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Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders proposed that convicted felons, currently behind bars, should have the right to vote while in prison. Do you think felons should be able to vote?

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Jennings Bunn
Jennings Bunn
4 years ago

They are in jail/prison because they committed a crime. Whatever the crime, they chose to do it, knowing that they were hurting another fellow human. No, the Right to Vote is lost to them.

H. J.
H. J.
4 years ago

Reality check: this is not a perfect world, where only criminals are in prison.
Prisons are a part of a corrupt system where privately owned facilities promote incarceration.
Just because you don’t share someone’s political views doesn’t mean you should oppose everything they try to use to get votes.
In the state of Wisconsin, Republicans and Democrats alike are trying to address the issues of allowing felons to at least get a job, much less a place to live.
Some of these people should never have been labeled ‘felon’ in the 1st place.
A felon trying to get out of the system faces enormous obstacles; placed there intentionally to keep them in the system.
If someone has managed to stay alive long enough to serve a sentence & defied all odds to get a job and a place to live and stay ‘clean’, then YES they deserve the right to vote again, also.
What makes Bernie Sanders think an X-felon will vote Democrat anyway?
The Democrats are the ones fouling up the Justice System !!

Skycastle
Skycastle
4 years ago

After a prisoner has served his sentence and been released from jail, ALL rights should be restored to him. This is right, fair, good, and reasonable. We shouldn’t continue to withhold their rights. After all, we do want them to become normal, good citizens.

Corky
Corky
4 years ago

Perhaps if they were required to vote for GOP or Libertarian candidates- Dems and Socialists wouldn’t be trying to buy votes

Michael Kerner
Michael Kerner
4 years ago

Since they are still obligated to pay taxes while incarcerated, they must have the right to vote. Remember “no taxation without representation”.

David H Coffey
David H Coffey
4 years ago

Anyone who’s soul is languishing in prison has Constitutionally given up his Rights due to his receiving reproof and correction, instruction in Righteousness, the Right use of the Law, for his sin against society. However, once the karma that he has committed has been balanced and his sentence has been completed, his debt to society has been paid. The bill is folded in half that it cannot be seen by anyone, and this is the proof that the debt has been paid. He may absolutely vote and enjoy all of his natural Rights which he had forfeited, for he has completed his repayment. To deny any soul upon the completion of the repayment of the karma he released upon society is a terrible and unlawful use of Justice without Mercy is absolutely on Justice at all. David H. Coffey

Jeff dean
Jeff dean
4 years ago

I believe that felons who have served their time should also have their 2Amendment rights restored.

Robert Shafron
Robert Shafron
4 years ago

My personal belief is that while serving their sentence, a person’s right to vote is suspended. Once that person, felon or otherwise, serves their sentence and completes their probation, they have paid their debt to society. They should be able to regain the right to vote.

I see the inability to regain one’s rights after one’s debt has been paid as immoral, because this rejects the notion of forgiveness, which is at the heart of Judeo/Christian belief. In a moral civil society, punishment should be in the name of justice, not revenge.

However, what rights former felons should regain, if any, should be decided by the citizens of each State. This is a states rights issue. The federal government should not impose a federal law on the nation or prevent states from establishing their own laws.

We need to stop looking to the federal government to solve all of society’s issues. This is not what our Framers intended.

W. B. Adair
W. B. Adair
4 years ago

The Founding Fathers put in the 10th Amendment to emphasize that most of the laws and regulations within a State should be left to the People or the State. This is yet another thing that should never be taken up at the Federal level. We are not the Unistace, a monolithic country like France, Belgium or Lichtenstein. We are the American Union, composed of 50 Sovereign States, each State having its own laws, and even State Armies and State Air Forces. In that we are more like the European Union than like any small country in the European Union.

Once everyone stops paying attention to their local governments and starts demanding the Fed do everything we will become more like the Wiemar Republic of Germany, ripe for a Hitler to seize all of the national powers and have everything. The Founding Fathers knew history. Having the States more powerful and independent was a guard against tyranny. That is why the State National Guards. In the sense of Texas National Guard, that name doesn’t mean the Federal Army posted in Texas. But, the National Guard of the NATION of Texas or Oklahoma, Sovereign States (Nations) united into a Federal Union as the United STATES. We have been eroding that fora long time, making way for a Federal tyrant to come into power with no options to resist such a tyrant.

Fixer48
Fixer48
4 years ago

Hate to say it but if they are required to pay taxes they should be allowed to vote but not while they are in prison.

Sunny Willingham
Sunny Willingham
4 years ago

If a person commits a violent crime against someone or any act , against a child, elderly, disabled or anyone not able to defend theirself they should NEVER be able to vote again! If a person committed a “non violent” crime (petty theft for example) , not involving a human directly, as a young adult, say before the age of 25, l think they should be able to vote after serving time and restitution has been paid and after they have reached the age of 35-40yrs of age and been off probation and or out of confinement for ten years then they should be able to vote provided they have not commited ANY crimes during that ten years after the crime that they were convicted of.

Tom Bearry
Tom Bearry
4 years ago

The question is not definitive. Their are several levels of felony to be considered. Certainly no one currently behind bars should be given the ability to vote. After serving their sentence it should depend on the type of felony committed. Felonies range from the felon needing a swift kick to those who should be banned from influencing the government, at any level, with their vote.

B. Kelly
B. Kelly
4 years ago

Some humans are criminals but are not convicted or serving time. Take Killary for instance and Osama. They – among others in office – are guilty of treason, murder, pedophilia just to name a few. Yet they vote.
This has never been a question until bumper faced Bernie decided to challenge the long-standing statute. Leave it to the Bern. But since he brought it to the surface, I will admit that maybe the statute should be revisited. Felons who have done their time and proven themselves positive members of society should be considered for possible voting rights – provided they are not murderers.
Im feeling deprived of my Meuller polls.

Hugo
Hugo
4 years ago

Yet another desperate attempt by Democrat-Socialists to find more ways to buy votes and keep their “Welfare Empire” running. And to keep their hold over federal revenues so they can pay off their special interest groups, they are literally willing to destroy America. They will do this by importing millions of illegal aliens and giving them the vote, and by ‘restoring the rights’ of felons who have committed crimes like murder, assault, kidnapping and drug dealing. None of these illegal aliens or murderers should EVER get the right to vote. If you work hard, obey the law, save and invest, then watch out, because you have a target on your back. The Democrat-Socialists want to destroy your country and they’ll try to destroy you if you disagree with them. Recall what William F. Buckley once said: “Liberals say they are in favor of free speech, until they find to their horror that people actually disagree with them. Then they want only one opinion to be allowed.”

Rosemary
Rosemary
4 years ago

When they commit a crime against our civil society, they should lose all civil rights. Period.

Ed Leonard
Ed Leonard
4 years ago

Anyone in prison does not know enough truth to vote knowledgeable.They only get the biased TV spin on issues.

Linda Boone
Linda Boone
4 years ago

First of all the felons chose to disobey the law and the Word of God says to obey the law of the land!
Second, when they are convicted, they lose their job, money, health insurance and usually their hands on visits from family.
Thirdly, they think someone owes them something in life and I myself do not intend to help someone that won’t do right and help themselves.
Fourthly, they need to grow up and be an adult and take on personal responsibility.
We were all raised to do right in life, get a job, be responsible and put God first in our heart and life.
I will pray for them , but when you choose to do wrong, then you should be stripped of all rights, not just a few rights.

Judy
Judy
4 years ago

I would like to meet those that said yes and ask why????? So more crooked people will be in office????

Carol Botts
Carol Botts
4 years ago

Pretty sure that a great percentage of felons probably never cared to vote in their lifetime so this point may be moot, however, if they are committing felonies, they should forfeit all rights to voting in my view.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

Someone convicted of murder should get the right to vote back when their victim(s) can vote again. In other words – never! Their debt is impossible to be repaid.

SusieQ
SusieQ
4 years ago

Furthermore, only land owners should be allowed to vote.

Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
4 years ago

I believe after someone has paid their price to society for the crime they have committed, that they HAVE paid their price and should be allowed to vote, they have paid their price

Ursula
Ursula
4 years ago

Maybe upon release from prison, a mandatory “re-entry to society program” should be developed to include regular work, regular attendance in some type of faith based organization, voting, regular spontaneous, drug & alcohol testing, unannounced home/work visits, etc., if felons cant/wont graduate or refuse to comply, they live the rest of their lives in prison doing hard labor without TV, radio, weights, pool tables, computers, or other creature comforts of society.

Holly Dunn
Holly Dunn
4 years ago

As a reformed felon I want my right to vote. My debt to society is paid in full. I’ve changed my whole life. I’m a responsible citizen and want to participate wholly and fully in the election process.

this is
this is
4 years ago

Once a person breaks the law and becomes a felon, that person loses all voting rights as that is a privilege and everyone is not entitled to it especially felons and illegal aliens. Law are laws and must remain in intact. with dire consequences when broken. I remember being told when I first registered to vote that felons were not allowed to vote at all as were non-American citizens. I also remember that registered aliens with green cards could vote on local issues but not in our General election. So, who decided to “interpret” it differently to include the felons and illegals???? WHO?????

Arnold
Arnold
4 years ago

From prison, no! But once they have served their time, including parole/probation/restitution, they should once again be allowed to vote.

Charles Pulaski
Charles Pulaski
4 years ago

The communist party(the now dead democrat party) are criminals themselves.

James Nuznoff
James Nuznoff
4 years ago

I have a dog in this fight..15 years ago I ‘assaulted’ my spouse. We are still happily married. Yet I have a life long prohabition against gun ownership. NOT RIGHT
Senator Laughtenburg …long dead…determined that I, FOREVER am not to possess a firearm. This needs to be fixed!!

William Bolton
William Bolton
4 years ago

I’m 70 years old with years of overseas service. While at a bus stop where no one spoke English, the group of about 15 people were approached by “get out the vote” representatives. As I was in conversation with one of those awaiting the bus, it was assumed I was hispanic. Get out the vote had a message that residence was the only requirement for voting in the USA. This interested me, that they were telling people they could vote, which would be a felony since none were citizens. Democrats and liberals lie and obviously are willing to commit criminal acts to win elections so it makes sense that they would want felons to vote. Once someone has been convicted of a crime they should be allowed to vote only after proving rehabilitation and NO violent criminals should EVER be allowed to vote under any circumstances in any election because they had no respect for our Constitution and the rights of other people. Leftists say anything is all right if it helps leftists win. I am convinced that the majority of leftists are of the criminal mind.

Rick Flint
Rick Flint
4 years ago

Requiring Voter ID at the polls to prove citizenship is a much bigger issue

Russ Ackerman
Russ Ackerman
4 years ago

The democrats are pushing this because they think it will allow them to stack votes in their favor, just like they want illegals to vote. Under a true Republic like we have, our Constitution will NOT allow our country to be socialized. If it happens, the United States no longer exists. The democrats have made it quit clear to all they do NOT stand for Freedom, the Constitution or our rights. They all sure have lined their pockets well while in office though!

garth russom
garth russom
4 years ago

basically i believe it depends on the crime

Rhonda
Rhonda
4 years ago

If they go through the effort and process and time to go to court and have their record expunged. Most states limit the types of felony charges and convictions that can be expunged. Typically, violent felonies, sex offenses, and other serious crimes including weapons charges cannot be expunged.

Twall
Twall
4 years ago

I don’t believe that its productive to allow felons to vote. Very simply, our laws are made for EVERYONE to abide by. If you allow felons to vote, do you not take teeth out of the very laws that cause every taxpayer and legal voter to abide by? I do recognize rehabilitation. However, when we ” water-down” our strictest laws, you enable liberals to take advantage of developed loopholes for the ability to hamstring law enforcement. UNACCEPTABLE!!! CRIPES, aren’t there too many pieces of slime already compromising our forefathers intentions?

brian dutton
brian dutton
4 years ago

At this rate, we should just let ALL the Countries in the World vote in our Elections!………………….Just plain stupid.

Glen Grant
Glen Grant
4 years ago

Bernie Sanders??? Dems are out of their minds for supporting this yo-yo.

Brian Macnair
Brian Macnair
4 years ago

Yes they should after they served there time. It is that way already in most states after time is served probation is complete and fines paid. Violent felons cannot ever get there right to vote back and all have to go through the governor. Fla has given right to vote back to non violent felons which is good.

Brenda Harrison
Brenda Harrison
4 years ago

Who are the 117 ignorant voter’s? I can’t believe how stupid some Americans are!!!

Dale
Dale
4 years ago

Felons once convicted their citizenship is forfeited. I think I remember that being covered in either the US constitution or the Missouri State constitution. Regardless of wherever it is these folks are not able to vote now and Bernie is not likely to be able to effectively change that requirement.

JO COOPER
JO COOPER
4 years ago

I think your choices are too narrow. Felonies are of various classes and I do think some classes may be able to have some or all voting rights restored after serving their time. Repeat offenders at any class level (of the same or different crimes) should absolutely lose their rights forever, state and federal. Federal offenses are quite different from state offenses because each state determines their own classes and definition, some if which are pretty narrow while others are wide open. That lends itself to other issues – what if a felon moves to a new state after serving time? How do the states withhold or allow rights? How do states communicate with one another? Etc. There are just more layers to this question than a simple yes or no answer can supply. Just be careful how you use your results.

GT Slade
GT Slade
4 years ago

Another issue no one cared about before. Now, the “conversation” gets directed towards this nonsense, when there are real problems facing the nation, like an enormous national debt and numerous problems caused by the government, like high college and medical costs.

Steve
Steve
4 years ago

There is a process for convicted felons to recover rights lost by their conviction. It takes time, it takes completing their sentence, and it takes a court action. They have to demonstrate that they have re-entered society and are a productive and lawful member. Being a felon is not a lifetime of never voting but it isn’t an automatic one and done. They have to have changed their stripes and lifestyle before being given their rights back.

lea
lea
4 years ago

.

Zara Zerby
Zara Zerby
4 years ago

If they have served their duty to Society for their crimes I think they should be able to vote after that because they are expected to follow the rules but have no say so in the rules I don’t think that’s right

Robert Rose
Robert Rose
4 years ago

Committing a crime is a free decision with stark negative results. Voting is a lost privilege.

Fay Bradley
Fay Bradley
4 years ago

They should regain their privilege to vote two years after release from prison upon good behavior and no violation of probation, a work history and perhaps educational studies. All prisoners are a great expense and a drag on society with a high rate of recidivism.

Catherine
Catherine
4 years ago

If you are serving time for felony’s, murder or major white crimes, then you stay in prison and remember why and how you lost your voting privilege.

larry barnett
larry barnett
4 years ago

have a Great Day

Sheena
Sheena
4 years ago

I think there should be a buy back option.
Serve your time, pay any restitutions, and stay clear of the law for 5 years or so and you can petition the courts to reinstate your rights to vote. If your crime was non violent that petition might include expungement so all rights are restored.

Buster Matthews
Buster Matthews
4 years ago

Only vote whores think different!

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