Once a convict has done their time and/or probation or parole and is staying out of trouble and contributing to society by working and paying their taxes, they should be able to vote. That is my opinion of course. What do you think?

If currently incarcerated felons can vote, why not ex-felons?

No. They committed a felony. They cannot vote, they cannot own a fire arm, they cannot do a lot of things. That is one of the deterrents to keep people from committing a felony. That's part of the punishment. If they want to vote, don't get slapped with a felony.

If you want to give that privilege back to them, then let's let them buy a gun if they want. Heck, let's just drop the charge to something lesser.

GrayWolf wrote:

Once a convict has done their time and/or probation or parole and is staying out of trouble and contributing to society by working and paying their taxes, they should be able to vote. That is my opinion of course. What do you think?

Yes, past convictions should not affect the future lives of people who have completed their adjudicated time. Unless of course we wish to remove all pretense that our judicial system is not one of reform at all but merely one of punishment forever.

I really can't see WHY they shouldn't be allowed to vote.

Forgiveness_Man wrote:

If currently incarcerated felons can vote, why not ex-felons?

Shit, it's getting colder again!

I don't think a currently incarcerated felon should be able to vote....but if a felons is released from prison, then I don't see why not. If you gonna let them walk, then you may as well let them vote too.

I want clarify that I don't think inmates should be allowed to vote but once they are released and are no longer on parole then they should at least have that right restored.

The point of prison is to punish. When time has been served I don't see what is gained by continuing to punish people after release. If they're expected to become upstanding law abiding members of the community there's no reason for them to be denied the same rights & privileges as everyone else. I'm not a psychologist but it seems that would only instill an anger or bitterness in someone. That would probably be more likely to encourage them to repeat the behavior that got them incarcerated in the first place. If people are treated as if they are subhuman you can't expect them to act civilized. A debt paid is a debt paid. It's wrong to keep collecting.

I believe once a felon has paid the debt he owes to society he is free of all constraints. If it is felt he has not paid his debt, he should never have been released in the first place. I also believe ALL of the rights he forfeited should be returned, including the right to bear arms.

femme fatale wrote:

No. They committed a felony. They cannot vote, they cannot own a fire arm, they cannot do a lot of things. That is one of the deterrents to keep people from committing a felony. That's part of the punishment. If they want to vote, don't get slapped with a felony.

If you want to give that privilege back to them, then let's let them buy a gun if they want. Heck, let's just drop the charge to something lesser.

I agree with this. Even if they are released from prison and given the chance to start all over, I think being convicted of a felony should have some kind of lingering affect.

I don't understand why ex-felons shouldn't be allowed to regain full access to it. Agree with the others that say if they are released then their previous rights should be restored, even the one to vote.