Comments on: Proposal Would Restore Felons’ Voting Rights

By: dman

dman — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 21:13:08 +0000

@Kate-
England before the middle ages? Since when are we placing these people in stocks, or in rat infested dungeons…or worse yet, chopping off body parts? Please stay rooted in reality.

Anyway, yes this would be a boon for one party- the Democrats. Do I think that reformed felons should have a chance to vote again? Sure. Let them prove it first though. It definitely should not be automatic.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 19:59:41 +0000

REGARDING:
“Taxation without representation. If someone cannot vote legally they cannot be taxed because they have no voice in the government i.e they can cast no vote. This was one of the foundations this great nation was built on.”

Fun to say but false.

Nothing in our law ties the right to vote with taxation. People below voting age pay taxes. People living in Florida but working in Alabama pay Alabama taxes. Nat Showalter pays income taxes wherever he goes with the Orioles but doesn’t get to vote in every state. Snowbirds pay property taxes and sales taxes in Florida but only get to vote in their official residence state, county, city.

What would be fun would be if everybody could vote wherever they paid taxes and proportional to the amount paid. (Who would want a Canadian who bought a pack of gum to vote in Century elections with an equal vote to those who paid thousands in taxes and live there?)

By rights, though, money received SHOULD be deducted from taxes paid and many convicted felons never pay anywhere near what they cost society.

David for justice

By: No Excuses

No Excuses — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 15:08:04 +0000

I know of ex-felons who have had their voting rights restored, so it can be done. I say, if an ex-felon WANTS to vote, then let them go through the process to get their rights restored. If they want it, they will do it. The simple truth is that most folks don’t vote, and certainly most folks who end up in jail for violent crimes don’t either, so the whole thing is probably a moot point anyway.

I vote and I agree that if felons have completed their obligation to society, then they should have the opportunity to vote as well. However, just like anyone else, they need to take care of the requirements to vote – the extra steps are simply a consequence of breaking the law to start with. No free passes!

By: mick

mick — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 13:41:53 +0000

As a reward for voting, lets put them on the fast track to being good citizens by moving them to the front of the line for jury duty.

By: M in Bratt

M in Bratt — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 13:38:12 +0000

@Jane; Our justice system and state and federal law are predicated upon the view that once a felon, always a felon. There are means where a felon can, by leading an exemplary life, and staying out of trouble can petition the Governor, and get their crime forgiven, and all their rights restored. The fact is, a very high percentage of felons are repeatedly caught involved in crime, and get arrested again and again. Jane, I guess you would have us restore all their rights upon release, then they could legally own and carry firearms, work in high security jobs, and do all the other things associated with being good, law abiding citizens.

By: Rene Bass

Rene Bass — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 13:02:54 +0000

Everyone automatically thinks the worst. I have a family member, first offense received a felony conviction due to possession of 1/2 of an oxycodone pill. This was a young person who made a stupid choice due to addiction. They have turned their life around and is in college with an extremely high GPA, working and is a productive member of society. This is not a party issue, it is a people issue. Some people made an error in judgment and did not hurt anyone but themselves. They are not a violent offender.

By: just saying

just saying — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:17:11 +0000

I do not believe that they should be restored immediately after sentence I believe they need more time after the sentence is finished to prove they are a good citizen say 2-5 years of doing the right thing. And I’m sorry a felon is a felon is a felon I don’t care if your a Drug Lord, A murder, or a Sex Offender what is good for one is good for all. The whole idea of use fear to manipulate the public for votes and creating sub cultures of disenfranchised people is ridiculous it violates constitutional rights.

Taxation without representation. If someone cannot vote legally they cannot be taxed because they have no voice in the government i.e they can cast no vote. This was one of the foundations this great nation was built on.

Its also a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and before you say anything the laws that strip away felons rights and establish certain felonies as sex offender due violate the constitution and do violate this Act because our own government has created a new race called felon and creed called sex offender.

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 10:58:40 +0000

Gees, you folks are brutal, you act like early England even before the middle ages.
Do you really, really see a problem with ex-felons being able to vote? I mean really? Taking responsibility and being aware enough to vote, you think felons should not have the same responsibility as you yourself?

By: M in Bratt

M in Bratt — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 10:21:01 +0000

Let’s not call them convicted felons anymore. Let’s just call them unregistered democrats.

By: Alex A

Alex A — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 02:50:14 +0000

Jimmy T. A thousand per week? They aren’t even in session half the year or more.