In April 2016, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe issued an executive order which restored voting rights to more than 200,000 convicted felons living in the state. The order overturned the state’s practice of felony disenfranchisement, which excludes people from voting who have been convicted of a criminal defense. The 14th amendment of the United States prohibits citizens from voting who have participated in a “rebellion, or other crime” but allows states to determine which crimes qualify for voter disenfranchisement. In the U.S. approximately 5.8 million people are inelig…
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@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes
@98CWLY92yrs2Y
They are still humans with valid opinions
They're gonna vote for whoever is the most lenient on crimes, they're gonna vote for the anarchist.
@9RRFDYZ9mos9MO
I totally agree. They are still human and still have a right to have an opinion. They are still citizens of the United States, and should be able to have the right to vote just like any other citizen.
If someone is convicted of a “hate crime” for expressing an honest opinion (and it looks a though the country is heading in that direction), then that person should be allowed to vote to decriminalize hate crimes.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
You understand that "honest opinions" can still be inciting hatred and/or violence, right?
Secondly, yea, all criminals should be allowed the same rights to vote as any other citizen.
While I understand your viewpoint, it's important to remember that voting is both a right and a privilege. It's a way to participate in our democratic process, and as such, it should be handled responsibly. Consider this, should someone convicted of election fraud, a crime that directly undermines the voting process, still have the right to participate in that process? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
I completely disagree with the notion that voting should be considered a "privilege" in any nation that is meant to be a democracy. Unless all members of a nation are guaranteed their share of an equal vote or decision-making say, then that system is fundamentally NOT democratic. Any system that denies the right to vote to it's own citizens is anti-democratic, not to mention the basic fact that any nation that can deny voting rights to prisoners will have a vested interest in imprisoning those that disagree with the desires of the ruling class.
Elections should be guaranteed to all, and be made more easily accessible and safe. We shouldn't deny the right to vote for any citizen for any reason, especially not as punishment.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No
@9GMBVD72yrs2Y
Criminals who have done a terrible crime like murder, rape, or pedophilia, etc. They shouldn't be able to vote unless they have been positively cleared and okay to be let out and that they have been to someone like therapy to get help. And after all that maybe they can vote.
@9FMHF6S2yrs2Y
In this country we value liberty, and that all people are created equal. These people, though in prison, are still citizens of the United States, and still must be afforded the civil liberty of being allowed to take part in their nation's politics, and have their say.
@9S9QP5JLibertarian 9mos9MO
All people are redeemable and should have rights restored after they pay restitution. No voting only while incarcerated.
Do you want someone who murdered another human being because they wanted to voting for someone who will be running our country?
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes, but only after completing their sentences and parole/probation
@9GKZF7B 2yrs2Y
Top Disagreement
i think rather they can vote or not is based on how harsh of a crime they do and even if a its a minor crime i think if they have multiple charges ban them from voting for a sum of time
i think rather they can vote or not is based on how harsh of a crime they do and even if a its a minor crime i think if they have multiple charges ban them from voting for a sum of time
@9GMG954Republican2yrs2Y
i do not think they should have the right to vote no matter how harsh the crime is. if they broke laws made in american grounds, then they should not have the right to vote for someone who will be running our country, county, and state. it's not fair that criminals that don't care about laws should have the right to vote
@9GMGC5Y2yrs2Y
Well, I think if the criminal did his/her time and has proven to be a good person, they should be allowed to vote.
@9GNQWMP2yrs2Y
Disfranchisement may be accomplished explicitly by law or implicitly through requirements applied in a discriminatory fashion, through intimidation, or by placing unreasonable requirements on voters for registration or voting
@9RLVFS510mos10MO
The possibility of disfranchisement is exactly why the right to vote should be part of the bill of rights. Inalienable. Whether or not you like the idea of someone like a pedophile voting, reason will prevail, that is called freedom of speech. There is no world in which you can grant the government the power to take away a person's voting rights without creating the risk and opportunity for the government to abuse that power.
@9FRQRH7Republican2yrs2Y
no once a criminals is convicted they should never be allowed to vote . Becasue they are a criminal for life that did somthing wrong in this country.
No, because there should still be a limit on what people can do, if the crime is worse than there should be less the person can do.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes, except for felons convicted of murder or violent crimes
Violence should automatically strip away someone's voting rights, at least for a large amount of time. If a violent criminal could vote, the only thing they'd look for is the candiate's leniency on criminals (meaning they'll probably vote democratic, since most Republicans support the death penalty), as they themselves are a criminal. Also not being able to vote is a valid punishment for violence and lawless behaviour.
@59CBZLK5yrs5Y
Yes, every citizen deserves the right to vote. Felons should be the first to vote as they have a right not to be subject to cruel and unusual punishment. This is also a way to show felons that society has not given up on them. We should try and rehabilitate felons rather than solely incarcerate and punish them.
@MyraMedchan3yrs3Y
When I think of felons I think of hard core sociopaths who would play the system if it meant they could go back and do terrible things again. I wouldn’t expect them to vote responsibly just as I wouldn't expect a person with alsheimers or dementia to vote responsiblly.. not all 'criminals' fall into this category and I agree that rehabilitation would be preferable to incarceration. but some may be so far gone from humanity that rehabilitation may not be viable. And
@9RLVFS510mos10MO
How different would your opinion be if this discussion was not about voting rights, but a right to free speech? If you disagree with somebody's opinion, should the government be given the power to silence it? The first amendment protects all citizens from an abuse of power by the government, and voting should be considered part of free speech.
Maybe some citizens are too senile to make an informed decision when voting, but what entity could ever decide who is *too* senile in all fairness without the possibility of abusing that power? Maybe some criminals do not care about what's bett… Read more
Murderers deserve to die. No questions asked.
@8T4WYSK4yrs4Y
Most Felons actually do have the right to vote after they get out of prison/jail.
@ISIDEWITH8mos8MO
How would it make you feel to lose your right to vote because of a past mistake, even after you’ve served your punishment?
@9WY9N5T6mos6MO
You deserve to get your rights back after you have served your punishment.
@9TNNZ9S8mos8MO
I would be pissed if it was over a parking ticket. but wouldnt be madd if it was cause of murder
@9TNNDFQ8mos8MO
I would feel like i deserve it even after i served my punishment
@9YFGHFZ6mos6MO
I would feel less than. If I have served my time and returned to society why should my vote be stripped as if I don't exist at all?
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
Should the severity or type of crime dictate whether a person loses their right to vote permanently?
@9H9J4P91yr1Y
In a democracy those convicted of a criminal conviction should have the right to vote as long as they are not currently serving a sentance
@9H9J6LGIndependent1yr1Y
Yes, extremely violent or repeat offenders should be disenfranchised.
@9H8DDSS1yr1Y
no. they could become better people or be changed so it shouldnt matter but maybe a mental evaluation might be necessary.
Yes. The type of crime determines the type of person the offender is which helps decide if they should vote or not.
@8ZSLL8Z3yrs3Y
No, and voters should be required to pass a basic test demonstrating their understanding of politics in order to vote
@4STBS9G5yrs5Y
Yes, because there is nothing that a felon could vote on that would hurt the well-being of everyone else. Also, I think that the last thing felons think about while committing a crime is their distain from not being able to vote any more.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
If trust can be rebuilt in personal relationships, should society consider allowing rehabilitated individuals the chance to vote again?
@9H8DY471yr1Y
Yes. If people truly become rehabilitated and are contributing to society, they should be granted the right to vote.
@9H8DDSS1yr1Y
of course! having a history doesnt make them any less capable of having their own voting rights. they should know that they have a choice in what happens to them. people who are experiencing jail should have a say in what happens in it.
@9H8F35J1yr1Y
No. While certain felons deserve a chance to vote again, the complicated process of setting up a system by which they can apply to regain their voting rights is not worth the effort, funding, and potential for corruption that would necessarily be involved.
@9RG7R9K10mos10MO
Yes, especially since “criminality” is a racially inequitable social construct of the European Settler descendants that call themselves “American”.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
Do you feel our democracy is strengthened or weakened when certain groups are excluded from voting?
@9H8H5D41yr1Y
It’s complicated however after a criminal serves the time for their punishment and start paying taxes I think they should be given back their right to vote. As the saying goes “No taxation without representation”
@9H8H735Republican1yr1Y
I think people in jail or prision should not have the right to vote.Because they could just be playing a joke or high. Yes they are still a citizen but they make poor choices.
@9H97BQW1yr1Y
I believe that democracy is weakened when certain groups are excluded from voting. This is because voting is an intrinsic right that all people have the right to d.
I think that they have strengthen because people have started to know who to vote
@9G78NC52yrs2Y
No this is protected by the fifth amendment as the right to life, liberty, and property without due process
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
Can someone truly reintegrate into society if they are continuously denied certain rights, like voting?
@9H8J5ZJ1yr1Y
It depends on the nature of the crime they commited, how long ago, and of they are a repeat offender.
Yes, and they should be able to vote while incarcerated
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
How would you feel if you were not allowed to vote because of a mistake you made in your past?
@9H8F9M81yr1Y
I would be very upset but you chose your own path in life and it’s no one fault but yours
@9H8F6CZ1yr1Y
I believe criminals should be allowed to vote after a certain amount of time. They are still part of the country.
@9H98ZTY1yr1Y
depend on the mistake but its not that important to me at all.
@8N3VQXNRepublican5yrs5Y
Yes because they are still people, my Dad was in prison for getting two people killed in a car accident after drinking. He amazingly survived and was sent to prison for 7 years because he did community service. He had an accident because he was young and dumb and managed to accidentally take the lives of 2 people. That doesn't make him a monster, why would you take someones natural right to vote away over an accident. Drunken driving is no joke but it's not like he would have done it with his own bare hands. Now other crimes have similar to results to this, most that were too extreme wouldn't matter because of the life sentences that were given to the murderers and such. It's very controversial and i'm not even truly sure but I do know that not all convicts are bad.
Yes, and criminals should be able to vote while incarcerated
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
In what ways do you think the inclusion or exclusion of convicted felons in voting affects your community?
@9H997CXProgressive1yr1Y
I feel that many criminals align with Republican views, so the polls would be more biased
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
Can denying the vote to those who have committed crimes be seen as a secondary punishment, and is it a fair one?
@9H8MGKM1yr1Y
Yes, If you commit a violent crime you should not be allowed to vote. Except for assault.
@9D62MN82yrs2Y
Yes, if a convict can run for president, they should also be allowed to vote
@8RPJZS6Libertarian4yrs4Y
@98FCK8Y2yrs2Y
Yes, and people should be able to vote while incarcerated
@daemonkity5yrs5Y
Yes, every US citizen should have the right to vote regardless of their circumstances. One person = one vote.
@B2JRMDK4mos4MO
You lose your voting rights and most rights when you enter prison.
After you leave the prison after completing your sentence or via parole or probation, then you can have the right to vote back.
But then again, actions have consequences, such as losing some rights.
@9VDHHVK7mos7MO
People who are convicted of violent crimes who had actual reason to commit those crimes should be alowd to vote. people convicted and found guilty of rape and hate crimes should not be.
The crime convicted criminals have committed should dictate their right to vote, or not. The judge/jury on the case could also have an input on their future voting rights and it could be decided in trial.
@9PYBLRB10mos10MO
If a convicted felon can run for president then a convicted felon should be able to vote for the president.
@9LTTMNW1yr1Y
criminals should be allowed to vote 15 - 20 years after their latest criminal sentence has been served
@9G67MJ52yrs2Y
The pros and cons of the felon voting debate include arguments about the social contract, voting while in prison, and paying debts.
@9DN859BWomen’s Equality2yrs2Y
It depends on the crimes committed.
@9G67QY82yrs2Y
No, this is protected by the fifth amendment as the right to life, liberty, and property without due process
@9G3DHMG2yrs2Y
No, this issue should be irrelevant. Instead, all convicted criminals should be given the death penalty.
@9D66SGD2yrs2Y
Yes unless sex criminals or murderers
@9D6DZ9R2yrs2Y
Yes however dependent on what crimes they were charged; If charged for any violations of voting rights then they should be denied the right to vote.
Consider a case where a person is convicted for a voting rights violation like voter fraud. Post-sentence, this person might have genuinely reformed and learned the value of honest participation in democratic processes. Shouldn't they have the chance to contribute to society again as a responsible citizen? What do you think about this scenario and do you believe there could be a better way to deal with such cases?
@9FX8RGQRepublican2yrs2Y
Depends on the crime. For Example, high crimes like Murder or identity theft, those criminals should lose the right to vote.
@9CJ6CB62yrs2Y
Not many people actually commit identity theft, and let's be honest, there's no logical reason why that would mean they can't vote. It's not a method of prevention, it's just unnecesary punishment. Voting rights shouldn't be infringed at any point.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
@ISIDEWITH8mos8MO
Do you think it's more beneficial for society to include or exclude people with felony convictions in the voting process?
@ISIDEWITH8mos8MO
If someone has served their time, do you believe they should regain their full rights as a citizen, including voting?
@8YVC9PV3yrs3Y
Not while they’re in jail
@8JCLS2D5yrs5Y
Yes, If they pay taxes they should be able to vote.
@8X54DN9Republican4yrs4Y
No they lost the right to vote but if found innocent then they get the right back.
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