Should Felons Who Have Completed Their Sentence be Allowed to Vote? (felonies, states)

[Mtnluver8956]

I think so.

[No_Recess]

Considering the average person they may be voting for has committed 100X more felonies than the potential voter...sure.

[PCALMike]

Yes, the rest of the country should follow Maine and Vermont. Felons can always vote there, incarcerated or not.

[jimj]

Why not given that you've paid your debt to society as the law requires. Once off parole,probation you should have say over who controls your life...

[Delahanty]

Originally Posted by PCALMike

Yes, the rest of the country should follow Maine and Vermont. Felons can always vote there, incarcerated or not.

The question wasn't whether incarcerated felons should vote--although it gives you an opportunity to opine on how they shouldn't lose this most fundamental of rights (or, presumably, the right to run for office while incarcerated, which VT also allows).

As for me, I believe that convicted felons should have their voting rights restored upon release, and after completing parole or probation.

[trlhiker]

Many states already allow felons who have completed their sentences to vote.

[trobesmom]

Originally Posted by trlhiker

Many states already allow felons who have completed their sentences to vote.

Only three states don't allow it. And murderers and sexual predators don't get to vote.

[Frostnip]

If they're still in expected to pay taxes, respond to the draft, and the like, absolutely.

[southwest88]

Originally Posted by trlhiker

Many states already allow felons who have completed their sentences to vote.

In most states the restoration of the franchise is automatic, but it varies on when exactly the vote is restored (see map @ the URL below). In a handful of states, the former felon has to petition for the return of the franchise, & it's not automatically granted. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony..._United_States - there's a discussion of the various measures required in the US, & a map.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by PCALMike

Yes, the rest of the country should follow Maine and Vermont. Felons can always vote there, incarcerated or not.

Agreed to a certain extent. Incarcerated murderers, violent rapists, gang members, and pedos should not vote, but I have no problem with other prisoners voting.