Limitations Of Voting Rights

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The concept of voting is defined to be one of the most significant powers held by all individuals within a democratic form of government. The Fifteenth Amendment addresses the voting rights adhered to the citizens of America (Epps, theatlantic.com). Tracing back to the ratification of the Constitution, the Founding Fathers rooted the power concerning suffrage rights upon the independent states. Due to the states having the sole authority in establishing the laws concerning suffrage, restrictions were implemented that have evolved, but continue to be in existence within the democratic state of our country (Sidlow and Henschen 188-189).
Expansion of the voting rights within the United States can be defined as one of the most remarkable achievements …show more content…
Furthermore, these limitations implemented on felons can be traced back to the democratic foundation of America as women, poor, African Americans and felons were stripped of voting rights (McLaughlin, huffingtonpost.com) which still continues for felons today due to the strict enforcement of laws. Many Americans consider this to be a negative impact within the democracy as the exclusion of felons from political involvement brings about racial discrimination within the society (Sidlow and Henschen 171). Limitations on voting has led to the presence of racial discrimination as African Americans who are felons are on the top of the hierarchy in comparison to the rest of the population (Sidlow and Henschen 171). Due to which there is an imbalance within the voting system as a significant amount of individuals are being underrepresented within the democratic process. Furthermore, due to felon disfranchisement and the idea of racial discrimination, questions are being raised regarding who goes to the prison in United States based on its high incarceration rates nationwide (Greenhouse, nytimes.com). Disfranchisement not only impedes citizens of different races from voting but also, deprives other citizens of political rights involving suffrage. For example, excluding the poor or the people within minority groups from expressing their point of views regarding political affairs this leads to bias within the voting system (Sidlow and Henschen 171). As, not every individual is represented equally defeating the true purpose of a democracy, because the current situation is defined to be “patently unfair” (Sidlow and Henschen 171). In fact, many citizens or the federal courts within the United States would not approve of any restrictions enforced on rights mentioned within the First Amendment as they are classified to be the fundamental

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