I see the question a bit differently: should voting be considered an inalienable right of citizenship, or a privilege that's granted, conditional on the citizen's behaviour being acceptable to the government?
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Constitutional Rights
- Thread starter esmith
- Start date
Shad
Veteran Member
Voted "Felons who are released from prison should have the right to vote" which includes existing pardon and expunging systems low level felonies. Serial murders are out of luck.
I do not think voting is a right so is not comparable to 2A.
esmith
Veteran Member
Correct. There is no "right to vote" in the Constitution
https://democracyjournal.org/magazine/28/the-missing-right-a-constitutional-right-to-vote/
I have no opinion.
I am not concerned with the right (or lack thereof) of felons voting when this country is in need of serious election reform in general. Until representatives are actually representative, the change would mean very little in practice.
I am not concerned with the right (or lack thereof) of felons voting when this country is in need of serious election reform in general. Until representatives are actually representative, the change would mean very little in practice.
When responding to the poll, keep in mind some of the things that are considered "felonies" in various parts of the US:
- drug posession
- vandalism
- driving with a suspended license
- counterfeiting trademarked good
- "promoting gambling"
- posessing a firearm on the grounds of a state college
- drug posession
- vandalism
- driving with a suspended license
- counterfeiting trademarked good
- "promoting gambling"
- posessing a firearm on the grounds of a state college
Shad
Veteran Member
Not merely in the Constitution. I mean I do not think it is a right in general. Change think for believe if that makes more sense.
Shad
Veteran Member
Yup that is why I mentioned review systems. A serial murder vs a felon for possession of 2 grams of weed.
I say it's a right but like all rights it's not absolute.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
I think that would depend on the crime(s) they were convicted of. That said, you're comparing apples to oranges.
esmith
Veteran Member
Explain your reasoning on both statements please.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
First explain your reasoning in trying to draw a parallel between someone with a history of violence having access to a weapon and voting.
esmith
Veteran Member
Well since the Constitution does not regard voting as a right then I guess there isn't one.
Augustus
…
The problem with allowing people in prison to vote is that if you have 5000 inmates in a voting district this could swing an election against the preferences of the local residents.
After they are released they should regain the right to vote though as their punishment has been served so they should regain their full rights rather than permanently becoming 2nd class citizens.
After they are released they should regain the right to vote though as their punishment has been served so they should regain their full rights rather than permanently becoming 2nd class citizens.
tytlyf
Not Religious
The rudderless ship strikes again. Can you be more transparent?
I begin to get the impression that you possibly don't think much of me.
That's nice.
tytlyf
Not Religious
You're an employee here and you intentionally post vaguely. An honorable person would take a position instead of trying to deceive.
Employee?
No, I am but a lowly poster here.
I did consider buying the forum when it was up for sale a year or 2 ago.
But that would make me your lord & master.
Count your blessings that I passed up the opportunity.
Kangaroo Feathers
Yea, it is written in the Book of Cyril...
No no! It was a super clever gotcha that totally pwns the libs! And also I don't know what false dichotomy or false equivalence is.
In Canada, prisoners' votes go to the district/riding where they were living immediately before they were imprisoned, so that's one way to solve that problem.
Augustus
…
Do you know what happens to those of 'no fixed abode'?