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Pros And Cons Of Felon Disenfranchisement

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Felon disenfranchisement did not start in the United States. In fact, the practice of felon disenfranchisement began in ancient Greece and Rome before evolving even more in England with “outlawry”, by the time this practice came to the United States it began to evolve into what it is today based on the other nations practices (Grady, 2012, pp. 443-445). Felon disenfranchisement, for those who do not know, is taking away a felon’s right to vote. Usually, this only occurs when they are incarcerated, but some states also do not allow the ex-felons to vote even when they are back in regular society. In Michigan, felons are granted their right to vote again once they are freed from incarceration. Though some may disagree, the state of Michigan should …show more content…

Many felons find it hard to reintegrate themselves back into the population if they are denied their right to vote (Sigler, 2014, p. 1738) Many felons are willing to reintegrate themselves back into society, and many are willing to do so by voting. Allowing them to vote is allowing them to feel like they are apart of society again, and not another class of people that are not allowed to speak their minds and have their voices heard. In fact, an experiment that took place showed that the voting from pre-incarceration to post-incarceration increased by four percent for previously convicted felons (Gerber et al., 2015, p. 924). This shows that convicts are willing to vote, wanting to vote, and feel the need to have their voting rights restored to fully reintegrate themselves back into society like many want them …show more content…

From beginning in ancient Greece and Rome to evolving in England to evolving into what it is now today, this practice has changed greatly throughout the years. Still, not allowing someone the right to vote when they have done their time for the crime that they have committed is a practice that should end. In Michigan, ex-convicts are given the chance to reintegrate themselves into society once they are freed, and one of the main ways they do this is by voting. Instead of fighting against it, Michigan should just keep allowing felons a voice with voting once they are freed from

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97 Words | 1 Pages

This is certainly a conflicting issue. While it is fair to value the welfare of law abiding citizens over the welfare of convicted felons, placing restricting on felons presents the issue of those felons lacking the ability to become a contributing member of society. Like you mentioned, that can provide the push needed for them to return to crime rather than working towards a steady life of their own. Further research into the costs and benefits of such restrictions is necessary to determine whether these types of restrictions actually do benefit society overall like they intend to.

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1006 Words | 5 Pages

“Should blacks receive full voting rights, and what rights should they require. Radical republicans posed that freed slaves should recieve voting rights, but president Johnson quickly turned this down. But congress passed a bill that gave freedmen full rights including voting rights that lasted a few years. In our discussion, we came to the conclusion that freed men weren’t quite ready to vote yet, as they needed to be educated first. We agreed that this way was the best for the freedmen to be admitted back as citizens.

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2369 Words | 10 Pages

And with the 15th Amendment (Voting Right) was passed in 1870, all men regardless of race or color were able to vote. All ex-slaves became a republican due to President Lincoln actions. But even with the Voting Right amendment passing, it was more difficult for ex-slaves in the South to exercise the voting right then those in the

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1015 Words | 5 Pages

United States citizens with a criminal background should be allowed to vote in their state of residency Ontreal Harris Professor Ross Composition II Reference Shaw, Jerry. “When Did Ex-Felons Lose Their Rights to Vote? A History.” Newsmax. Newsmax Media, Inc.

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670 Words | 3 Pages

The removal of this right dehumanizes prisoners. The streets of Texas are filled with blue or white collar criminals on bail or simply waiting for their sentence. Presently, if individual are found guilty of a crime, but they are not given a judicial sentence they are still allowed to vote; why should there be treated differently from convicted criminals who are locked up? However, allowing prisoners to vote while in prison would increase voting turnout and also Texas would gain the reputation of becoming one of the two states that allow prisoners to vote while in prison.

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912 Words | 4 Pages

By 1790, six states had revoked the rule of religion and allowed any religious affiliation to vote. Six states began to allow African Americans to vote as well. The US Constitution left the right to vote up to the states. In the early nineteenth century, the abolition of property rights as a requirement for voting rights and offices holders was banned.

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354 Words | 2 Pages

Finally, my last suggestion would be to alter the labels of ex-felonies for minor violations, and changing how to use the criminal check box. Once an ex-convict paid for their time in prison for inferior crimes we should not label then as a felon, so that they can apply for jobs and do not have to check on the felony box when applying for a job. Consequently, ex-convict could get a better chance to be hired, so that they truly have a chance to readjust in the society. People that who are labeled as a felon have a hard time applying for jobs, housings, and getting food stamps, making it impossible to survive and to provide for their family. They can lose their kids, their home, and become homeless and in other cases going back to jail.

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Felon disenfranchisement is not only unconstitutional but also further institutionalizes racism. For example, in communities consisting of minorities like African Americans and Hispanics felony disenfranchisement unlawfully create a disadvantage for freedom of speech. As stated by Eric H. Holder, JD a US Attorney General “although well over a century has passed since post-Reconstruction …the impact of felony disenfranchisement on modern communities of color remains both disproportionate and unacceptable.” The act of taking away someone’s right to vote notably mirrors the act of forbidding African Americans to vote during the post-Reconstruction Era. Holder refers to the fact that taking away the right to vote essentially withdraws any opinions that minorities

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1104 Words | 5 Pages

Millions of Americans cannot vote because of a felony conviction. People who have done nothing wrong and people who have committed minor crimes have been removed from voting rolls. The American penal system was based on the belief that status in society can be redeemed, and the standards should not be changed for felons. After a felon has served the sentenced prison time, he or she should be able to rejoin society. Felons should have the right to vote restored after being released from prison.

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577 Words | 3 Pages

Keeping Criminals Out A major seat in the Louisiana government will be opening when David Vitter’s term as senator ends. Many respectable candidates are preparing to campaign for this seat in the senate; however, undesirable candidates are running for the position. The Republican party of Louisiana has recently attempted to set laws to bar convicted felons from running for the Louisiana senate seat that will be vacant in coming months. David Duke, a member of the Republican party, recently qualified to run for the seat; however, the Republican party of Louisiana does not approve of Duke running for the seat because of his infamous history.

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2205 Words | 9 Pages

Felons should be granted the right to vote despite the crime that they committed. Disenfranchising felons of the right to vote is inviolable. English Philosopher John Locke “believed that all human beings had certain rights by nature (such as rights to life, liberty, and property), that government existed to protect those rights. (Feser)” Over 5 million convicted felons cannot vote.

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1188 Words | 5 Pages

Felons Need a Voice "6.1 million People in the United States (2.5% of the nation's voting age) could not vote due to a felony conviction" (Uggen).That's a pretty big group of the population that isn’t allowed to vote just because they have a felony. 　 People against felons voting have rested on the fact that we put them in jail to keep them out of society, so we shouldn't let them vote. Or because they broke the law, meaning they gave up their right. And even more simply they’ve proven bad judgment; they shouldn’t be able to vote. But what about after they served their time, that’s the end of their crime.

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852 Words | 4 Pages

V. PRISON REFORMS The main part of this research paper is the reforms for the conditions of prison and make prison a better place for prisoner and make an alternative for incarceration. The prison Reform for prevention of overcrowding in prisons: A ten-point method for reducing the overcrowding in the prisons all over the world, these points are1: 1. Collect and use data to inform a rational, humane and cost-effective use of prison.

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479 Words | 2 Pages

The judgment of those who have committed serious crimes is not only arguable but untrustworthy. The right to vote should not return to felons upon completing their sentence because, there is no way of knowing if the individual has since improved their character. Ex cons should have to go a certain amount time without committing any sort of crime before voting rights are restored. While some may feel not permitting felons to vote goes against the eighth amendment, not allowing them to vote is in the people’s best

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417 Words | 2 Pages

The right to vote was a privilege given to only a particular group of people in the past. The right to participate in the judicial system to some is an honor. This process allows people to voice and chose who they want in office or what issue they want to support. Voter Id laws are incorporated into our society as a form of control in order to keep people silent. Voter id laws are under controversy because the law is viewed as being discriminatory against minorities.

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