States Restoring Voting Rights of Convicted Felons - New England Patriots Forums

***IcyPatriot*** · 09-14-2008, 01:30 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us...=1&oref=slogin

Quote:

Felony disenfranchisement — often a holdover from exclusionary Jim Crow-era laws like poll taxes and ballot box literacy tests — affects about 5.3 million former and current felons in the United States, according to voting rights groups. But voter registration and advocacy groups say that recent overhauls of these Reconstruction-era laws have loosened enough in some states to make it worth the time to lobby statehouses for more liberal voting restoration processes, and to try to track down former felons in indigent neighborhoods.

Quote:

Muslima Lewis, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union in Florida, said: “Really, you’re not having a full participatory democracy if you disenfranchise so many people. It weakens the whole system and, in particular, communities of color.”

I (reluctantly) think their voting rights should be restored. Kind of hard for someone to reform themselves if they are not a part of society. Many ex-cons were stupid young people who have since matured and that's another reason I think they should have them restored.

I said reluctantly because I am not sure muderers and those convicted of crimes against children deserve this right restored ...Florida's model below seems fair.

Quote:

Florida’s felony voter registration law divides applicants into three categories based on the seriousness of their crimes: nonviolent criminals, the biggest group, need not apply for restoration of voting rights and just need to re-register. Violent criminals, but not murderers or rapists, must apply to the clemency board. The board either grants those rights immediately or investigates on a case-by-case basis. The most violent criminals are subjected to a more rigorous investigation and must attend a hearing of the clemency board, which meets only four times a year, before their rights can be reinstated.

Opinions?

***Harry Boy*** · 09-14-2008, 02:09 PM

Most felons are all democrats this is why
They hate law and order
They only pray and talk about Jesus when they're locked up
99% of them are racist
They are all "Anti Gun" for law abiding citizens, they don't want you to have a gun because you might shoot them while they are trying to rape your daughter.
They love all perverts except pedophiles.
Freedom to a felon is doing away with all Police.

Democrats want them to vote, because they know that most all undesireable people automatically vote Democrat.

GOD DAMN AMERICA (obooma preacher)

MrSparkle · 09-14-2008, 10:50 PM

When I first read your post FBN, I was of the opinion that no, they should never be allowed vote again. You do the crime, you accept the repercussions.

Thinking about it more I do like the FL model. All things being equal, even if like Harry says and they do vote Dem...so be it. Won't effect this election anyway and maybe the dems will put up a candidate I can vote for in the future. This ultra left, rock star preacher I cannot.

***DarrylS*** · 09-15-2008, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Boy

Most felons are all democrats this is why
They hate law and order
Freedom to a felon is doing away with all Police.

Democrats want them to vote, because they know that most all undesireable people automatically vote Democrat.

Except for the crooked Republican Politicians... they seem to have a corner on felonies... they fit right in with the racist scenario you present.. time to take up a collection for chapstick and kneepads.. somehow they have the opportunity to vote early and often.

***DarrylS*** · 09-15-2008, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F.B.N.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us...=1&oref=slogin
I said reluctantly because I am not sure muderers and those convicted of crimes against children deserve this right restored ...Florida's model below seems fair.
Opinions?

Anything with Humans involved in decision making is not going to be fair and probably will be expensive, maybe a simple matrix that can be applied to ex felons might be easier.. the more government becomes involved the worse it is.. by categorizing each offense by levels and then each level would allow whether or not you vote based on the level.. would be lots of bugs to work out, but another panel in Gov't is a recipe for disaster.

Real World · 09-15-2008, 09:12 AM

I'd say restoration being contingent to the level of felony is appropriate. I'd be tough though. Any repeat offenders of any kind would be automatically barred from voting for life.

PatsFanInEaglesLand · 09-15-2008, 09:26 AM

As long as you are done with Probation/Parole I don't see why not, considering a % of convicted felons are probably cleaner than a lot of politicians.

There is a murderer in the senate, but someone who might of made a mistake can't vote.

No sex offenders or people on house arrest.

***PATSNUTme*** · 09-15-2008, 09:45 AM

How do politicians pander to the felon vote?