Felon Voting ProCon.org

Readers' Comments A selection of our reader comments is provided below. We believe these statements are particularly relevant to our core question "Should felons be allowed to vote?" We posted these pro, con, and neutral comments in the approximate ratio that we received them. (For example, if 60% of the responses received are "pro," then about 60% of the responses posted below would be "pro"). The comments are arranged in reverse chronological order -- most recent first. We sometimes edit comments for brevity, clarity, and spelling. We may also remove comments posted when we find better comments covering the same issues. To preserve confidentiality, only the writer's first name is noted, unless he/she has waived confidentiality. Respondents are generally notified when we add their comments to this section.

PRO 4/16/08 - "Yes!!! I believe felons should be allowed to vote! As tax payers and citizens, why should we not have the right to vote?...I registered to vote at the age of 17 ½ and was an active voter until my rights were taken away! I have children and want them to learn about the right and privilege to vote and want to have a say on the issues and leadership in my country! I think the only felony charge that should ban a person from voting should be one where voting fraud is committed!" Angela 4/16/08 PRO 1/15/08 - "I believe that a person should have their rights restored if they have paid their debt to society, and they have completed parole or probation honorably. I completed my sentence and my parole honorably in 1987, but am still treated as a second class citizen. My question is: Why?" Scott 1/15/08 PRO 11/15/07 - "Yes felons should vote. They still pay taxes. Further, their input on voting could perhaps influence who comes in office. They have the best insight on how the justice system can be improved having been on both sides of it, and can help select a suitable candidate who can improve America." Shiron 11/15/07 PRO 10/3/07 - "I think that felons should have the right to vote but the major criminals should have their voting right confiscated." Cory 10/3/07 PRO 5/1/07 - "Not an election goes by where I don't get depressed about this [felon voting] issue. I can live without guns in the house but the lifetime isolation from voting and not being able to make changes for the better, sucks. Excellent work to all of you. I appreciate it." Mike, 5/1/07 CON 5/1/07 - "Felons should NOT be allowed to vote. They lost the privilege to vote when they broke the law. If we let them vote for something like the death penalty or life without parole then they would just vote for whatever benefits them." Anonymous, 5/1/07

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