Once their debt has been paid, once they have spent their time in jail x-felons must be allowed to vote. Talkleft suggests this and an issue that democrats should take up and Raise Your Hands asks:
where are the African American and Hispanic leaders on this issue, considering the skewed disenfranchisment of the poor and minorities.
And I propose going one step more and support no denial of voting rights for any citizen under any circumstances.
I do beleive that all U.S citizens should be allowed to vote no matter what they have done in the past. Not allowing felons to vote is “taxation without representation”. It is simply unjust and unfair!!
I do beleive that all U.S citizens should be allowed to vote no matter what they have done in the past. Not allowing felons to vote is “taxation without representation”. It is simply unjust and unfair!!
Unjust and unfair? What about their crime against the victim? And BTW, how many felons and ex-felons truly exercise their right to vote? Permanent disenfrancisement is only in 9 states. Most states disenfrnachise a felon while they are serving their time, to include parole.
A felony for most means never being forgiven. A felony is a life’s sentence without the jail. For the rest of a person’s life a felony adds a taint they can never be free of. They miss out on jobs for no apparent reason. They are forbidden from owning all but the most primitive weapons with which to defend their family or home. They are instantly assumed guilty during any encounters with the law from that point.
A felony really does ruin a person’s life. Because it was designed to do exactly that. America does NOT forgive. It just takes the tax money and goes on.
Chuck U. Farley – West Georgia Underground Radio
It is very sick that i have a three year old little girl and was a very successful manager but once i got in a car with the wrong person who had drugs on them i got charged and now im jobless i have fines i can not pay and my little girl is hungry thanks georgia for the justice!
My 26 year old son has not been convicted but is on probation for 10 years. If he slips, he goes in for 20 years. Yet, since he was released, he is to attend group sessions, visit his probation officer, and complete his community service hours. When/How is he supposed to work to pay his $80/month fine? And he can’t even GET a job with his record.
This society has really messed up. If it weren’t for his dad and me, he’d be unable to support himself, much less a famiy.
Thanks for this website. We are at our wit’s end!
MOM
I DO BELIEVE THAT A CONVICTED FELONS RIGHTS TO VOTE SHOULD BE RESTORED ONCE HE HAS PAID HIS DEBT. I AM A CONVICTED FELON MYSELF AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO THE LADY CALLED “MOM” THAT HER SON IS JUST TO LAZY TO GET UP AND GET A JOB. I HAVE SPENT ALMOST 7 YEARS IN PRISON AND I WORK EVERYDAY IN A VERY WELL PAYING JOB. SHE CLAIMS HER SON WAS NEVER CONVICTED BUT YET SHE STATES HE IS ON PROBATION, THAT IS STUPID, IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON PROBATION THE PERSON HAS TO BE FOUND GUILTY OF SOME CHARGE. LADY GROW UP AND LET YOUR SON GROW UP. STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR HIM WHY HE CAN’T DO THINGS. YES IT IS HARD BEING A CONVICTED FELON BUT YOUR SON AND MYSELF MADE THE CHOICE TO DO WHATEVER CRIME IT WAS TO GET US IN TROUBLE. YOU ARE YOUR SONS PROBLEM. TELL HIM TO GET OFF HIS BUTT AND DO SOMETHING. SOCIETY IS NOT MESSED UP, PARENTS THAT BABY THEIR 26 YEAR OLD CHILDREN ARE MESSED UP. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DO NOT LIKE THE LAWS OF GEORGIA, MOVE TO ALABAMA…..BYE BYE……………..TERRY
TO: ROBBIE SMITH,
IF YOU WOULD OF BEEN HOME WITH YOUR 3 YEAR OLD GIRL LIKE YOU SHOULD OF BEEN AND NOT OUT RUNNING THE STREETS WITH A FRIEND, AND I’M SURE IF HE WAS A FRIEND YOU KNEW HE USED DRUGS, THEN YOU WOULD NOT OF GOT INTO TROUBLE. QUIT BLAMING OTHERS FOR YOUR OWN STUPIDITY. AT LEAST YOU WERE WISE ENOUGH TO THANK GEORGIA FOR THEIR JUSTICE, THEY DID GET ANOTHER DRUG USER OFF THE STREETS. GO FIND A JOB, SUPPORT YOUR CHILD, STAY HOME AND READ TO HER, LET HER ENJOY HER CHILDHOOD. THE STATE OF GEORGIA DID NOT DO YOU WRONG, YOU DID YOUR DAUGHTER WRONG BY NOT BEING HOME WITH HER…….NOW, PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT…….TERRY
TO: ROBBIE SMITH,
IF YOU WOULD OF BEEN HOME WITH YOUR 3 YEAR OLD GIRL LIKE YOU SHOULD OF BEEN AND NOT OUT RUNNING THE STREETS WITH A FRIEND, AND I’M SURE IF HE WAS A FRIEND YOU KNEW HE USED DRUGS, THEN YOU WOULD NOT OF GOT INTO TROUBLE. QUIT BLAMING OTHERS FOR YOUR OWN STUPIDITY. AT LEAST YOU WERE WISE ENOUGH TO THANK GEORGIA FOR THEIR JUSTICE, THEY DID GET ANOTHER DRUG USER OFF THE STREETS. GO FIND A JOB, SUPPORT YOUR CHILD, STAY HOME AND READ TO HER, LET HER ENJOY HER CHILDHOOD. THE STATE OF GEORGIA DID NOT DO YOU WRONG, YOU DID YOUR DAUGHTER WRONG BY NOT BEING HOME WITH HER…….NOW, PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT…….TERRY
I am a felon I have a assualt charge on my record no harm came to the person I was convicted wrongfully I cant work any where yes I have the right to vote in New Mexico but as long as I have this felony I do not have the right to work or live as a free person in the USA My felony was 13 years ago and I have not had a arrest since. I am still unemployed and see no reason to live any more
s
It happens to men,To who will listen?
I am just one voice, an individual citizen, a military veteran of the United States and an American by birth. I was taught to believe this country was created on second chances. I was put through the legal system in Greenville, TX. so fast that I didn’t know the consequences would be so horrific. I have spent my entire life building, experience and education, to be able to make a decent wage. In the past month I have been refused over 50 jobs because I have a non-violent felony, On Nov. 26th 2002 I walked out two doors while I was not in the right state of mind. And was given a plea bargain for 7 yrs. probation or seven yrs. in prison. The original charge that placed me in jail, I was accused of an assault, no violence was ever proven, but again I was given a plea bargain and received a $50.00 fine and time served. They had to find me guilty for the misdemeanor in order to place me in the position of walking out the jail doors. I’m now unable to get past the first question in an interview. I’m being forced by the government to become a liar, I’m AKA: Criminal. I don
As a child, I was a victim of sexual assault. The man that assaulted me was a relative, I still know him. He has done his time. However I do not feel he has the moral or mental clarity to make decisions that affect public policy or any other human being as long as he lives. His son has put off a public career until he dies because he does not want the negative publicity. The right to vote should be restored in some cases, but not all. Someone that is out of jail on a minor drug offense, that has a job and is no longer doing drugs is very different than someone in jail for a violent crime, sexual assault or someone that is still a habitual drug user, or the felon that is mentally unbalanced.
I can see where some people feel there needs to be a balance, however it has to be done with common sense. Restoring everyone’s right the day they walk out of jail is not a viable option. I keep hearing about convicted felons rights. But what about the victim’s rights? If a felon has a hearing to have his voting privilege restored, does the victim have the right to have their say? Unfortunately there are too many pieces to this puzzle to have a blanket change across the board.
Tetty this is for you. stern words and talk from is well said by some but for me BS. Are you a counselor or better yet a bored undercover policeman or maybe just maybe you are A stalker who goes around felon bashing. Oh I see maybe ,you are an angry Felon.and reaching out but cant and only hurts instead of assisting.We some of us as did whatever but I dont believe and i frankly dont give a damn IFa YOU DO , that people are no longer viable and have a sense of worth . But speaking for myself a person who over achieves and still wants to. Fixing hambirgers and fries at McDonalds for u and your family. Do you honestly sit down and dwell on entering a website i presume for PEOPLE who have done something against the Law oh yeah like you really participated in the laws that YOUR FOREFATHERS sat down and wrote for me and you………. to be continued by Miss NO didnt make a Mistake Drug Felon. United States Veteran and Struggling Mother of 5 and notice I never aked you for a dime …………….. Neicey Thank you all who read this I never thought I would ever have the pleasure of reading how i feel .
Its sad that gays have constitutionally protected rights to be immoral: however, felons who have paid for their immoral behavior, have no rights. Perhaps all ex-felons should unite and fight for their rights as everyone else has. Hell, Ive known so-called, “Christians” who turn down ex-felons, regardless of their achievements and virtues. There needs to be an association for Ex-felons that is politically active.
I happen to be an ex-felon who spent ten years in prison for a first time offense. I happen to be black, male, and educated; however, none of my good works are remembered, and I am left unemployed, unwanted by society, and not given a chance to start my life again. It’s a shame that once you’re convicted, you are tried for life…unless you happen to be white. I hate to say it, but.. there are too many black men in prison who have received twice the sentene compared to his white american brother.
In general people need to realize in order for a felon to better itself they do desire a second chance and should not be penalize for life when only things are gonna get worse for them and their famlies who may not be in the position to help them financially so therefore the felon has no way to turn but break the law.What I like to see in new mexico and through out the country is for felons to be able to have the second chance because god don’t hold our mistakes for ever and do forgive us so why is it so hard for society to for give. Also the law need to chance for under age children as well in new mexico who’s targeted as well.
It makes complete sense to disenfranchise large proportions of the population. That way only the (responsible adults) will vote. the corrupt elite we have, stays in power in this way. People who are disenfranchised should wake up and realize that they have no stake in this slave system. Mass incarceration is the best way to bring back full slavery, and low labor costs, and still be within the bounds of the constitution.Voting won’t get you anything anyway. As most people in the U.S. are content to have millions of jobless non citizens in the U.S. who have no connection to the nation at large because at some time they will just be rejailed later and forced to work at slave wages. no unions, no vacations, just profit and more profit. Cheap goods for law abiding citizens(or those that don’t get caught and have good attorneys) And when the armed service gets shorthanded lots of cannon fodder to make rich folks even richer. So if your a felon (like me) too bad. You messed up, or you were messed up you are screwed for life. We can argue about if it should be that way or not, but it is that way now. It has never been much different that I can tell. There seems to be little we can or will do to change it. Look at history, and look for more ways to be fast tracked in to the criminal justice/injustice system. Be about your survival cause in the end that’s all you can have. Or kill yourself now! Life is shit! but I kinda like it anyways.
It makes complete sense to disenfranchise large proportions of the population. That way only the (responsible adults) will vote. the corrupt elite we have, stays in power in this way. People who are disenfranchised should wake up and realize that they have no stake in this slave system. Mass incarceration is the best way to bring back full slavery, and low labor costs, and still be within the bounds of the constitution.Voting won’t get you anything anyway. As most people in the U.S. are content to have millions of jobless non citizens in the U.S. who have no connection to the nation at large because at some time they will just be rejailed later and forced to work at slave wages. no unions, no vacations, just profit and more profit. Cheap goods for law abiding citizens(or those that don’t get caught and have good attorneys) And when the armed service gets shorthanded lots of cannon fodder to make rich folks even richer. So if your a felon (like me) too bad. You messed up, or you were messed up you are screwed for life. We can argue about if it should be that way or not, but it is that way now. It has never been much different that I can tell. There seems to be little we can or will do to change it. Look at history, and look for more ways to be fast tracked in to the criminal justice/injustice system. Be about your survival cause in the end that’s all you can have. Or kill yourself now! Life is shit! but I kinda like it anyways.