Question

The right to vote and hold office are civil disabilities that affect many felons, especially those who are minority and from impoverished communities. Do you believe that felons should be granted their right to vote upon parole? Determine any pros and cons to the issue? Should former inmates be granted the opportunity to seek an elected office? Is there a difference between them and those currently in office?

Answer 1

Yes, I do firmly believe that felons shold be granted voting rights following their release even if they are on parole or probation. Because I feel voting rights or right to vote is a fundamental rights provided by constitution and is enjoyed by every citizens so why felons should be prohibited from exercising their rights?

Pros and Cons of the Issue

Pros: First we need to understand that felons are not necessarily villains- some might be victims of unfair judiciary system and even if some those who have committed offences or crimes deserving of felon status should have their voices heard.

Second important thing is that those felons who are paying taxes after being released either on parole or on probation have every right to lead a life of a normal citizen of the state. But if they are not provided with the rights to vote, then that goes against the very core of the nation.

The act of voting itself reduces the recidivism creating an environment for change for the offenders and community at large.

Moreover without right to vote, mainly young black Americans are further pulled into he cycle of crime, imprisonment and release especially for non-violent and drug related offences.

Cons: Some argued that not everybody has the right to vote.So, how could felony shall be above others?

By committing crimes, felons have already proved that neither they cannot be trusted nor they can be acted in a responsible manner. So, as a society, we cannot be sure that we should trust them.

There are consequences for those that commit crimes that violate the rights of others. Not allowing them to vote shows a clear consequence for these actions.