Confusing Rules Deny Vote to Ex-Felons, Study Says

NY Times ^ | February 20, 2005 | ERIC LICHTBLAU

[neverdem]

For arguments sake, lets exclude felons who committed crimes that involved violence or the threat of violence. With respect to the right of self defense, do you think these folks would be advocating the restoration of a person's second amendment rights after they served their sentence? What's more important, the right to vote or the right to self defense?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Confusing Rules Deny Vote to Ex-Felons

Cry me a flippin' river.

[CSM]

"The Sentencing Project said its study was the first to survey how frequently felons were denied voting rights in states with restrictive policies. It examined 14 states that do not automatically restore voting rights to felons after they complete their sentences. Those states are Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming."

Ping.

[Fenris6]

RTBA is more important - inalienable right. But I think felons should lose voting rights permanently.

[CSM]

"With respect to the right of self defense, do you think these folks would be advocating the restoration of a person's second amendment rights after they served their sentence?"

Yes. Their RKBA rights should be restored.

[Puppage]

Confusing Rules Deny Vote to Ex-Felons

No, the LAW denies that.

From a time when people actual valued the right to vote, when to lose that right was tantamount to being imprisoned.

[CSM]

"But I think felons should lose voting rights permanently."

Why?

[neverdem]

Did you read the story before you made your comment?

[Cyclopean Squid]

Right on the heels of Shrillary's call to allow felons to vote, the NY Slimes launches its supporting operation.

[Fenris6]

But I think felons should lose voting rights permanently.

Why?

Convicted felons shouldn't have a voice in America's future.

[CatoRenasci]

That's simple: commission of a felony demonstrates that one does not have the maturity or the respect for the rules of society necessary to be making decisions about the direction of society.

[NEBO]

I was against letting ex-felons vote until I heard from a gal who was put in prison for meth when she was 17. She served her time and has been clean for many years. I think people like that SHOULD be allowed to vote. Plus in some states it is already allowed.

[NEBO]

Someone said on the radio last week that impeached ex-presidents should not be allowed to vote! LOL

[mewzilla]

Ah, but who did the study? The Sentencing Project...

www.sentencingproject.org

Gee, they're a not-for-profit, too. Donations are tax-deductible. Wonder where they get their money? And how apolitical they really are...

[CatoRenasci]

I was against letting ex-felons vote until I heard from a gal who was put in prison for meth when she was 17. She served her time and has been clean for many years. I think people like that SHOULD be allowed to vote. Plus in some states it is already allowed.

As I learned in law school, hard cases make bad law.

While there may be some cases such as the one you cite, where the restoration of voting rights might make sense, that does not mean that all freed felons should be able to vote.

Loss of civil rights (voting, bearing arms, etc.) should be the rule for felons, restoration should be the exception in exceptional circumstances.

[Freebird Forever]

14 states that do not automatically restore voting rights to felons after they complete their sentences....Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.

The real question is, "what does hillary have to gain by running roughshod over the rights of these sovereign states?"

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Did you read the story before you made your comment?

Ok, you got me. But now that I've read it, I'll stick by my point - I'm not sorry felons might have a tough time getting the right to vote. My comment was addressed toward the felons, not toward you.

[mr2trucker]

What does it say about the Dems if they think letting criminals vote will help their chances to win?

[mr2trucker]

What does it say about the Dems if they think letting criminals vote will help their chances to win?

[cripplecreek]

I am a former felon and a legally registered voter AND a conservative.


Those of us who get straight and stay straight, do so because we become conservative in my opinion. Anyone who is a felon and isn't cleaning up thier act isn't worried about voting. I know I wasn't. I would never allow voting for people who are incarcerated, on parole or probation.