Should Felons Be Able to Vote? “We let ex-convicts marry, reproduce, buy beer, own property and drive. They don’t lose their freedom of religion, their right against self-incrimination… they can’t be trusted to help choose our leaders… If we thought criminals could never be reformed, we wouldn’t let them out of prison in the first place (Chapman, Steve).” Many believe that felons should be able to vote due to the fact that they served their time in prison and already received their consequence. When felons already served their time, they are told they have their “freedom”. Yet, they do not have the same rights they did before they were arrested. Felons have paid enough of a price by serving their assigned sentence which shouldn’t lead …show more content…

Many believe that it is racist to deprive them of the right to vote because the felon population is of a Black and Hispanic majority. This does not, however, prove that racism is to blame. More men commit the majority of serious crimes, and unfortunately, Blacks and Hispanics also commit a disproportionate amount of felonies, which is shown in victim surveys. Either way the felon either does or does not deserve their punishment, regardless of what race they are. Even though people may believe that voting doesn’t make someone responsible, if the study was done, then there is a possibility that there can be less people entering jail by committing crimes. Marc Mauer, executive director of the Sentencing Project and author of “Race to Incarcerate,” believes that in a democracy everyone's voice should count, no matter what their views or behavior. It is also believed that if the felon pays his or her taxes and contributes to society, why can they not have the right to vote? That is very true. Everyone is a human being and everyone makes mistakes. Whether some are more serious than others, there are those who deserve a second chance. Felons are still from this country and are bound by the same law as those who have never been convicted. If we are bound by the same law, we are bound by the same rights. Taking their right to vote is much similar to taking away their right of speech. The right of speech, as citizens