Where is it stated or implied in the Constitution that prisoners may be deprived of their right to vote?
After all, as far as I understand, they remain citizens.
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12 Answers
@stanleybmanly Good point!
They are still citizens, and shouldn’t lose their rights!
Oh, wait a minute…
What about their 2nd Amendment rights?
Are you saying that, even in prison, they should get to have their guns?
You do lose your rights. Your right to freedom, your right to pursue happiness, you lose all sorts of “rights.”
Response moderated (Unhelpful)
It’s a two part answer.
In most states, a felony conviction takes away your right to vote. No if you are going to be a criminal, keep your offenses to misdemeanors.
The constitution isn’t directly involved.
It’s covered by the 10th Amendment:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
They can apply to get their rights to vote back, in some states.
The 5th Amendment, provides for the removal of life, liberty and property though the due course of law. It doesn’t mention voting but doesn’t protect it either.
I’m in favor of changing this, to remove the allowance for the state to kill citizens, and to directly protect voting as well, since, in a republic, your vote should be as sacred as a your life.
We voted in Florida a couple of years ago, and they get their right to vote back once they serve their time. My governor tried to impede on the right by making them pay whatever money they owed to the state in full, I don’t remember exactly, but charity took care of it. The Democrats saw it as a poll tax and there was a big uproar.
Felons, not prisoners. Read the Constitution.
@SnipSnip it is not in US Constitutions, voters rights is up to each state.
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