Felon Voting

            Hi Bloggers! As November nears and the political race intensifies, I would like to look at an often overlook issue: felon voting.  Whether a felon can vote or not depends on the laws that the state sets.  These laws vary widely on how felons lose their voting rights and how states restore them. This becomes a problem when you enter a federal election where some felons can vote and some can't.  The rules vary by state and can be completely irrational.

                In Mississippi, 22 categories of felon crime result in the loss of voting rights, also known as disenfranchisement.  Timber larceny is one that is on the list.  Manslaughter is not on the list.  Felons who steel wood can't vote in a federal election while those who commit manslaughter are able to vote.  In order to receive your voting rights back, you must apply and the application must be 2/3 approved by both houses and signed by the governor.  This is a ridiculous application that can take over a decade to approve and grant people their rights back.  Many felons look to put their past behind them when they come out of prison.  Voting rights is one way that they can feel like part of the society again.  We are just stripping away their ability to re-join society. 

                There are many states where felons are very easily able to vote.  This can create another problem.  Those you are repeat offenders might vote for someone who would legalize a substance  or de-criminalize to gain their vote.  These are all considerations that should be taken into account.  I strongly believe that this power of choosing what felons can vote and what felons can't should be taken from the states and given to the federal government.  This would allow for a unitary law and prevent discrimination of felons in certain states. 

                Making the process difficult and prevent over 2 million Americans out of prison from voting is ridiculous. If I had to write the law, I would grant all felons who are out of prison, the right to vote.  Probation doesn’t count as being out of prison.  Once you are free from the system, you should gain your right as a citizen to vote.  If however, you are charged with a second felony, when you get out, you must file an application to gain your voting rights back.  This punishes those who are repeat offenders of the system and makes it harder for them to have a political influence in our government.  That would be my broad outline for the law.    Everyone, who isn’t a repeat offender, should have a voice in the government if they have paid their time and debt to society.

                How would you address the issue of felon voting?  Would you keep the power with the states or give it to the federal government?

(475)