http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/opinion-calls-for-virginia-governor-to-restore-voting-rights-to-felons-r-1262720087

Hopefully Tim Kaine will restore felons voting rights and bring us in line with the rest of the country. Thoughts?

Ant

It is appalling that they have been able to get away with this for so long. 

It is appalling that they have been able to get away with this for so long. 


it's amazing any of the politicians can still vote in that state...

heck, even a DUI can end up erasing your ability to vote.  That's a felony conviction (or at least it is in most states, maybe not in VA)

it's amazing any of the politicians can still vote in that state...

Pretty much...

I think ONLY felons should be allowed to vote.  They're the only ones qualified to judge the character of politicians!
:P

It is appalling that they have been able to get away with this for so long. 


Getting away with what?  There is plenty of established legal precedent for convicted felons to be denied priveleges and prior rights due to their achievement of a felony conviction, and the precedent goes back for centuries.  It has been upheld any number of times by Supreme Courts at the state and federal levels.

(Note: In the Federal system a felony is designated as any offense that can get you a year or more in the slammer, regardless of what actual sentence the judge happens to bestow upon you).

Felons are not allowed to possess firearms, even if their conviction did not involve violence or firearm offenses.  Convicted sex offenders have to sign up for the registry.

As Beretta used to say, "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.  Don't do it."

Side note... here in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, DUI does not become a felony until you're on your third conviction.

VA tried to make 1st time DUI a felony, but I don't think they suceeded in passing that. 3rd time is now though.


Getting away with what?  There is plenty of established legal precedent for convicted felons to be denied priveleges and prior rights due to their achievement of a felony conviction, and the precedent goes back for centuries.  It has been upheld any number of times by Supreme Courts at the state and federal levels.

True, but the right to vote is a gimme in 48 other states once a felon completes a prison sentence or probation/parole. Only in VA and KY do people with felony convictions have to petition the governor to get their rights restored. It's an archaic and antiquated system. Not having the right to vote but still being taxed like everyone else is hardly fair.


(Note: In the Federal system a felony is designated as any offense that can get you a year or more in the slammer, regardless of what actual sentence the judge happens to bestow upon you).

Felons are not allowed to possess firearms, even if their conviction did not involve violence or firearm offenses.  Convicted sex offenders have to sign up for the registry.


The SOR isn't worth the hard drive space it occupies. One hardly needs to be convicted of a felony to be put on it. It's the 21st century version of the Scarlett Letter.

If one is dangerous, they need to be locked away. If not, or they have done their time, then they should have the same rights as everyone else.

Ant

If one is dangerous, they need to be locked away. If not, or they have done their time, then they should have the same rights as everyone else.

Ant


Very good point...

As Beretta used to say, "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.  Don't do it."
Wasn't that "Baretta" with Robert Blake.  Don't have to mention irony. 

I don't agree with lifetime disenfranchisement for felony conviction.  Once you've paid your debt to society, you should be allowed to rejoin society.  Sex offender registries are a little different philosophically. 


Side note... here in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, DUI does not become a felony until you're on your third conviction.


By the time of your third DUI conviction, you've probably been out driving drunk 100 times, and it's only a question of time before you kill somebody. 
::)

Getting away with what?  There is plenty of established legal precedent for convicted felons to be denied priveleges and prior rights due to their achievement of a felony conviction, and the precedent goes back for centuries.  It has been upheld any number of times by Supreme Courts at the state and federal levels.
\


Once anyone serves his/her time they should be allowed to vote.  The aren't going to take a dimpled chad and use it as a weapon.  It is a vote, not a WMD.