Response to ''why can't Ex-Felons vote Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Response to ''why can't Ex-Felons vote - Essay Example Loss of political voice is the worst type of oppression citizens may be exposed to. They are no longer able to choose the leaders they desire. In such states therefore, the statutes governing the right to vote should be amended so ex-felons regain eligibility to vote. This will restore the political voice of crime-hit districts. The restoration of rights to vote should not be left to depend entirely on the governor, as this will mean that not all ex-felons will be allowed to vote. Looking back in history, disenfranchisement laws were crafted to bar blacks with even minor criminal record from polls and this brings about the issue of racism. This limits blacks from exercising their right to vote and such laws should be made more reasonable so that even states populated by blacks do not lose their voice in American politics with time. In any nation that believes in democracy, ex-felons should be allowed to vote as this leads to bitterness and alienation. Sometimes these people have honestly transformed yet no matter what they do, they are not allowed to contribute to the politics of their nation. Such people end up going back to crime as life with the restrictions of an ex-felon is unbearable. It is only fair therefore if they are allowed to vote. This issue has been confused as partisan between the republicans and democrats, with each group having different views, as it is clear to them that restoration of voting rights to these people will change the political alignment. However, this should not be the case in a democratic nation. In the law of any nation, and this includes America, voting is a basic human right and not a privilege. This right essentially defines one as a citizen of a specific nation. When ex-felons are denied the right to vote, then they can no longer be described as citizens, they are therefore