The Pros And Cons Of Disenfranchisement
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The majority of states in the U.S. have some sort of disenfranchisement laws. This means that in most states, once an individual is convicted of a felony, that individual will lose their right to vote. Depending on state laws, it can be for life or for a few years. According to Allard, about 3.9 million Americans, or one in fifty adults, have lost their ability to vote because of felony charges. More than one third of the total disenfranchised population are African American men (Allard 2000). There has been litigation in many different states to combat disenfranchisement, but there are still many hoops to jump through for an ex-felon to re-attain their voting rights. For example, in Virginia, an ex-felon can restore their voting privileges after a five to seven year waiting period (Allard 2000).
In the United States, society has a
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Without a serious punishment, these people are more likely to repeat their crimes. Heather Kramer and Otis Newton, who write for the Lakeside Publishing Group, believe that disenfranchisement is a necessary measure against convicted felons, as these criminals have failed to comply with the very document that provides them with many freedoms. This article hopes to attract the attention of the general
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Texas Constitution V. Maine Constitution What is a constitution? According to Merriam Webster Dictionary a constitution is a document that describes the system of beliefs and laws by which a country, state or organization is governed. In numerous ways, the Texas and Maine constitution are similar documents.
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In United States the government decide who get the rights to vote. In 1774 to 1848 only white men was given the right to vote who they like to representatives but in modern day now things has changed. Laits.utexas.edu said “the right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.” The analysis of this quote is every citizens of the United States that was over 18 year olds can vote. This quote can be useful to help support this big argument by get more facts or information about who get the rights to vote in United States Democratic
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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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Thirty U.S. states deny voting rights to convicts on probation, and thirty-five states disenfranchise parolees. In the most extreme cases, eleven states carry on denying voting rights even to some “ex-felons” who have successfully fulfilled their prison, parole, or probation sentences. Most of americans agree that Ex-felons should be able to vote, yes, but so should prisoners themselves?! To some, the idea may seem risky, unnecessary or even unconscionable. But in fact, there are good reasons to embrace it.
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Since 1100 B.C this wrongful wave of taking away ex-felon and incarcerated felon’s right to vote and other basic rights has been happening and needs to come to a stop. In the U.S alone there is 3.9 million Americans that are denied their voting rights either permanently or temporarily due to disenfranchisement. There is only two states in the nation,Maine and Vermont, who does not practice eliminating felons of their voting rights. The pass forty years disenfranchisement laws has affected the political part of America. Ex and current felons deserve their right to vote because it is their constitutional rights, allows them to have their voices heard, and it is ethical .
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Voting is an important activity which is helpful in expressing the insights, ideologies and motivations of a mass for political parties. Voter eligibility in both national and state election has boundaries and limitations. In some states, only adult white male property owners having certain religious believes had the privilege to vote. As a result, only five percent were eligible to vote in 1790. There were other obstructions such as white only primaries, literacy tests, race, gender and age.
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Felony voting: Unjust or rightful justice As of 2008 over 5.3 million Americans were denied the right to vote due to felony disenfranchisement laws. The United states is among the most punitive nations in the world when it comes to denying the right to vote and this has consequently caused voting rights to be a controversial issue for years now. Disenfranchisement can be linked back to centuries ago, in western countries, felony disenfranchisement can be traced back to ancient greek and roman traditions and was commonly used as a part of the punishment that was put on those convicted of “infamous” crimes and was a part of their civil deaths. Although, many people like myself believe that the limits that are being put on felons
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VOTING (Dictionary)Voting is a formal expression of opinion or choice, either positive or negative, made by an individual or a body of individuals. All American have the right to vote when they turn the age of 18 and are considered an adult. You only hear about voting really when it comes to the election for the President of the United States or a candidate is running for a seat in a government position. The American people believe that they should vote because they think it actually matters. Then there are those American who believe that voting is a complete waste of time.
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First of all, a felon should not be allowed to vote because, their judgement is questionable. A felon is an individual who has committed a serious crime, typically involving violence, and usually serves more than a year in imprisonment. Children and mentally incompetent individuals are not allowed to vote due to their judgement being unquestionable (Shaw, Jerry 2015). A felon’s judgment is just as, if not more problematic. Not only is their judgement questionable, but individuals who commit felonies are typically untrustworthy.
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Democracy is a system of government, people choose political leaders through elections which are held on a regular basis. Every citizen over a certain age is allowed the vote ; regardless of gender and social status. Socrates argued not everyone should be allowed to vote “ Democracy should not include every member of society due to lack of education”. Democracy “is the government of the people, by the people,for the people”. The elections are conducted free and fairly on regular basis, it relies on citizen participation, it is a platform to voice opinions and debate without violence.
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In Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, it talks about democracy in America and its strengths and weaknesses. Having seen the failed attempts at democratic government in his home country of France, Tocqueville wanted to study a stable and prosperous democracy to gain insights into how it worked. His studies led him to conclude that the movement toward democracy and equality of conditions was a universal phenomenon and a permanent historical tendency that could not be stopped. Since this democratic trend was inevitable, Tocqueville wanted to analyze it in order to determine its strengths and dangers so that governments could be formed to reinforce democracy 's strengths while counteracting its weaknesses. Even though Democracy in America
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Web 2.0 has revolutionized the panorama of the information society: users have become information creators and the new web platforms have become relationship venues where new knowledge and ideas emerge. Is this participation really democratic? Or is this a democracy paradox? Where everyone can interact but the decision making places are all outside the net? Does the participation on the web rather helps the citizens or the Governments and Companies?
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Of all the principles that define the American system, the ideals of a democratic republican system are among the most cherished. The idea that average Americans have a choice in their leadership, that the people elevate the best among them, remains central to American political thought to this day. Just as important as the elevation, Americans firmly hold that power given to elected officials must be temporary. The power entrusted to the representatives must be graciously returned following electoral defeat, when the politician’s service is done. Idealistic Americans cherish this concept, and government teachers across the country impress on the nation’s students that this is how the process works.
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Who gets to decide whether a person gets to vote or not? The laws in America seem to be limiting the ability to vote for their future president. When you think “voting” in the United States, you think about being a citizen. To vote you must be a citizen but another big factor is you cannot vote if you are a convicted felon. A convicted felon is prohibited from voting in the states excluding two other states.
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