In general I understand the basic premise of “if you cant follow the laws you shouldnt be allowed to chose the people who make the laws.”
But on the other hand, if you feel like you feel like the laws are unfair shouldnt you also be allowed to vote to change the laws?
Depends. Who are they going to vote for?
Clarification needed
If in jail or on probation no.
If free and clear yes
Clarification needed
If in jail or on probation no.
If free and clear yes
Right. People act like this is hard.
Clarification needed
If in jail or on probation no.
If free and clear yes
This, /thread.
just in general where does the concept that a prisoner need to be “reformed” to be able to vote come from?
I think Maine and Vermont allow prisoners to vote. I get the understanding that if you have completely disregarded the law (to be a felon) you have likely done something bad. But as a society arnt these all made up laws? especially when considering that we look into some laws stronger than others. If white collar crime was looked at more closely vs. blue collar, a different set of people would lose their rights to vote.
They should be allowed to vote in and out of jail. All citizens should be allowed to vote.
just in general where does the concept that a prisoner need to be “reformed” to be able to vote come from?
I think Maine and Vermont allow prisoners to vote. I get the understanding that if you have completely disregarded the law (to be a felon) you have likely done something bad. But as a society arnt these all made up laws? especially when considering that we look into some laws stronger than others. If white collar crime was looked at more closely vs. blue collar, a different set of people would lose their rights to vote.
Do you have a point or just writing random shit down?
I was literally asking a question to gather more information on a subject.
They should be allowed to vote in and out of jail. All citizens should be allowed to vote.
Agreed. I don’t think the threat of having your right to vote revoked is a good deterrant, and I can’t see how keeping felons out of the democratic process would improve prisoner reform.
I think it’s the stupid puritan genes in American society that favors punishment. It’s a sick desire for others to suffer for not reaching a standard that society holds.
Clarification needed
If in jail or on probation no.
If free and clear yes
Agreed.
A tough part is the “clear” part for fines owed for some. Don’t do the crime I suppose if you wind up with $100k+ in fines getting out.
Not sure the answer there.
Clarification needed
If in jail or on probation no.
If free and clear yes
Agreed.
A tough part is the “clear” part for fines owed for some. Don’t do the crime I suppose if you wind up with $100k+ in fines getting out.
Not sure the answer there.
Restitution is meh to me regarding voting.
In general I understand the basic premise of “if you cant follow the laws you shouldnt be allowed to chose the people who make the laws.”
But on the other hand, if you feel like you feel like the laws are unfair shouldnt you also be allowed to vote to change the laws?
Yes, once they have served their time.
You need to give people a stake in society for them to care about society. If you take that away forever, the felon has less of a chance at reform.
Clarification needed
If in jail or on probation no.
If free and clear yes
Agreed.
A tough part is the “clear” part for fines owed for some. Don’t do the crime I suppose if you wind up with $100k+ in fines getting out.
Not sure the answer there.
I was thinking of that. We don’t prevent other people with fines, those with judgments against them, etc. to vote. I can foresee some smaller subset of criminals who have restitution to pay for specific things but not all felons.
And it is not like gaining the ability to vote is going to prompt them to cough up the money. All it does is get Bloomberg to come down and throw some coin around.
How many of those people are felons due to socio-economic situations caused by political decisions? Shouldn’t they be given the opportunity to vote for someone who they feel can make a difference in those situations to prevent others from being caught in the same life, and limited to the same life choices?
So yes, felons (in jail, on probation, or time served) should all be allowed to vote. My decision comes after 14 years of law enforcement. Not being able to vote is not a deterrent. Ability to afford a good lawyer (or being in a position to make political donations) should not be a deciding factor in who gets to choose the future of a country.
How many of those people are felons due to socio-economic situations caused by political decisions? Shouldn’t they be given the opportunity to vote for someone who they feel can make a difference in those situations to prevent others from being caught in the same life, and limited to the same life choices?
So yes, felons (in jail, on probation, or time served) should all be allowed to vote. My decision comes after 14 years of law enforcement. Not being able to vote is not a deterrent. Ability to afford a good lawyer (or being in a position to make political donations) should not be a deciding factor in who gets to choose the future of a country.
By definition if you have been convicted of a felony and are in jail you have broken the social compact. Why should they be allowed to vote?
No taxation without representation. Prisoners still have to pay taxes. They should be allowed to vote.
How many of those people are felons due to socio-economic situations caused by political decisions? Shouldn’t they be given the opportunity to vote for someone who they feel can make a difference in those situations to prevent others from being caught in the same life, and limited to the same life choices?
So yes, felons (in jail, on probation, or time served) should all be allowed to vote. My decision comes after 14 years of law enforcement. Not being able to vote is not a deterrent. Ability to afford a good lawyer (or being in a position to make political donations) should not be a deciding factor in who gets to choose the future of a country.
By definition if you have been convicted of a felony and are in jail you have broken the social compact. Why should they be allowed to vote?
Because in many cases, an argument could be made that laws were made specifically targeting certain demographics to put them in jail and keep them from being able to vote. Race, class, gender, all have been targets of politicians in the past, and many of the laws created for those reasons still exist.
No
The convicted felon earned it similar to a dishonorable discharge.
You can still participate in society but the voting aspect is gone.