Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Holder Urges States to Lift Bans on Felons’ Voting
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. spoke today about state laws that keep felons from voting. He feels that today’s prohibitions resemble the past policies of the South; in many states, the citizenship of these felons remains non-existent for the rest of their lives. Not only does Mr. Holder feel that there should be a change in policy for felons and voting, but he also strives to have Congress eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenses. He has made it known that he sees criminal justice and civil rights to be closely correlated. On one hand, I feel that all states should implement fair policies like that of Iowa. On the other hand, I'm not sure if Mr. Holder is right. Just because someone pays their court costs and fines doesn't make them sane. Am I wrong to feel this way? What do you think about what Eric Holder has said?
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This is a very interesting dilemma that I had never considered before. I agree that laws such as Mississippi's law where passing a $100 bad check carries a lifetime ban from voting. However, Iowa's law that as long as you pay your court fees you're good to vote, seems a little too open. That said, I do find some truth in the idea that if you make one go to jail for something minor (drug possession or shoplifting) you shouldn't be judged as a criminal for the rest of your life. On another note, they make the argument that if criminals were able to vote, the democrats would have won in the election of 2000. However, I find it hard to believe that most criminals would vote even if they were allowed to.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am in agreement with Holder’s (and Rand Paul’s) push to end minimum sentences on nonviolent drug crimes, I do not believe that civil rights and the rights of felons are intertwined. Felons have disrespected our laws (and/or their state’s laws). Therefore, why should they be entitled to be able to vote for those very people who will pass laws? If someone can prove that they are reformed and have paid their debt to society, however, I would be inclined to allow those individuals to vote again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Holder that legislation barring felons from voting should be lifted. Voting while still incarcerated should still be prohibited. Upon release, if a person has repaid his or her debt to society he or she should be allowed to vote. However, I believe restoration of voting rights should be granted on a case by case basis. Iowa's felon voting policy should serve as a model for the other states.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Holder is right in wanting to lift the voting bar on felons. Our felons are American citizens who aren't anymore uninformed than regular voters. Many convicted felons only have broken minor laws that shouldn't prevent them from voting. Should a woman who has been loosely involved in a drug ring be banned from voting? Her crime hasn't influenced her political views to some anarchy-based plot. But what will Holder's decision to lift the ban barring felons from voting actually do? If there's no legislature that provides voting booths in jails, how will the convicts gain access to voting?
ReplyDeleteI think criminals should be allowed to vote, whether they be currently in jail, or on parole, or back living normal lives. Like Riley said, they are American citizens, so they still have rights. With exception to mentally unstable convicts, all should be allowed to vote because political view didn't, most likely, influence their decision to commit a crime, and there isn't a "pro-murder" or "pro-rape" candidate to vote for, so convicts voting won't somehow result in some crazy, topsy-turvy president. On another note, I suppose most convicts would vote Democrat, because most are minorities and also poor/need government programs. I wonder how it would sway results. My only question is, if convicts could vote while in jail, could they vote in local/state/primary elections?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emily and feel that criminals should be allowed to vote. Voting is a basic right associated with all people, good and bad; if you're an American citizen, you should be able to vote. If the American government prohibits any person from voting, then we are no better than any corrupt international government.
ReplyDeleteI also think that criminals should be able to vote for the simple fact that they are still citizens with rights. I see no problem in letting them vote. Besides most criminals most likely would not vote if they had the option.
ReplyDeletePeople in jail, previously in jail, and people on parole should totally be allowed to vote. Just think, the criminals that were caught are the ones that there is a restriction on; there are still plenty of criminals out there who have not been caught and they may well be voting in every election. It's hard to put into clear words what I am trying to say, but hopefully you get it. All in all, I agree with Holder that the voting restrictions on felons should be lifted.
ReplyDeleteI believe that felons should be allowed to vote. Criminals who go to prison are already being punished, rightfully, for the crimes they have committed. However, people tend to forget that the other purpose of the criminal justice system, besides to punish criminals to discourage them and others from committing further crimes, is to reform criminals and reassimilate them back into mainstream society. Granting felons the right to vote would help make them feel less alienated from society and lessen the perception that we have "given up" on them. Being able to participate in politics is a fundamental right of being a citizen of the United States; in withholding the right to vote from felons we are in effect telling them they are no longer citizens, which only serves to exacerbate the problems that often lead criminals to commit crimes.
ReplyDeleteI think after people have served their time and completed their probation period, they should be allowed to vote. I do not agree with people who say that even the people in prison are citizens, so they should be allowed to vote. The people who broke the law, especially sex offenders, have shown they reject the laws put in place by government officials, so their vote is more likely to be for people who reduce the punishment for criminals. Our right to vote is a major way we influence the government, and those who are incarcerated should not be able to influence government in that way.
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