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Proposal Would Restore Felons’ Voting Rights
September 20, 2015
A South Florida Democrat has proposed a constitutional amendment aimed at automatically restoring the voting rights of many convicted felons. Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, filed the proposal (SJR 192) for consideration during the 2016 legislative session, which starts in January. If approved by the Legislature, the proposal would go on the November 2016 ballot. The measure seeks to restore the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences. People with restored rights also would be eligible to hold public office. Automatic restoration would not apply to felons convicted of sexual offenses or homicide.
by The News Service of Florida
Comments
23 Responses to “Proposal Would Restore Felons’ Voting Rights”
@Kate-
England before the middle ages? Since when are we placing these people in stocks, or in rat infested dungeons…or worse yet, chopping off body parts? Please stay rooted in reality.
Anyway, yes this would be a boon for one party- the Democrats. Do I think that reformed felons should have a chance to vote again? Sure. Let them prove it first though. It definitely should not be automatic.
REGARDING:
“Taxation without representation. If someone cannot vote legally they cannot be taxed because they have no voice in the government i.e they can cast no vote. This was one of the foundations this great nation was built on.”
Fun to say but false.
Nothing in our law ties the right to vote with taxation. People below voting age pay taxes. People living in Florida but working in Alabama pay Alabama taxes. Nat Showalter pays income taxes wherever he goes with the Orioles but doesn’t get to vote in every state. Snowbirds pay property taxes and sales taxes in Florida but only get to vote in their official residence state, county, city.
What would be fun would be if everybody could vote wherever they paid taxes and proportional to the amount paid. (Who would want a Canadian who bought a pack of gum to vote in Century elections with an equal vote to those who paid thousands in taxes and live there?)
By rights, though, money received SHOULD be deducted from taxes paid and many convicted felons never pay anywhere near what they cost society.
David for justice
I know of ex-felons who have had their voting rights restored, so it can be done. I say, if an ex-felon WANTS to vote, then let them go through the process to get their rights restored. If they want it, they will do it. The simple truth is that most folks don’t vote, and certainly most folks who end up in jail for violent crimes don’t either, so the whole thing is probably a moot point anyway.
I vote and I agree that if felons have completed their obligation to society, then they should have the opportunity to vote as well. However, just like anyone else, they need to take care of the requirements to vote – the extra steps are simply a consequence of breaking the law to start with. No free passes!
As a reward for voting, lets put them on the fast track to being good citizens by moving them to the front of the line for jury duty.
@Jane; Our justice system and state and federal law are predicated upon the view that once a felon, always a felon. There are means where a felon can, by leading an exemplary life, and staying out of trouble can petition the Governor, and get their crime forgiven, and all their rights restored. The fact is, a very high percentage of felons are repeatedly caught involved in crime, and get arrested again and again. Jane, I guess you would have us restore all their rights upon release, then they could legally own and carry firearms, work in high security jobs, and do all the other things associated with being good, law abiding citizens.
Everyone automatically thinks the worst. I have a family member, first offense received a felony conviction due to possession of 1/2 of an oxycodone pill. This was a young person who made a stupid choice due to addiction. They have turned their life around and is in college with an extremely high GPA, working and is a productive member of society. This is not a party issue, it is a people issue. Some people made an error in judgment and did not hurt anyone but themselves. They are not a violent offender.
I do not believe that they should be restored immediately after sentence I believe they need more time after the sentence is finished to prove they are a good citizen say 2-5 years of doing the right thing. And I’m sorry a felon is a felon is a felon I don’t care if your a Drug Lord, A murder, or a Sex Offender what is good for one is good for all. The whole idea of use fear to manipulate the public for votes and creating sub cultures of disenfranchised people is ridiculous it violates constitutional rights.
Taxation without representation. If someone cannot vote legally they cannot be taxed because they have no voice in the government i.e they can cast no vote. This was one of the foundations this great nation was built on.
Its also a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and before you say anything the laws that strip away felons rights and establish certain felonies as sex offender due violate the constitution and do violate this Act because our own government has created a new race called felon and creed called sex offender.
Gees, you folks are brutal, you act like early England even before the middle ages.
Do you really, really see a problem with ex-felons being able to vote? I mean really? Taking responsibility and being aware enough to vote, you think felons should not have the same responsibility as you yourself?
Let’s not call them convicted felons anymore. Let’s just call them unregistered democrats.
Jimmy T. A thousand per week? They aren’t even in session half the year or more.
Chances are they weren’t very good citizens before going to jail. I’ld say, prove you voted before going to jail as a condition for restoring your voting right
My last comment is for you also Jimmy T. Keep drinking that liberal kool aid.
Jcellops just keep drinking that liberal kool aid. You do the crime you face the consequences point blank. That’s just how it is. Tired of these criminals complaining about everything and wanting all of this stuff.
Mac4977,
Absolutely not. There are mechanisms in place to restore your civil rights, as I’m sure you’re aware. The problem most of us have is, Senator Clemons wants it to be automatic.
I wonder what people think? I committed a felony when I was 18 years old. A kid at best. I served my time and have made great steps. I’m 38 now and an adult. I pay taxes. I keep a job and I don’t commit crime. I am a very productive member of society. Should I be denied all rights because I made a mistake as a child?
Great. Criminals voting for criminals…makes sense, it’s their peer group.
Jcellops,
How about the sexual offenders, and the ones convicted of homocide? Why would Senator Clemons discriminate against those two groups? If they’re released, haven’t they also paid their debt to society?
Hey Republican Jim, here is some reality for your backwoods country thinking. Most Americans commit a felony during their life and never get caught, or never even know that what they are doing is a crime to begin with. Our Federal Government creates over a thousand new laws each week, at a speed the citizens are not even able to keep up with. So, how about climbing down from your perfect perch and letting people who have FINISHED serving their punishment, get on with their lives. Our justice system has become a greedy for profit business, that needs to be knocked down, and rebuilt.
At least we would have known criminals running for office instead of them having to keep it a secret.
If you have served your time- and are trying to move forward in life by becoming a productive member of society, I think that this proposal is a good move. What exactly is the societal benifit of keeping ex-felons further disenfranchised? Negative reinforcement? No- decreased recidivism? No-I don’t see it..punishment? No- they served their time…the way I do see it is, they pay taxes -and, they are obliged ( as an American citizen) to abide by laws that are put into place by elected officials…I believe that if they have served their time and pay taxes they deserve to have a voice in their government.
let them vote while still in prison. We Democrats need more likeminded voters.
I do not agree with this at all. They committed a felony and part of the punishment is losing your right to vote. You do the crime you face the consequences.
I wonder how this would benefit the democratic party?
I wonder why republicans have not introduced such a bill?
Wonder upon wonder.