Should felons be allowed to vote? Essay
Should felons be allowed to vote?
A Felon: A person who has been convicted of a felony, which is a crime punishable by death or a term in state or federal prison. A felony is a serious crime usually punishable by whole-life imprisonment or capital punishment. In other words a felony is a big deal. Felons have been convicted of a crime including, or in the same category as murder, rape, arson, and burglary. It is because of this that many believe that felons do not deserve the right to vote.
Those against felons voting believe that those convicted of crime have shown bad-judgment, which proves them unfit to make good decisions, especially choosing the nation’s leaders. However, there are also those that believe that felons have paid enough of a price by serving their assigned sentence. One of the major questions in this controversy is what exactly are the rights of ex-felons? Many of the supporters of a felon’s right to vote believe that it is unfair to seemingly punish them twice for the same act.
“Felons who are out of prison have largely served the punishment prescribed by the judicial system. Shouldn’t that be enough? ” They believe that incarceration and losing their right to vote would be too many punishments for one crime. Other arguments of the advocates to the voting rights of felons include the data from a study suggesting that former offenders who vote are less likely to return to jail. The claim that voting is a basic and unalienable right has no substance for an argument.
The declaration of Independence states that unalienable rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Committing a serious crime usually depicts an image of bad judgment. By breaking the law and using bad judgment, they have also proven themselves unfit to participate in major decision making, Other suggested solutions include the general banning of a felons right to vote once they are convicted, with the option to petition for reinstatement after a certain number of years. “The decision to restore the right to vote should not be made automatically.
It should be made carefully, weighing the seriousness of the crime, how long ago it was committed, whether there is a pattern of crime, and any evidence that the felon has really turned over a new leaf. ” This idea seems to be the most satisfying conclusion for both sides and could work well to give those who deserve it their right to vote. Although advocates against the disenfranchisement of felons have made some good points, there is not enough evidence to hold up the argument that it is wrong to take away the right to vote from felons.
Felons for the most part have displayed actions of bad judgment would make many uncomfortable at the thought of the tainting of the election. The election of the president is too serious of a matter to allow irresponsible ex-felons the privilege of voting. However, all things considered, more should be discussed about the compromise of felons voting. The idea of reinstatement of those that are ruled to deserve it would be beneficial to those of both parties.