Disenfranchisement in America
Krista Willike
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Opinion
By Krista Willike
America is known as the land of opportunity and equality. However, disenfranchisement laws tell a different story. Disenfranchisement is "the suppression of the voting rights of those who have been convicted of crimes." Disenfranchisement isolates numerous individuals in America. "Today felons and former felons are the single largest group currently banned by law from voting in the United States."
Maine and Vermont are the only two states that do not have disenfranchisement laws. Disenfranchisement laws vary by allowing felons to have their rights back instantly, after a waiting period, or by writing to their governor. However, there are some states that disenfranchise felons for the rest of their lives.
Supporters of disenfranchisement believe felons do not deserve the right to vote. "Political equality is only for the deserving, not for those who have abandoned their right to political participation by committing serious crimes." Supporters believe that because felons broke the law, they do not deserve voting rights.
Ex-felons do deserve the right to vote. Former inmate Jeannine Carney stated, "If I'm paying taxes, I should be able to vote." Ex-felons have served their time for the crimes they committed and deserve to completely re-integrate into society. These people are out of prison and trying to live normal lives. Voting is a normal activity in which they should be able to participate.
Students at Bellarmine believe felons deserve the right to vote. Junior Robert Vocke states that, "You go to prison for a determined period of time depending on your sentence and if the state deems you ready for society, you should also be able to vote." Junior Kerri Gregory believes felons have changed in jail and deserve to have their voting rights restored.
However, Bellarmine students have mixed feelings about restoring voting rights. Sophomore Blake Thomas believes there should be a five year waiting period. Morgan Brengle, sophomore, disagrees by stating, "If they get out in October, they should be able to vote in the upcoming election."
"Five million people are unable to vote because they have been convicted of a felony." In the upcoming election, America will not have the opportunity to get the votes of all Americans. This is due to the harsh disenfranchisement laws placed on ex-felons.
"The argument that all Americans deserve the basic rights of citizenship, including the right to actively participate in their government with their vote, is a difficult one to oppose." Disenfranchisement laws do nothing but promote inequality. All Americans deserve the right to vote, regardless of their past mistakes.
America is known as the land of opportunity and equality. However, disenfranchisement laws tell a different story. Disenfranchisement is "the suppression of the voting rights of those who have been convicted of crimes." Disenfranchisement isolates numerous individuals in America. "Today felons and former felons are the single largest group currently banned by law from voting in the United States."
Maine and Vermont are the only two states that do not have disenfranchisement laws. Disenfranchisement laws vary by allowing felons to have their rights back instantly, after a waiting period, or by writing to their governor. However, there are some states that disenfranchise felons for the rest of their lives.
Supporters of disenfranchisement believe felons do not deserve the right to vote. "Political equality is only for the deserving, not for those who have abandoned their right to political participation by committing serious crimes." Supporters believe that because felons broke the law, they do not deserve voting rights.
Ex-felons do deserve the right to vote. Former inmate Jeannine Carney stated, "If I'm paying taxes, I should be able to vote." Ex-felons have served their time for the crimes they committed and deserve to completely re-integrate into society. These people are out of prison and trying to live normal lives. Voting is a normal activity in which they should be able to participate.
Students at Bellarmine believe felons deserve the right to vote. Junior Robert Vocke states that, "You go to prison for a determined period of time depending on your sentence and if the state deems you ready for society, you should also be able to vote." Junior Kerri Gregory believes felons have changed in jail and deserve to have their voting rights restored.
However, Bellarmine students have mixed feelings about restoring voting rights. Sophomore Blake Thomas believes there should be a five year waiting period. Morgan Brengle, sophomore, disagrees by stating, "If they get out in October, they should be able to vote in the upcoming election."
"Five million people are unable to vote because they have been convicted of a felony." In the upcoming election, America will not have the opportunity to get the votes of all Americans. This is due to the harsh disenfranchisement laws placed on ex-felons.
"The argument that all Americans deserve the basic rights of citizenship, including the right to actively participate in their government with their vote, is a difficult one to oppose." Disenfranchisement laws do nothing but promote inequality. All Americans deserve the right to vote, regardless of their past mistakes.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Blake Thomas
posted 1/02/09 @ 1:37 PM EST
I helped her write this one.... haha
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