14th Amendment Pros And Cons

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Looking back on American History America as a whole has come a long way from the wealthy white dominate patriarchy society it once was. In today's society everyone has a set of civil liberties that protect their rights as an American citizen, but this is not always true when it comes to voting. According to the fourteenth amendment " The states [have] the authority to deny voting rights to anyone that has a criminal conviction" (Pilipinas School Net 2016). Texas just happens to be one of those states that implements that fourteenth amendment towards convicted felons. While some states take away the right to vote indefinitely Texas has certain stipulations when it comes to currently incarcerated individuals, those released from prison but who are still on parole, and those who are ex-convicts and have completed their parole. According to Texas law one must have " successfully completed his or her punishment, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or has been pardoned, then that person is immediately eligible to register to vote " (Texas Secretary of State 2004). These …show more content…

These individuals are expected to return to society and live by the rules of the government but not have a say in who they're being governed by should be unconstitutional. Criminals are still citizens that Americans expects them to be " reformed " after being in prison but how can someone prove they have changed if they have to constantly be reminded and stamped with convicted felon when trying to learn and move along with their lives. Some can argue that people incarcerated are not affect directly by the laws that could be passed while they are serving their time, but it does affect those individual’s families, friend and them as well if they are up for parole or still having to serve probation upon