Should Convicted Felons Have the Right to Vote?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the question of whether convicted felons should have the right to vote. It explores various perspectives on the implications of voting rights for individuals who have been convicted of crimes, particularly in the context of recent legal rulings and societal views on rehabilitation and punishment.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about the voting rights of prisoners, questioning whether they are legally allowed to vote while incarcerated.
  • One viewpoint suggests that prisoners on probation should not vote, but those who are free after serving their time, like Eminem, should be allowed to vote as part of their reintegration into society.
  • Another participant argues that losing the right to vote serves as an additional punishment and a deterrent, implying that this is a necessary consequence of felony convictions.
  • There is a suggestion that the severity of the crime should influence voting rights, with some advocating for a distinction between different types of offenses.
  • One participant emphasizes that the right to vote is a fundamental right that should not be misused for punitive purposes, arguing that imprisonment should be the extent of the punishment.
  • Another participant asserts that while basic human rights should be afforded to convicted individuals, voting should not be included among those rights.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the issue, with no consensus reached. Some believe that felons should retain voting rights after serving their sentences, while others argue that voting should be restricted as part of the punishment for their crimes.

Contextual Notes

There are references to differing legal standards regarding voting rights for prisoners in various jurisdictions, particularly contrasting the situation in South Africa with that in the United States. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of what constitutes fair treatment of convicted individuals in relation to democratic participation.

Should prisoners/convicts be allowed to vote?

  • Yes

    Votes: 3 50.0%

  • No

    Votes: 3 50.0%
  • Total voters
    6
Shahil
Messages
116
Reaction score
21
Simple question but would like some response to it.

A couple days back I was watching MTV News and they covered a Hip Hop convention where Eminem was encouraging the youth to vote. Apparently he can't vote becasue he is a convicted felon.

Recently in SA, there was a court ruling which basically gave the vote to a couple thousand prisoners.

Now, what should the proper democratic stance be on convicts? Should they be given the vote or not. After all they are citizens of the country but on the other hand, they have broken the rules of the country.

i really don't have a view on this issue and was :redface: hoping u guys can give me some direction here!
 
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Prisoners can't vote?
 
Prisoners in jail or on probation shouldn't be allowed to vote but if you are convicted and walking free, such as Eminem, should be allowed to vote since they are trying to live renewed lives. If you are convicted twice for the same crime or even a different one then you sould not be allowed to vote. But that's just my opinion.
 
kuengb said:
Prisoners can't vote?

Do you mean can't as in shouldn't be allowed to or can't as in they're not allowed to.

After the court ruling in SA, prisoners CAN vote while serving their prison term.
 
Shahil said:
Do you mean can't as in shouldn't be allowed to or can't as in they're not allowed to.
As in they're not allowed to.

This was new to me. As I understand you correctly that's US law, prisoners may not vote in the US?

I think they should be allowed to. First of all, some pocket thief is not a serial killer, you have to draw the line somewhere. Second of all, in my eyes this is a misuse of a fundamental right for juristical purpouses. The sentence for a crime is prison, and nothing else.
 
It's not prisoners, it's felons that cannot vote.

Losing the right to vote is an additional punishment and is to be a deterrent.
 
kuengb said:
As in they're not allowed to.

This was new to me. As I understand you correctly that's US law, prisoners may not vote in the US?

I think they should be allowed to. First of all, some pocket thief is not a serial killer, you have to draw the line somewhere. Second of all, in my eyes this is a misuse of a fundamental right for juristical purpouses. The sentence for a crime is prison, and nothing else.

The line is drawn at felonies and misdermeanors. If you are a felon, you hand over your freedom, your right to handle a gun, and to vote.
 
I don't think prisoners should vote like phatmonky said above. People who are convicted should be given basic human rights but not freedom such as voting.
 

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