I think the concept of felons losing voting rights (for a time) is ok, but really needs to be revisited. It needs more nuance and appeal (and fixed time period).
In an ideal justice world, the felon has proven they aren’t a real member of society, by being a danger to it. But the point of like, not just killing people or deporting them should be to get that person rejoining society as an effective member. Voting is part of that. So improved sentencing, rehabilitation, monitoring, all driving towards getting that person back into society, including voting.
That said, if you do a violent crime with a gun you should never be able to own a gun again.
If you do a political crime you should never get to vote, lobby or run etc.
I mostly agree with your points, especially about violent and political felonies, but there are a ton of nonviolent felonies (many drug and money-related) that I don’t believe should have your right to participate in society taken away. I agree that it needs an overhaul. The sad thing is that there is a ton of case law that exists about these things, and many of the cases that result in felonies could have been lesser charges, had the defendant been able to afford a lawyer.
Good points. Yep, I would hope for a future to view crime more like addiction. These people need to be in rehab, to learn how to be good to themselves, others, and contribute to society when they get out. Voting should be seen like, not have full privilege while in rehab. Once you’re out, and no longer on parole/probation, you should be a normal citizen again, barring certain exceptions
I guessed as well but didn’t want to assume.
I think the concept of felons losing voting rights (for a time) is ok, but really needs to be revisited. It needs more nuance and appeal (and fixed time period).
In an ideal justice world, the felon has proven they aren’t a real member of society, by being a danger to it. But the point of like, not just killing people or deporting them should be to get that person rejoining society as an effective member. Voting is part of that. So improved sentencing, rehabilitation, monitoring, all driving towards getting that person back into society, including voting.
That said, if you do a violent crime with a gun you should never be able to own a gun again.
If you do a political crime you should never get to vote, lobby or run etc.
I mostly agree with your points, especially about violent and political felonies, but there are a ton of nonviolent felonies (many drug and money-related) that I don’t believe should have your right to participate in society taken away. I agree that it needs an overhaul. The sad thing is that there is a ton of case law that exists about these things, and many of the cases that result in felonies could have been lesser charges, had the defendant been able to afford a lawyer.
Good points. Yep, I would hope for a future to view crime more like addiction. These people need to be in rehab, to learn how to be good to themselves, others, and contribute to society when they get out. Voting should be seen like, not have full privilege while in rehab. Once you’re out, and no longer on parole/probation, you should be a normal citizen again, barring certain exceptions