GUEST BELI-BLOGGER LEE MCD: CONVICTED FELONS & THE VOTE

Many Americans don't think twice about the right to vote. In fact, less than half vote in presidential elections. To vote, you must be 18 or older and register with a mailing address & valid signature. Voting is a voluntary activity, just one of several ways to be a productive citizen. Other ways are working, raising a family, paying taxes, being charitable, obeying laws, being a volunteer, and respecting others.

Even if you do all those things, you cannot vote if you have been convicted of a felony. I am one of those persons. I plead guilty to a felony "leaving the scene of an accident" charge stemming from an October 2001 driving accident. I completed a 4-month drug rehab program in the MO Department of Corrections and am on probation for about 4 more years. Because of my status as a felon, I cannot vote. The voting board sent a letter to inform me of this. Once I complete probation, I can ask the governor for "executive clemency" which would restore my voting rights. This became possible only in the mid-90's when Bill Clinton signed such legislation into law. Prior to this, my voting rights would have been revoked permanently. In many ways, I am a responsible citizen: I am a taxpayer, I own a business, I am active in a local church, I am involved in political campaigns & causes, I am a member of the Junior Chamber & other civic groups, I give to charities, and I am a good neighbor. I have done these things all my life - it is a way of life for me. It's what my parents and other role models taught me to do. So, is it fair to deny me the right to vote while I am on probation? Is it right? Is it justifiable? Should I, Lee McDaniel, be able to vote --either now or in the future?

Whether you should vote while you are on probation, I think it should depend upon the crime. From what it sounds like, you were involved in an automobile accident, which you didn?t stop for, and that they found drugs ( For recreational use. ) in your car. For that I would say yes you should be allowed to vote. I think for the higher class of felonies ( In Connecticut they call them Class A and B felonies. ) that you should not be able to vote while on probation.
I think no one should be allowed to vote in jail. That it would be too easy to buy and sell your votes. Also in some towns the prison population might be larger then the regular population.

Felony crimes are typically crimes that are deemed significantly outside of the norm of acceptable behavior. The point of revoking one's right to vote is to deter citizens from straying outside the rule of law. The idea of making consequences harsh is to make the would-be perpetrator hesitate before commiting a crime. However, I don't think that the average citizen is aware of the restrictions to voting rights upon felony conviction. Therefore, the loss of the right to vote likely doesn't enter the mind of those about to commit a crime. So...why bother with the restriction?

When would-be criminals think about consequences, they think of jail time, probation, or required public service, not voting restrictions. That's if the would-be felon even stops to consider the consequences.

I firmly beleive that felons should suffer penalties for their indiscretions. Could we have voting rehabilitation programs as part of the rehab process...? Sure. Imagine, Civics for grown-ups. It could likely create a more knowledgeable citzenry. The program could be privatized, like driving class, and therefore become a revenue stream for local/state/federal governments - through program certification fees, etc.

I believe that one's rights should be limited as punishment. But, the society needs to provide a light at the end of the tunnel. We need to provide an area for growth when the punished are done with 'time out.'

Should you be able to vote while on probation? No. You're on probation, kid. You're learning how to be a good citizen again. You've been grounded and you have to live with the consequences of your actions. When your probationinary period is over...sure, vote early, vote often. Play the game at full speed after your release from the penalty box.

Are you joking!?? NO. You shouldn't be able to vote while on probation. Let me guess ... you didn't mean to leave the scene or those weren't your drugs. Come on. You play, you pay, period.

Personally I do think that you should be able to vote, even now while on probation. I think the sad thing about our legal system is that it really doesn't allow for individuality to determine these long-ranging punishments. I don't really understand the logic behind revoking voting rights for felons on probation or, as in the past, permanent revokation of that right/privilege. What do people fear? That felons will have irrational judgment? If that's the case, I think you could throw out over half the votes that will be cast next November. It's obvious that you would be an educated, cautious, and passionate voter. Much more so than most people I know. I should qualify that I don't think people currently residing in jail should be allowed to vote. I agree with the previous comment that the potential for abuse by buying/coercing votes is too high. But what, really, is the rationale behind taking this privilege away from convicted felons who have served their time and have reentered society? Kudos to Clinton for taking a step to allow a rehabbed citizen to regain this privilege.

Should you able to vote? absolutely...as someone who has known you for several years and is aware of your strong commitment to anything political or community related I think you paid your debt for your wrongs and you should not be further penalized. As of late, Citizens passionate about voting and making a difference seem to be an endangered species..allowing someone like you to vote is necessary...individuals who regularly engage in criminal behavior and are in and out of the corrections system and have no interest in politics to begin with are a totally different animal than someone who makes a bad decision amongst a great track record of community service, deep political involvement & consistent fundraising efforts. I also applaud Mr Clinton for signing this legislation into law.
Lets be realistic...politicians and felonies seem to go hand in hand these days (especially in Rhode Island) listen closely for my sarcastic chuckle.

Personnally, there is no reason that a person shouldn't be able to live their lives as normal as possible during the term of probation, but probation is still probation and in my opinion part of the conviction.

I beleive that a person should be active and do what is right during the probationary period; such as attend church and be active in their community, etc...that shows others that they have changed and become a different person and learned from their mistakes.

To get to my point, I don't think that a convicted felon should be able to vote until they have served their time completely (including the probationary period), but I do believe that people should have all the rights and privledges deserved after all time has been served.

And of course, I also believe that it should depend on what the conviction was in the first place, but that is a different story.