Prisoner voting?

[Nutsack]

Here in America we have a few groups that are not able to vote. I believe the major ones are prisoners, underage citizens. It is quite obvious that both of these populations are given no attention in politics, probably because of their inability to vote. Now, if prisoners we're able to vote, perhaps some positive things could be catered to them - BUT, they would have to compete in this against the general population.

Because we all know how ridiculously horrible American prisons are.

And we all know that in a true democracy, everyone votes.

[Phier]

Democrats need more votes already? I thought they just won everything.

[Nutsack]

If no, then why not? Just because they committed horrible crimes?

What does having committed crime have anything to do with voting? Please answer that question.

Democrats need more votes already? I thought they just won everything.

I guess you're right that most prisoners would vote democrat, but probably because they don't enjoy waterboarding.

[Viking Prince]

If no, then why not? Just because they committed horrible crimes?

What does having committed crime have anything to do with voting? Please answer that question.



I guess you're right that most prisoners would vote democrat, but probably because they don't enjoy waterboarding.

I suggest that this is a massive trolling thread. Please prove me wrong by stating your case rather than simply asking for others to state their cases.

A better question would be why should someone incarcerated be given the perks of liberty? They have commited crimes sufficient to be seperated from the citizens. Why should they have any say in government while in prison?

Prisoners are not waterboarded. Now you post is stating stuff that is not even remotely valid.

[Nutsack]

What's this about a true democracy? I thought the US was a constitutional Republic?

Correct. Maybe I'm alone in wanting to strive for a truly free society?

I suggest that this is a massive trolling thread. Please prove me wrong by stating your case rather than simply asking for others to state their cases.

A better question would be why should someone incarcerated be given the perks of liberty? They have commited crimes sufficient to be seperated from the citizens. Why should they have any say in government while in prison?

Prisoners are not waterboarded. Now you post is stating stuff that is not even remotely valid.

I'm not for or against the topic, in fact I'm indifferent. I am simply interested in others opinions on the question, so I believe it is quite well within my right to ask the members of this forum just that. What's wrong by asking others to state their case? That's the whole point of a forum - stating your own case.

The reason "someone incarcerated be given the perks of liberty" is to be represented of in government. Perhaps I am too forgiving? Perhaps I should adopt your views of putting people in 3x3m cells, limiting their entire life to a facility?

Now hold on, I'm not saying thats wrong. The point of this thread is whether or not they should be able to vote. Prisoners have been stripped off of every right and demoted to something of a lowlife - the least we can do for them is to at least let them have a voice.

So, umm, the majority of them can vote...

In my state, its only felons with violent crimes who can't vote after their sentence is up.

I support this, murderers and the like have given up their rights as far as I'm concerned.

So many of them can vote? I did not know this. I thought all prisoners were stripped off of voting rights. Never mind then.

[Desperado †]

If no, then why not? Just because they committed horrible crimes?

What does having committed crime have anything to do with voting? Please answer that question.

When a human impares the rights of others their rights are restricted save those most basic. Arguably, the right to vote is a basic right. Interesting concept, but while certain states don't recognise certain criminals right to life, the right to vote is miles off.

[MaximiIian]

Just because they committed horrible crimes?

Yes!

What does having committed crime have anything to do with voting? Please answer that question.

Committing a felony shows that they have a disregard for law and society; if they are unwilling to be a part of society, they shouldn't have a say in how society is run.

[Lumina]

I say if they have no education then they shouldn't vote no matter in prison or not. The uneducated are more likely to be minipulated to voting for things they most likely shouldn't be voting for or people they shouldn't be voting for.

[Captain Jin]

What's this about a true democracy? I thought the US was a constitutional Republic?

[Sidmen]

Felon voting rights is a state issue, so the laws are different from state to state. Some states allow only individuals on probation and ex-felons to vote. Others allow individuals on parole, probation and ex-felons to vote. As of July 2007, only Maine and Vermont allow incarcerated individuals to vote.

Fourteen states, eleven of them in the South, ban anyone with a felony conviction from voting for life, even after the person has served the sentence.

So, umm, the majority of them can vote...

In my state, its only felons with violent crimes who can't vote after their sentence is up.

I support this, murderers and the like have given up their rights as far as I'm concerned.

[Sidmen]

In most states, felons (and only felons, lesser criminals are not normally restricted) aren't allowed to vote during their sentence, but aren't too restricted afterwards. Being in prison means that you are deemed unfit to be part of society anymore, and must be either punished or rehabilitated to be re-included. When you aren't fit to be a part of society, you don't have a voice in that society's management.

[Chlodwig I.]

Active or passive voting right?

passive right... No way


But active voting right
Yes
Because Prisoners, even when they are seperated from society, are still part of society.
If they aren't sentenced to death or for lifetime they will leave the prison one day.


The morality of a society is shown by the way they treat thier weakest members

[Enemy of the State]

No for violent criminals. If you prove that you have no respect towards society, you do not deserve to vote.

[Stavroforos]

During their sentance they should not be able to vote, but once they're out of prison then yes they should definitely be able to vote. Having served their sentance means that they have been punished for their crime, anything more is excessive.

[Phalanx300]

No, while in Prison they shouldn't be able to vote. They went against the law and lost the right to vote while executing their punishment.

[Eastern Roman]

Yes they should. Prison shouldn't be about punishment but a correctional facility...

[AqD]

Yes they should. Prison shouldn't be about punishment but a correctional facility...

Why should we try to correct them?

[Visna]

Why should we try to correct them?

Because punishment alone in most cases doesn't work, perhaps?

[AqD]

Because punishment alone in most cases doesn't work, perhaps?

if punishment fails to work, why not remove them?


Back to the topic, the answer should be NO, for the very same reason that we don't let 3-years-old kids vote - because they're incapable of it.

[Visna]

if punishment fails to work, why not remove them?

Remove the punishment or remove the prisoners?
But you're probably right, let's save this for another day, another thread.

On topic, I think they should be allowed to vote. I don't think having committed a crime and being in prison has anything to do with a right to vote. Just like choosing to live abroad but keep your citizenship doesn't have anything to do with a right to vote.

I don't know how it works in the US, but that's how it works here. I like that system.