Posted on 06/16/2010 12:22:11 PM PDT by WilliamIII
Every state in the country except two - Maine and Vermont - prohibits at least some felons from voting. In January, a panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals held that the state of Washington is violating the federal Voting Rights Act by disenfranchising felons.
Now the full 9th Circuit has decided to hear the case, Farrakhan v. Gregoire.
The case has implications for all nine states within the 9th Circuit's jurisdiction, including California. Every other federal court of appeals so far has ruled against using the Voting Rights Act to give felons the right to vote.
The 9th Circuit should join them.
(Excerpt) Read more at juneauempire.com ...
Farrakhan is a felon?..............
I would like to see where if you do not pay income taxes, you do not get to vote. If you work for state government, you may not vote in state elections, if you work for federal government you do not get to vote in federal elections...we have to stop this corruption of buying votes by the democrat party...
Yeah but . . . wait . . . illegal aliens, felons, and and dead people will be voting as democrats in the next election . . . they can’t win without these votes . . . stay tuned . . .
Main and Vermont are the only states that allow incarcerated people to vote. The rest of the states have various laws.
I’m a felon (drunk driving) and I’m a legal voter here in Michigan. Voting rights are restored here as long as a person isn’t incarcerated, on parole or probation.
Whoa... Getting felons the right to vote has been a major Democrat priority for decades.
The 9th Circus is very rat/goofball friendly, so I hope they rule quickly and allow this issue to get before the Supreme Court where there is still a majority of normal human beings (barely).
In Oregon Felons can Vote.
We have vote by Mail.
Felons are also expected to do Jury Duty although they are assigned to civil cases.
I don’t know if the VRA is the correct tool, but people who’ve “paid their dues to society” have paid them. If they’re off parole, LET THEM VOTE and allow them to rejoin society as full participants.
Unless, of course, we prefer to create a permanant under-class of (nominal) citizens.
Sure as soon as you eliminate plea bargins and early release.
One might consider that part of their "dues to society" include losing the right to vote.
One shouldn't do the crime if they can't do the time.
Plea bargains are part of the game.
Good luck getting a functional court system without them.
Early release is also legal. Considering that the vast majority of felonies are non-violent, I’ll accept this as a valid tool, as well. Without it, you have ZERO incentive for the inmate.
I don’t.
If a person is so dangerous that they can’t even be trusted to vote, why were they released?
Again, creating a permanant under-class is not a workable option. Proven.
Then people Have not paid their debt in full....No vote.
The liberals that are pushing this might get more than they bargined for. Using their same logic the government shouldn’t be able to deny felons the right to own guns.
“If a person is so dangerous that they can’t even be trusted to vote, why were they released?”
Libtards....next question.
Why not?
At sentencing, “early release”, “time off” and “plea bargains” are all part of the legal, known deal. Nothing new is added to the mix. It’s sort of like a termination clause or an “out” in a contract.
Now, I may disagree with how “early release” and the rest are administered, but I don’t doubt that they exist.
So, a vote is a dangerous thing?
Mighty slippery slope, there.
Same for here in Iowa. Culver signed this by exec order and didn’t allow a vote to make it law. I hope this gets thrown out all over the land. If you break the law and are a felon then you lose your right to vote. Period.
Felons should be allowed to vote or own arms until the demonstrate that they’re ready for the responsibility. Jail time is PUNISHMENT. It isn’t “paying your dues.”
The time to consider the entire punishment, including jail time, fines and penalties, parole, and the loss of rights would be BEFORE one commits the crime, not after. If you're concerned about felons losing the right to vote AS PART OF THEIR PUNISHMENT, then avoid becoming a felon.
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