Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

In Just Two States, All Prisoners Can Vote. Here's Why Few Do.
The Marshall Project ^ | June 11, 2019 | Nicole Lewis

Posted on 09/20/2019 12:41:45 PM PDT by Norski

"When Sen. Bernie Sanders championed voting rights for prisoners during a CNN town hall, he spotlighted an intensifying national debate about why going to prison means losing the right to vote.

In only two states, Maine and Vermont, all prisoners are eligible to vote. However, some prisoners in Mississippi, Alaska and Alabama can vote while incarcerated, depending on their convictions. Sanders is the sole presidential candidate to support the idea of prisoners voting, regardless of their crimes. His stance may reflect the reality that his home state of Vermont, and its neighbor Maine, have long-established procedures, and general public acceptance, of people voting from behind bars. This story was published in partnership with Mother Jones.

The idea is percolating in other states, however. In June, six of the 13 councilmembers in Washington, D.C. endorsed legislation that would let the city’s prisoners vote. Legislators in Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Mexico and Virginia introduced measures to allow prisoners to vote earlier this year. None succeeded, but several others states are making it easier for people to vote once they leave prison. In May, Nevada’s governor signed a bill that automatically restores voting rights for parolees. And, last year, voters in Florida re-enfranchised nearly 1.5 million residents with felony convictions while Louisiana restored voting rights for nearly 36,000 people convicted of felonies. Lawmakers are still considering similar proposals in Connecticut, New Jersey and Nebraska. "

(Excerpt) Read more at themarshallproject.org ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: felony; prison; vote
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last
I was unaware any prisoners anywhere in the US had the right to vote.

Please do read the entire article before comment, as a declaration of intent by those seeking to destroy. See below comment for another interesting item.

1 posted on 09/20/2019 12:41:45 PM PDT by Norski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Norski

“. . . Because their votes are counted along with other absentee ballots, election officials in Maine and Vermont do not specifically tally how many incarcerated people vote. “


I suggest that there is a law of intended consequences acting here.


2 posted on 09/20/2019 12:42:47 PM PDT by Norski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Norski

If prisoners are allowed to vote, I hope they have access to resources to educate themselves about the candidates and platforms.


3 posted on 09/20/2019 12:45:12 PM PDT by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Norski

I do understand that the source is not a conservative site, or is at best mixed.

This article, however, is important for the information provided, especially as it is a declaration of intent.

Thank you, Norski


4 posted on 09/20/2019 12:46:03 PM PDT by Norski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Norski

The filthy RATs think the cons will vote Dem. However actual surveys show that they don’t. Most don’t vote at all. Of those who do the votes aren’t particularly different from the general population. But as we know RATs are incapable of learning.


5 posted on 09/20/2019 12:48:07 PM PDT by Seruzawa (TANSTAAFL!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DannyTN

There is an article at the source regarding the restoration of voting rights to ex-prisoners in Tennessee dated today.


6 posted on 09/20/2019 12:50:09 PM PDT by Norski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Norski

Most states restore voting rights to ex-felons:

http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/felon-voting-rights.aspx


7 posted on 09/20/2019 12:53:25 PM PDT by jjotto (Next week, BOOM!, for sure!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Seruzawa

Regarding my post #2, I had in mind the type of voter fraud similar to the “cemetery ballot”.


8 posted on 09/20/2019 12:53:44 PM PDT by Norski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: jjotto

My concern is the hijacking of absentee ballots of prisoners allowed to vote while incarcerated.


9 posted on 09/20/2019 12:55:06 PM PDT by Norski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Norski

I have a feeling it is not whether ‘Joe X’ votes or not, the real deal is get ‘Joe X’ on the rolls and ‘Jim J’ can be brought in from another state to play ‘Joe X’.

Probably a little out of line for the prisoners etc but I am convinced that is all Motor Voter accomplishes, gives someone with time and a little get up and go (and good money) to nurture votes out of names, on the mail ins and early voter etc...

There is a reason why we are in a society where in order to go listen to XXXXX go speak, go to a book signing, draw unemployment, draw food stamps, welfare in general etc etc ALL need an ID to participate.

YET, the same people that ‘sell’ all of the above and require IDs, say it is racial to make one show an ID to vote.

STAND BY FOR A RAM!!!!!

BOHICA!!!!!
(BEND OVER, HERE IT COMES AGAIN)


10 posted on 09/20/2019 12:55:32 PM PDT by xrmusn (6/98"HRC is cast as the Grandmother that lures Hansel & Gretel to the pot")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DannyTN

“If prisoners are allowed to vote, I hope they have access to resources to educate themselves about the candidates and platforms.”

Not a problem. I am sure they have CNN and MSNBC.


11 posted on 09/20/2019 12:55:45 PM PDT by TexasGator (Z1z)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Norski

That’s a wise concern.


12 posted on 09/20/2019 12:56:08 PM PDT by jjotto (Next week, BOOM!, for sure!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: xrmusn

Oppose. Early and often.


13 posted on 09/20/2019 1:00:45 PM PDT by Norski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: xrmusn; Norski

Add to #10

Also, why ‘they’ hate to purge voter rolls to remove the dead and moved people...

ALL they want is the name on the rolls, then creative bookkeeping will take care of the rest.

I remember ‘joking’ years ago about the New York retirees to Florida were voting in both states for ALL elections, in effect, giving them 2 LEGAL votes for President....(at least legal on paper if no one cross checks)


14 posted on 09/20/2019 1:01:11 PM PDT by xrmusn (6/98"HRC is cast as the Grandmother that lures Hansel & Gretel to the pot")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

Felony disenfranchisement in the United States

Details - States and their various voting rights laws......

15 posted on 09/20/2019 1:01:23 PM PDT by deport
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

Felons should not be allowed to vote. Ever. Too bloody bad.

Women should not be allowed to vote (says my wife). People who have taken welfare should not be allowed to vote for 20 years.

The founders never intended for everyone to be able to vote - for good reason. I would be happy if it was restricted to tax paying, non-felon, males 35-65 who have not been on any kind of dole.

Everything would immediately and drastically shift to the right.


16 posted on 09/20/2019 1:03:28 PM PDT by TheTimeOfMan (The Eloi unexpectedly protected the Morlocks from rogue Eloi as they themselves prepared to be eaten)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Norski
The corrections departments don’t track literacy rates among prisoners, but in Vermont officials estimate nearly 20 percent of inmates entered prison with less than a high school education. Some studies estimate nearly 60 percent of people in prison are illiterate.

I do not consider myself a genius by any stretch of the imagination, but was reading books and newspapers avidly by the time I was in 4th grade. So were a good share of my peers.

I simply cannot understand how 80% of the jailbirds in Vermont graduated from high school and how 60% can be illiterate. Have the quality of schools fallen that far since I was a pup?

17 posted on 09/20/2019 1:04:44 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (The politicized state destroys aspects of civil society, human kindness and private charity.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TheTimeOfMan

Don’t forget that they should be property owners.

” . . .A republic, if you can keep it.”


18 posted on 09/20/2019 1:05:48 PM PDT by Norski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Vigilanteman

I do not know. Perhaps some research could be done and posted.


19 posted on 09/20/2019 1:08:08 PM PDT by Norski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: TheTimeOfMan

No taxation without representation


20 posted on 09/20/2019 1:08:44 PM PDT by FewsOrange
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson