The right to vote means different things to different countries – and states. To some governments, it is considered a fundamental human right. To others, it is merely a privilege as a driving license or a quiet neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world is yet to hold a standard view on this issue. In some territories, convicts are disenfranchised for life, while others allow felons to exercise their voting rights even in incarceration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One among such heavy-weight debates is a recent one between Democratic presidential candidates \u2013 Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg<\/a>. While Sanders argues for the preservation of felons’ right to vote<\/a>, Buttigieg argues against it.<\/p>\n\n\n
Many supporters of the protection of felons\u2019 voting rights have argued that losing a fundamental human right \u2013 as voting \u2013 should not be a punishment for crime. Among many others, here are some key points in their argument:<\/p>\n\n\n
Findings suggest that ethnic majorities are less likely to get jailed than their minority counterpart. For instance, Black-American males are five times<\/a> more susceptible to being imprisoned, than whites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many former prisoners start a new life after incarceration. Many, having realized their mistakes, take advantage of any available opportunity to reconnect with society and live as everyone does. Truth is, these people may well become our neighbors tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Considering this, you\u2019d most likely hope your next-door ex-felon is properly rehabilitated and rejoined in society. In psychology, Strain theory<\/a> posits that society\u2019s pressure helps individuals develop certain generally-acceptable behaviors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many convicts have kids below 18. And, of course, these kids are yet ineligible to represent their political interests. Ideally, their parents should automatically become their chief advocates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what happens when the parents have also stripped off their voting rights?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It means they cannot represent their political interest \u2013 let alone, that of their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The chances are that kids from parents with a criminal history are more susceptible to committing crimes, themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knowing that their parents participate in the voting process creates in them a positive mindset toward the political system and society at large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly, the argument for the protection of felons\u2019 right to vote comes with a counter-argument \u2013 that criminals should be punished by disenfranchisement.<\/p>\n\n\n
Here are common points raised by advocates for the disenfranchisement of felons:<\/p>\n\n\n
Many argue that crimes committed by individuals impact the entire society. Indeed, crime isn\u2019t cheap. It cost the government \u2013 of course, taxpayers \u2013 a fortune, yearly<\/a>, to keep convicts in jail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While some punishments end with jail time, some bear the repercussions for life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, in several states in the U.S, sex offenders<\/a> are barred from accessing defined proximity from playgrounds, schools, daycare centers, even after incarceration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mere threatening criminals with jail time may not be an effective deterrent to determined criminals. This thought is backed by the Marshal Project statistics<\/a>, which says 45% of federal inmates are rearrested within five years after completing a sentence. More disturbing is the Bureau of Justice\u2019s which places the figure at 77%, including State prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wrap Up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the words of Democratic Presidential Candidate, Bernie Sanders<\/a>, \u201cI think the right to vote is inherent to our democracy \u2014 yes, even for terrible people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The right to vote means different things to different countries – and states. To some governments, it is considered a fundamental human right. To others, it is merely a privilege as a driving license or a quiet neighborhood. The world is yet to hold a standard view on this issue. In some territories, convicts are … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":933,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n