are no longer a citizen. They do not say you are no longer human. They do not say you do not get to enjoy the very air that I breathe.
We want to pick and choose who we punish in America. We want convicts to continue to pay with their lives…long after they have served their sentences. Few go to prison for their entire lives. Few get life sentences. Most will get out and will want to have productive full and abundant lives. And they should.
As a felon who has served time in a federal prison camp and who is currently on probation and CANNOT vote…until I am done with probation in the great State of CT. I do believe if you served your time and paid your debt to society then you should have your right to vote restored.
To think otherwise just fuels the notion that the complex prison system is fine and folks ought to get longer sentences…that only applies to those who cannot afford powerful attorneys.
Those that say ex-cons should not vote are playing into a long system of racial polarity. The etsablished parties understand that as long as they can surpress a population of folks from voting then they have a better chance of winning. It is racially and economically driven. If you do not know that, then you need to go and read and spend some time thinking rather than espousing inflammtory rhetoric.
My Sister fiend Jill of She Talks Likes She Writes sent me over here.
I’m glad Babz left her thoughts.
I believe if you’ve fulfilled everything the court asks of you, you should be able to get the right to vote restored to you.
What I’d like to read your thoughts on, jimi is why the vote - why do you think the right to vote should be revoked permanently? Do you think that it should depend on the crime or all crimes deserve to have that one particular right revoked permanently?
I’ll think about it but part of me also thinks that maybe its people who have been through the court and prison system who can vote with the clearest of consciences to direct us in the right way.
I think I’m not sure why, of all rights you lose and might be able to get back once your sentence is served, why is the right to vote one you think should never be given back?
Yes,Ex cons should be able to vote once released from prison with all parole and probation obligations satisfied.The purpose is to reintergrate these people back into society and to become productive.Stripping one of this right to vote says you’re a outcast and no longer part of society as a whole. We all know the criminal justice system is biased three strikes law for exmple,i say this who is the most imprisoned people black males.
Yes. What is the purpose for imprisonment if it’s not truly considered a punishment that repays a debt to society?
Yes!!! Alot of our young people commited what ever crime when they were young and did their time in prisons around the United States. When they come out they have a hard time finding work and or support from the general government,yet they try the best they can and never get in trouble with the law again. I don’t think it’s fair they can’t voice their opinion or choice yet who ever is in office still has the right to effect their future!!! Something needs to be done,one size doesn’t fit all just like every punishment doesn’t fit all!!!!!!
Yes, they are already going to have a hard time trying to survive with a criminal record, why make it worst taking away a civil liberty…that would not be right at all.
Hell NO! Voting and everything that goes along with being a good citizen is a privilege and if you blew it then get over it!
Too many people only care about what makes them equal to white folks and superior to non-white folks. Bottom line, if you blow your opportunities to look down on everyone else that think and speak different than you then you got what you deserve. EOS!
BTW – Please save the BS sob stories about you, because until you practice redemption towards the same black people you hate and hurt at the relationship and social levels, then the same white man you want to restore your privilege will just look at you as an unreformed criminal who still hasn’t learned a damn thing.
All those yes’s, I just knew somebody was going to say no.
Even the best of citizens fall short, and I’m not just talking about felons, criminals period. You’re only one bad decision away from the inside of a jail cell. How are we to expect criminals to turn from their criminal ways and live an honest law-abiding lifestyle if we’re going to continue to treat them like they’re incapable of doing the right thing. For example, this is why it’s so easy for someone who did time for selling dope, to come out of jail, and go right back to selling dope. Now, some do it willingly because they’re too lazy or impatient to make their money the legal way, however, there are some, whom after being declined for a job so many times due to their criminal record, feel they have no choice but to go back to hustling to make their ends meet.
We’re so quick to toss these people under the bridge and chastise them for what they did do vs. what they didn’t do and demand that they deal with it when there’s a much bigger issue that we’re not even looking at.
Ex-cons need help (aside from probation) readjusting to everyday society, every thing from getting a job to staying out of trouble, especially if we expect them to leave their criminal ways behind and have productive lives.
Ex-cons..I like how those who have not ever committed a crime label a person. Once you have paid your debt to society then yes, you should be able to vote just like every other potential criminal who doesn’t have a record yet….lest not forget this…anyone can become an ex-con, whether it be by false accusation, mistaken identity or just plain old embezzelment, etc..Those who pay taxes and work like everyone else should be able to enjoy their new life.
I believe that crimes such as murder, rape, child molestation and other violent felonies against human kind are crimes that should revoke a person’s right to vote. But the many crimes committed that are not violent against human kind such as drug trafficking, grand theft auto, burglary, embezzlement, etc. should warrant a conditional suspension at most. I don’t think these crimes are such that the criminal should be necessarily written off in regard to voting. Many of these criminals commit these crimes at a young age often out of desperation caused by there socio-economic circumstances. Also regardless of there crime many of these people become respectable law abiding citizens. Right now we are going through the worst economic crisis in decades. Jobs are being lost and prices of necessities continue to rise. How do you think a families without incomes will be supported without the availability of jobs ? I’ll tell you how - CRIME !!! Does that make them bad ? I don’t think so, I think it makes them needy. While I do think that they shouldn’t be eligible to vote, I don’t feel it should necessarily be a permanent. I believe that they should be suspended from voting for twelve years or some other number to be decided by the American public or our representative.
I did some quick research looking for a state that will permanently revoke driving privileges for DUI/DWI convictions, and found that most will do so only in cases of MULTIPLE offenses. A lawyer or lawmaker may need to speak to this, but I couldn’t find a single state that will permanently revoke a driver’s license in every case of felony convictions, even when a loss of life results from a DUI/DWI.
Now, if a person who killed someone as the result of drunk driving might have an easier time getting their driving rights restored than their right to choose a leader, then something is very wrong with that. I suspect that the laws are designed this way because more people drink than commit robberies, thereby eliminating the chance that “important” people would get snagged.
To all you bleeding hearts,
Fourteen states severely restrict — or even prohibit — “onetime” prisoners from casting ballots.
Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska and Virginia disenfranchise individuals with a felony conviction; eight states — Arizona, Delaware, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, Tennessee, Washington and Wyoming — prohibit voting based on specific criteria, such as the type or number of convictions.
The felons’ inability to have voting rights restored is “a combination of a lack of information, poor technology and limited assistance,”
Restoring felons’ voting rights can help them stay out of trouble, but it is up to them to get off their asset and get it done, this sounds a lot like work to lazy people.
BTW - Do we trust felons to automatically have guns back when they serve their time?
Gun ownership by a person who was convicted of a crime involving a gun, in no way compares to casting a ballot.
If we’re going to arbitrarily strip rights, does this mean we should also kick their K-12 children out of school?
It’s appropriate that republicans call people who exhibit compassion ‘bleeding hearts’, because vampires have no blood to be bled.
Jimi you are as wrong as wrong could be on this one. I’m glad that your readers have the good sense to call you out on it. You talk about a decision to live “beyond the boundaries of civilized behavior” and brand such folk as “outlaws”. That is PAST behavior - behavior that has been atoned for.
I am a law school graduate who never practiced law, but I can assure you that it truly shouldn’t even matter what crime a person committed. In our system of jurisprudence THE JUDGE AND JURY decide both the GUILT AND PUNISHMENT of the accused - not the legislatures, executives, and the biased non-juror citizenry. Again, we have a branch of government - the judiciary - who has the sole authority in deciding punishment. They tailor the punishments to the crimes and even account for mitigating circumstances. The legislative role is to determine the acts and omissions that constitute a crime and the RANGE of punishments for the judiciary to CONSIDER! Typically, judges are even free to structure their punishments UNDER that bar because we as a society decided they could. For ANYONE to pontificate that ANY individual or governmental entity should have the right to punish a convict BEYOND the decision of the judiciary is both un-American and un-Christian.
If we feel that the judiciary was too HARSH OR LENIENT our address is through the judiciary process of appeal, with the constitutional exception of executive pardon or clemency. Additionally, since the judiciary typically make no provision in their sentencing specifically stripping these convicts of their VOTING RIGHTS, they ought to be able to vote even while incarcerated. The judiciaries don’t strip reproductive rights, rights to an attorney if accused of a crime while jailed, parental rights, or any other right upon sentencing. Except in capital cases where they decide to end the convict’s life - they just take their freedom for a specified time.
So laws that restrict convict/ex-convict voting rights - just like mandatory sentencing guidelines - are nothing more than legislatives’ invasions into the purview of the judicial branches of our governments. Through our rights of freedom of assembly, we have only the personal right to shun persons we deem undesirable - not strip them of their voting RIGHTS! You call it a privilege, but did we pass a “voting privilege act” or a “voting RIGHTS act”? The “privilege” aspect only applies to the decision as to what age we will “privilege” people with their “RIGHT” to vote. A “privilege” is what you get with the issuance of a driver’s license.
Only the author, and one other idiot
(Mr. G)would deprive an individual of a right that each has earned as a result of citizenship in this country.
Many Jehova’s Witnesses refuse to register and vote, but self inflicted denial is a choice, also due to the right of an individual to choose. Therefore be very clear, government should not be able to remove voting rigths unless one continues to be a ward of the prison system, or the court system. The trained lawyer, who doesn’t practice law, really breaks it down for us. Problem is … he too damn deep for ya’ll” - for me too.
Amazingly, blacks who are forgiving victims of black criminals tend to be black democrats who vote for their slave masters children because that is the black “gostabereal” thing to do.
BTW - The “hip and down” negros should try using less ebonic gramma when choosing web alias’, it gives more credit to your idiotic & ridiculous point of view. Thanks in advance.
Mr. G.:
I have read your three entries here and “Amazingly” you seem only capable of berating those whose opinions offer variance to yours. I submit to you that, should you decide to attack the ISSUE and not the PERSON, it would give vastly more credence to your own “idiotic and ridiculous point of view”. Just a thought…
Servant2all wrote: …the judiciary - who has the sole authority in deciding punishment…
Rebuttal: The judicial system was created by our Constitution to interprets the law! The legislative writes the law! And guess what, the executive enforces the LAW!
Servant2all wrote: I am a law school graduate who never practiced law…
Rebuttal: Thank goodness, because there is no need for you to impersonate someone with a clue per our legal frame work.
Please don’t breed. Just a thought…
The prefix is “ex” so if an individual has completed the time for punishment then that part of their time is over. The Corrections system has one to believe that you have stopped being human because of poor choices. We maintain criminals on the Senate, Governors, even the President and the double standard of criminality vs capital is suppose to justify who’s who for breaking the law. Without a shadow of a doubt the civilians after incarceration should be allowed to practice all rights to being citizens once they have served for their wrong. Judgement stopped after the prison sentence was carried out. We must initiate rehabilitation in every area, when one has been penalized and set out to become an asset to the community after the punishment is over.
Jimi, you clearly don’t understand the system and how it is set up to incarcerate the black man. Now I do believe that the system can be beaten, however that’s not what I’m here to discuss right. It is because of your lack of knowledge that you would think ex-cons shouldn’t be able to vote. How many people within your lifetime who are political figures do you think probably should have been convicts? Jesse Helms? George Wallace? and the list goes on. Do you think many senators and other officials particularly from the south should have been convicts. Hell, they never lost the right to vote and we can only imagine what they have done. I mean, lets face it during Jim Crow (many people who enforced Jim Crow laws are still alive) law enforcement was the Klan. It just so happens that they were never brought to trial or never convicted of their crimes. You obviously think it’s ok that the scum who killed young Emmit Till (who were guilty although never convicted but later admitted guilt to a magazine reporter)should have the right to vote but a brother who may have a minor drug charge or assault charge or whatever should not have the right to vote. Please study history and understand the system more young man. It’s a set up to silence your voice. YES EX-CONS SHOULD HAVE VOTING RIGHTS.
It is amazing the banter that persist amongst our people. The only time we come together is for funerals, and soon (if not before)as the funeral is over we go back to attack mode. This is why we….Thanks be to God for forgiveness, we are still all the same in the eyes of the Almighty. I am glad I don’t judge myself on the basis of some of the idiocy that is so pervasive in our lives. We are commissioned to love one another even the “Mr. G’s” of the world, felonies or not! I am so glad God forgives!
Yes, they should have the right to vote. What is the reaseon why people who has served time in prision can’t vote??? Will someone please explain it to me???? Because I truly don’t know.
As a young man growing up in the south during the fight for Civil Rights, I looked forward to the time when I could cast my first vote. I remembered stories my dad told about his father registering voters in Alabama in the 1950’s and how dangerous it was. In high school civics class, I learned that you could loose your right to vote by committing a felony. Once I got the right to vote, I did not want to do anything to jeopordize that right. The right to vote is a Constitutional Right that can be revoked. I do believe that convicted felons should have the right to have their Constitutional Rights restored - especially the right to vote - if they petition their state for redress.
Well me being a first time voter this year, I believe thateveryone should be able to vote, regardles of what you did. I don’t think that they should be able to vote while in prison,because they arent a free citizen so they shouldn’t have that right but after they get out of jail they should be able to vote. They are still humans, and should still have the same rights as everyone esle they did there time and know there just like you and I. If you don’t agree imagine if you had done a crime, and done your time and was out of jail, you would feel like you should have the same rights as everyone else because you where a free american.
I feel if the person has served their time and is attempting to be a positive contributor to their respective community, then they should be allowed to vote. To vote is a privilege as well as a right. I believe we have denied to many people for to long,due to prejudice and without proper justification.
YES YES YES AND AGAIN YES….. Currently CONS are running the White House so why shouldn’t Ex-cons vote!!!
One Love….Peace
As a individual who has family members that have served time in jail I personally believe that people that are in jail serving a sentence should be able to vote . They are paying for what they did in the past now while in jail and soon after leaving jail as well . Why not be able to vote there is not a good enough reason as to why these individuals should not be allowed to participate in their civic responsibility and right . They are allowed to get and apply for jobs soon after being being released from jail and some individuals as a part of their parol have to work. They are able to earn a income and pay taxes.
Voting is a element of life .
It’s time for a change
Educate yourself on statistics. If we dont alow ex cons to learn from their mistakes and become productive members of society voting included other wise they are back on the streets doing what they do best. They have served their time to state guiedline and released back into society for a reason. I think it suck that ex cons have such a hard time getting jobs but yet society bitches about the drug dealers on the streets and the crime rate at an all time high. Well thats my 2 cents
Yes Indeedy! Ex-Cons were Citizens when they entered the Prison System, and upon release they’re STILL CITIZENS of the USA with the GOD Given RIGHT TO VOTE as a PRODUCTIVE Human Beings excercising their 1st Amendment Right!
Society has already stripped them of their Dignity & Pride by being incarcerated for 20-year Drug Use Charge or lessor crime as a Black Men, and if Any Man has already served their time, then Ex-Cons should be allowed BY LAW to VOTE in any Election regardless of their circumstances once released.
If Ex-Cons are allowed to OBTAIN A DRIVER’S LICENCE, then by right Ex-Cons should be ALLOWED TO VOTE!
With the REPUBLICAN Lawyers & The Old Boy Network Running the White House for well over 20-years in Congress and seated in The Senate, including The 9-Supreme Justices who’ve Bent & Twisted THE LAW only to Serve the purpose of Their Associates of their High Profile & White Collar Crimes, which Lead Old Boy Network in Washington to FREEDOM with no time served! BUT, Laws CREATED, BENT and TWISTED to Flooded African American Community with Police the BLACK MAN LAW is Every Day Life incarcerated has become BIG PROFITS $$$ for free SLAVE LABOR, because the The OLD BOY NETWORK in Washington & on WALL STREET, and I wanna know who’s going to STOP their ILLEGAL SLAVE BUSINESS to Incarcerate our MEN? Who is Going to STOP Washington’s OLD BOY REPUBLICAN NETWORK OF GREED & INJUSTICES TOWARD our MEN?
PEOPLE WAKE UP & LOOK AT THE FACTS, THE LAW is crooket like the letter “S”, and our Washington ELITE & OLD BOY NETWORK gig is up, and it’s Time to Fight for Our Rights & Rights of Our Ex-Cons to VOTE!
Christine Shannon-Preval of HARTFORD, CT
Correction*********Yes Indeedy! Ex-Cons were Citizens when they entered the Prison System, and upon release they are STILL CITIZENS of the USA with the GOD Given RIGHT TO VOTE as a PRODUCTIVE Human Beings excercising their 1st Amendment Right!
Society has already stripped them of their Dignity & Pride by being incarcerated as an example for 20-year Drug Use Charge or by a lessor crime, or even by being Falsely imprisoned, especially as a Black Man / Woman, then I say if Any Man / Woman has already served their time, then Ex-Cons should be allowed BY LAW to VOTE in any Election regardless of their circumstances once released to resume life within Society!
If Ex-Cons are allowed to OBTAIN A DRIVER’S LICENCE, then by right Ex-Cons should be ALLOWED TO VOTE? Inquiring minds want to know, don’t you?
With the REPUBLICAN Lawyers, The ELITE, The SPECIAL Interest Groups and The OLD BOY NETWORK Running the White House for well over 20-years within The CONGRESS and seated in The SENATE, including The 9-Supreme Justices who have Bent & Twisted THE LAW only to Serve themselves and HELP Their ELITE & RICH Associates too escape High Profile & White Collar Crimes on a daily basis with a slap on the wrist by Judge, and FREEDOM is only a $$$ BUCK AWAY with a 10-digit call to who?, a LAWYER for the LOVE OF MONEY$$$ and NO TIME SERVED!
BUT remember, Laws were RE-CREATED, BENT and TWISTED back in the 1980’s up to the Present to specifically Flood The African American Community’s with Police to sting now, or wound, but don’t shoot towards FREE SLAVERY by way of Incarceration and by ANY MEANS NECESSARY because it’s the POOR & DISINFRANCHISED BLACK MEN & WOMAN WITHOUT A CHOICE or VOICE, and Denied FREEDOM by The OLD BOY NETWORK of Judges throughout the USA & on WALL STREET running the SHIP for far too long, and I wanna know who’s going to STOP their ILLEGAL SLAVE BUSINESS to Incarcerate our MEN & WOMEN? Who is Going to STOP Washington’s OLD BOY REPUBLICAN ELITE NETWORK OF GREED & INJUSTICES TOWARD our PEOPLE due to Crooket Laws written by the Elite & Special Interest NETWORK within The CONGRESS?
PEOPLE WAKE UP & LOOK AT THE FACTS, THE LAW is crooket like the letter “S”, and our Washington ELITE & OLD BOY NETWORK gig is up, and it’s Time to Fight for Our Rights & Rights of Our Ex-Cons to VOTE?
Christine Shannon-Preval of HARTFORD
IMPORTANT IMPORTANT MUST READ!!!!!
THIS GOES OUT TO EVERYONE WHO THINKS FELONS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO VOTE!
KEY POINT BEING MADE IS IN THE LAST SENTENCE OF THIS REPORT, FROM ‘THE ASSOCIATED PRESS’!!!
WASHINGTON – Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted of seven corruption charges Monday in a trial that threatened to end the 40-year career of Alaska’s political patriarch in disgrace. The verdict, coming barely a week before Election Day, increased Stevens’ difficulty in winning what already was a difficult race against Democratic challenger Mark Begich. Democrats hope to seize the once reliably Republican seat as part of their bid for a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
Stevens, 84, was convicted of all the felony charges he faced of lying about free home renovations and other gifts from a wealthy oil contractor. Jurors began deliberating last week.
The Senate’s longest-serving Republican, Stevens said he had no idea he was getting freebies. He said he paid $160,000 for the project and believed that covered everything.
He had asked for an unusually speedy trial, hoping he’d be exonerated in time to return to Alaska and win re-election. He kept his campaign going and gave no indication that he had a contingency plan in case of conviction.
Despite being a convicted felon, he is not required to drop out of the race or resign from the Senate. If he wins re-election, he can continue to hold his seat because there is no rule barring felons from serving in Congress.
THAT BEING SAID…..I KNOW, CLOSE YOUR MOUTHS! THIS IS A JAW DROPPER! IT MUST DEPEND ON WHERE THE FELON IS SEATED!!! SO AGAIN I SAY WHY SHOULDN’T A FELON VOTE???
ONE LOVE AND PEACE….IYATA
Yes,felons should be allowed to vote if time is served.I personally get tired of those in society who wants to make aperson continue ot pay for his or her mistakes.
I am an ex con of forty-five years. I have voted in all major elections because of the sentiments voiced by many here. Mine was a minor victimless crime that would now be a low level misdemeanor. I won’t go into the guilt or innocence issue of many convictions, including my own.
I am a white male who was very broke at the time and was an ex con at age 21. A lot has been tough in the workforce because of that. I am a “law and order” guy but feel if you do the crime you do the time…and that’s it.
My friend went to vote last thursday. After waiting in line for three hours only to be told he could not vote. He asked why, and was told that he needed to be cleared to vote. This gentleman had been incarcerated 8 or 9 years ago for a nonviolent crime, has been a productive citizen since, works everyday, has received a voters registration card for more than a year ago and can”t vote.? We live in Miami Fla, and as my mother used to say “something in the milk ain’t clean”.We called the Obama campaign office here in Miami and was told this should have been taken care of then and there, it was’nt. We were told that a voters attorney would phone him either today or tommorrow 10/31. I will certainly let you know. A lot of people here are in the same boat. and have given up, we can’t do that. Please Mr. Baisden,let people not to give up please. It’s crucial especially here in Florida. Thank you.
We should have the right to vote , after you paid your dues to the state
you are paid, we should be able to start
over. If you want to make a time the person has to be free of any crimes then
be able to vote then do this .
There are certain crimes where people should not have a second chance. But then those people are, hopefully, locked away from society for the duration of their earthly visit. Everybody else should get a second chance. It is the smart thing to do for society as a whole. To do otherwise only invites more crime and hatred. When a person has served the sentence required by law, their debt has been “paid in full”. For a person to pay the debt and has been rehabilitated and released back into society only to be rejected and scorned really doesn’t leave that person any opportunity to be productive. The only opportunity society is, in affect, offering them is to engage in more criminal behavior, more out of a “survival” instinct than anything else. So, the only rational thing for us to do, knowing that their debt has been paid in full, is to welcome them back, fully restored, until they prove they don’t deserve it. Then, away with them again.
I believe that ex-cons who are on probation should not be allowed to vote. Convicted felons should have a restoration period before they are allowed to vote.