Voting is not a privilege. It’s a right. But one group of citizens has been long denied that right in parts of the country.
In half the states, including California, people convicted of felonies who have served their time in prison re-enter their communities with the right to vote automatically and immediately restored. In Vermont, Maine and the District of Columbia, people retain their right to vote even when incarcerated.
But the other 25 states have at least some temporary voting restrictions on people formerly incarcerated on felony convictions. In 10 of those states, people convicted of certain crimes, such as murder and rape, are prohibited from voting permanently, unless in most cases the governor pardons them.
Your single vote will not change your life circumstance
Dissent is more patriotic than voting. The politicians are twisted and warped to the point of being comical. You are no longer voting for someone that “represents” your regional interests, you’re voting for bad faith actors obsessed with power and social climbing. So, being “denied” to vote is water off a duck’s back to me. I’m far, FAR more concerned with being DENIED autonomy, agency and dominion over my likeness and image as it’s being used to promote a false narrative based on fear, ignorance and hate not facts, logic or reason.
So you see, a felony conviction should not come with a life sentence of being scapegoated for hollow public safety rhetoric.
I am going to politely disagree with @Facts here on a couple points, but respect their opinion on what they wrote as there are points within it that are very valid and well written.
Your single vote could change yours and other’s life circumstances as it can by the vote of those around you. So, vote, I say, vote, however you want. As one who wore the uniform so you could vote, vote. I don’t care how you vote, just do it because many other global places don’t. Heck, just vote on one local measure only if you want on a ballot full of other issues needing to be voted upon. You don’t have to vote for all of those races and issues printed on the ballot.
Dissenting by not voting is still voting regardless if a ballot is not cast, just like not saying anything is still saying something (as courts have said when the 5th Amendment has been invoked). Silence speaks volumes.
History in this country of holding back the right to vote as a punishment is long noted and challenged legally. The article notes that, but one can and should look up online the history of it and how far back it goes as well as why it is. You did your time, paid your fine, closed the chapter on the matter, work within the system still today towards closure, you should be able to vote regardless, while leaving you the ability to exercise it as you wish.
Just like sex offenses shouldn’t have a lifetime of restrictions: residency, presence, email/internet identifiers, compliance checks, registration, letting the government know of your travel, and other rights lost. After one finishes their sentence the government needs to leave them alone.
Well, The article starts by saying that Voting is a right not a priviledge. Well, so is the right to firearms. Yet they also take the ability to defend one’s life, family, and property away. I don’t find it unusual that this happens. George Carlin famously said that you only have the rights “they” say you can have. If you need proof just refer to the Japanese internment camps of WW2. Where native born Japanese-American citizens had every single right taken away.
I’m sorry to say but this is the reality of freedom. It takes blood to keep it. This is because of human ambition. People have to continue to fight even to death to stop dictatorial tyrants. Only now technology has outpaced the average citizen. Government tech is so much more superior that it would be a costly battle indeed to truly implement the many freedoms that have been stripped already. First, Second, Fourth, Fifth amendments etc.
The fact that you have anyone in power who sides with what is right, is really amazing. But it’s a drop in the bucket and it takes lifetimes to fill it.
While I don’t want to be a negative Nancy, I consider myself a realist. I believe felons should have every right restored to them after they have sacrificed years of their lives to the penitentiary system. Once the court says you are allowed back in the populace it should come with no strings attached.
Just my thoughts on the whole restoration of rights issue.
Interestingly enough, the president of this country clapped back at the supreme court because of their ruling in a case stemming from redistricting of South Carolina. He mentioned about the sacredness of democracy and the right to vote to which him and the vice president are committed to protecting. Interestingly, he didn’t caveat that by saying anybody with a felony convection in certain states did not enjoy that same right. I wonder if he’s aware of how many people are disenfranchised from voting as he espouses this?
I stopped voting over 30 yrs ago. Realized it was like getting one of those discount codes on line. They make you think you are getting something when in fact you don’t. Politicians only listen during election yrs. , and even then the only voice they hear is the one that’s attached to a big donation. If there were zero laws , how much would actually change. Good people would continue to be good and bad people would continue to be bad. People break laws every day and very little happens.
Also, the old adage “if you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain” is another false premise built on nonsense. You can vote for the best candidate you think is fit for the job and he/she will turn right around and introduce a new sex crime bill with sponsors and gratuitous pens being handed out at the bill-signing “ceremony.” Vote or don’t vote. Either way, in bad conscience you shot yourself in the foot. You can still be patriotic and not participate in the electoral process. Voting while hoping for change is blind pacifism.
That “I voted” sticker people wear on their shirts is just a form of a participation trophy. Yes, you voted. Keep smiling the rest of the day and your head up. That’s nice in theory and all, but that sticker will eventually fall off your shirt , or be removed at the end of the day, but your problems with the registry will still remain in the morning.
Voting will not change the fact that you’re held hostage in the court of public opinion.
Well I find it plain stupid to restrict anyone from the right to vote after all a convicted felon can run for state and federal offices including a Bid for the president of the United States! Even if they are still serving their time!