Should prison inmates be allowed to vote?

Are Democrats thinking they are going to have trouble in the General Election again?

Here in Canada, a few years ago, they were given the right to vote again. I believe it may have been in response to a court challenge of some sort but I could be wrong.

Anyway, there was quite the hue and cry about it because the vast majority of people in the country felt that they should not get that right back. That they had forfeited rights like that when they broke the law.

Of course, the bleeding hearts all felt that it would help them feel more connected to the community, part of society and aid in their rehabilitation to be able to vote. I can't write in this forum what I feel about that load of hog wash.

I guess, ultimately, there are not enough of them to influence a vote one way or another so it really doesn't matter. Now, in the States where there are many many more in prison it may have some slight effect in some areas but I doubt it.

Just the same, they lost such rights as the right to vote when they became criminals so I don't feel they should be able to vote. Just my 2 cents.

Yours is a very interesting question with a unanimous response about how a criminal has offended & thus should be deprived of rights, including the right to vote.

However, what do you think about how the US Census enumerates incarcerated felons for statitical purposes; and, funds are allocated to the counties where the prisons are located without little or any beneift in terms of educational programs, etc., going to the prisoners.

Also, please note: All states do not prohibit ex-felons from ever voting again. After the terms of parole have been served, states primarily in the north, reinstate the former felons right to vote.

I have never given this much thought because most free people including the ones answering questions on this site as well as on your blog don't vote. Have you seen the numbers. It is disgusting how little people truly care about the democratic process.

i dont believe so they are in jail for a reason and clearly they should have taken the luxury of voting into consideration when they decided to commit a crime where they ended up in jail.

no. While they are in prison they do not have rights. They are separated from society for a reason.

No, in my opinion, if you can't follow the laws, you don't get the benefits and you don't get to make choices about things that affect others.

Convicted felons have that right stripped away when they are convicted. They can never get that right back unless they are pardoned or the conviction is overturned.

NO WAY i f they did a crime then they violated someones rights... which takes away the rights of themselves..

No they should not. While they are away from society they should not participate in such an important function.