Should prisoners get the vote?

[ComradeDavo]

Something I've wondered about for awhile is if prisoners should be given the vote or not?

In Britain prisoners do not have the vote. I think this is the case in many other countries also.

It has been argued that people in jail should not be compeltely cut out of the political process so as not to feel completely alienated when released - that has part of their rehabilitation prisoners should have the vote. But then this is countered by arguments that by commiting crime prisoners forfit their rights as a normal citizen, and that they should be punished by having their democratic right taken away.

It is also said that by prisoners having the vote that means serial killers and alike would get it, and as they have commited the most terriable of crimes so should be stripped of their rights completely. But in counter to this, perhaps some prisoners should still get the vote, for example those who have only commited minor crimes or have been jailed for example protesting or petty theft.

What is the situation where you live?

And what do you think the situation should be?

This is a subject that I have not yet formed a proper opinion on, so i would be gratefull to see some good debate

 

[Erik Mesoy]

I think they should still have the vote, otherwise we're heading for a very ugly piece of 1984ism.

Hey, Florida elections, felons stricken from the voter rolls... Just look at history.

 

[nonconformist]

Minor criminals perhaps-the inrehabitable no.

 

[ComradeDavo]

Minor criminals perhaps-the inrehabitable no.

Thats what i'm leaning towards, because I think rehab is important for minor criminals such as those arrested for drug use.

 

[Padma]

Convicted felons lose the right to vote. Those convicted of misdemeanors do not.

 

[A'AbarachAmadan]

Felons should lose it. Others shouldn't. That is the system in the US and I agree with it.

 

[nonconformist]

What, in the US sistem, is a difference between a felony and a misdemeanour?

 

[Leonel]

I think first time offenders for minor offenses should be allowed to vote. Afterwards if they get in trouble again, they should be denied the right to vote. This to goes for first time offenders of hainous crimes such as murder, manslaughter, grand theft auto, ya know the serious crimes. Other than that, someone as a first time vandelism charge would still get to vote, whereas a first time serial murderer is denied.

Someone that goes against societies laws too far should have no right to help make social decisions. Excluding ideological pretenses of course (politics, religion, etc).

 

[Alpine Trooper]

Pending type of offence... Yes and No.

 

[FearlessLeader2]

Convicted felons lose the right to vote. Those convicted of misdemeanors do not.

As it should be. Those found incapable of living within society's bounds should not have the power to shape it.

 

[IglooDame]

What, in the US sistem, is a difference between a felony and a misdemeanour?

Felony is something serious, misdemeanor usually much less so. In general, if it makes the evening news (and it is a non-celebrity person that did it), it is definitely a felony.


Edit: and by the way, I don't think imprisoned felons should be able to vote, but I don't see any reason why those that have served their time shouldn't get it back.

 

[h4ppy]

As long as they're citizens. (or considered to be citizens)

 

[Irish Caesar]

Prisoners should not be able to vote.
Those who are not in prison (and are of legal voting age) should vote.

Sounds simple enough.

 

[The Last Conformist]

I don't really see why they shouldn't be able to vote.

 

[Black_Hole]

I find constitutionality problems with not allowing felons to vote... All citizens above 18 have the right to vote according to the constitution, so do felons lose citizenship when convicted?

Now I am not for felons voting, its just that the constitution seems to be bypassed on this...

 

[King Alexander]

Convicted people always lost their right to vote, from ancient times, and I agree with it. Once the convicted people serve their time and get out of jail, their vote is restored(I think, that's not the case in other countries, and, IMHO, is very wrong, since the sentence has been served).

btw: your third option lacks the "denial"? You should have written "shouldn't".

 

[kronic]

They are allowed to vote in Germany. They lose their right to run for an office for 5 years if they have to stay more than one year in a prison.

There are some exceptions though. People can lose their right to vote for 2-5 years if they commit political crimes, such as high treason, bribes of voters etc.

I like these rules and I don't see a point in changing them.

 

[farting bob]

If they are citizens of that country, they should have a right to vote, just like anyone else. There is no reason why i think they should not be allowed to vote. They are still people, living in the same contry as you and I.

 

[Mark1031]

I voted yes. In the US it is just used as a fancy way to disenfranchise African Americans.

 

[I am the Future]

once they are out of prison they should be considered the same as everyone else, no matter what they were convicted of