Tanya Dugree-Pearson: "Disenfranchisement - A Race Neutral Punishment for Felony Offenders or a Way to Diminish the Minority Vote."
Dugree-Pearson observes the discriminatory influence of disenfranchisement laws. She points out that one-third of disenfranchised voters are African American men, which is a much higher proportion than their prevalence in the general population. Although ex-felons can apply to restore their voting rights in several states, Dugree-Pearson purports that they are often either uninformed or lack the resources to restore their voting status. To reinforce this theory empirically, she presents the example of Florida, which she claims is “responsible for one-third of the disenfranchised population (Dugree-Pearson 382). …show more content…
Additionally, the onerous process takes about two years, which is similar to those of many other states, and some states do not even allow restoration of suffrage upon completion of sentence or parole. Dugree-Pearson also argues that these laws are unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause because they “fence out” a section of the population despite not providing a “compelling governmental interest” to do so (Dugree-Pearson 388). She specifically presents arguments against disenfranchisement laws preventing voter fraud, preventing changes that weaken criminal justice law, and the claim that felons are uniquely incapable of making rational voting decisions. She reviews literature …show more content…
First, she demonstrates the difficulty of enfranchisement for ex-felons in states that even allow it. Then, she refutes possible legal arguments by examining the lack of evidence supporting them. Her first argument is consistent with Bloom and Wood’s observation that the influence of disenfranchisement is understated due to the convolution surrounding regaining the right to vote. Dugree-Pearson’s claim that ex-felons do not have the time or resources to restore their voting rights is another form of Bloom and Wood’s concept of de facto disenfranchisement policy. These sources are included to contrast the law in theory with the law in practice, which broadens the impact of African-American influence in political participation and public policy. Finally, the gradual dissemination of her refutation of justified causes for felon disenfranchisement helps lead to Perez et al.’s description of gradual bipartisan
Dugree-Pearson observes the discriminatory influence of disenfranchisement laws. She points out that one-third of disenfranchised voters are African American men, which is a much higher proportion than their prevalence in the general population. Although ex-felons can apply to restore their voting rights in several states, Dugree-Pearson purports that they are often either uninformed or lack the resources to restore their voting status. To reinforce this theory empirically, she presents the example of Florida, which she claims is “responsible for one-third of the disenfranchised population (Dugree-Pearson 382). …show more content…
Additionally, the onerous process takes about two years, which is similar to those of many other states, and some states do not even allow restoration of suffrage upon completion of sentence or parole. Dugree-Pearson also argues that these laws are unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause because they “fence out” a section of the population despite not providing a “compelling governmental interest” to do so (Dugree-Pearson 388). She specifically presents arguments against disenfranchisement laws preventing voter fraud, preventing changes that weaken criminal justice law, and the claim that felons are uniquely incapable of making rational voting decisions. She reviews literature …show more content…
First, she demonstrates the difficulty of enfranchisement for ex-felons in states that even allow it. Then, she refutes possible legal arguments by examining the lack of evidence supporting them. Her first argument is consistent with Bloom and Wood’s observation that the influence of disenfranchisement is understated due to the convolution surrounding regaining the right to vote. Dugree-Pearson’s claim that ex-felons do not have the time or resources to restore their voting rights is another form of Bloom and Wood’s concept of de facto disenfranchisement policy. These sources are included to contrast the law in theory with the law in practice, which broadens the impact of African-American influence in political participation and public policy. Finally, the gradual dissemination of her refutation of justified causes for felon disenfranchisement helps lead to Perez et al.’s description of gradual bipartisan