Felons, or individuals who have been convicted of a crime, often have their voting rights restricted or taken away entirely once they have served their sentence. This practice is known as felon disenfranchisement, and it affects millions of individuals in the United States. Opponents of felon disenfranchisement argue that it is a violation of the fundamental right to vote, as well as a form of discrimination against a marginalized group (Shadangi, 2018). They say that once an individual has served their sentence, they should be allowed to fully reintegrate into society, including participating in the democratic process.
Furthermore, research has shown that disenfranchisement has a disproportionate impact on communities of color, as they are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. Denying these individuals the right to vote perpetuates systemic racism and undermines their ability to have a voice in shaping the policies that impact their lives. Additionally, some studies have suggested that restoring voting rights to felons can lead to a decrease in recidivism, as it promotes feelings of civic responsibility and belonging (Shadangi, 2018). It also allows these individuals to have a stake in their own rehabilitation and reintegration into society. In many countries, there is no legal restriction for felons to vote, or the restrictions are less severe than in the US (Shadangi, 2018). For example, in Canada, most people in prison can vote, and in many European countries, individuals who are serving short sentences still have the right to vote.
In conclusion, the restriction of voting rights for felons is a contentious issue with valid arguments on both sides. However, many argue that denying the right to vote to individuals who have served their sentence is a violation of their fundamental rights and disproportionately affects marginalized communities. Furthermore, restoring voting rights to felons can have positive effects on their reintegration into society.
Reference
Shadangi, Dr. S. K. (2018). Right to Vote: A Selected Choice. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development, Volume-2(Issue-3), 1517–1522. Web.