Should Felons Be Abolished Essay

Throughout history there have been many laws restricting certain people from voting. Almost all of these laws have been abolished, however, the laws restricting felons from voting are still in place in most locations. Felons should have their voting rights restored to them after being reintegrated into society for a period of time

Felons have server their time, and if they are deemed fit re-enter society, they should have the right to vote. Part of the reason felons have their rights removed is due to the instant assumptions that these people cannot be good people. In the article Felon Disenfranchisement Is Anti-Democratic the author states “modern support for felony disenfranchisement is often based on negative assumptions about how one's …show more content…
Another reason these laws should be abolished is because these laws were formed to prevent ethnic groups from voting. Nelson stated “A 1906 report quoting the former Virginia state senator carter glass forecast that voting laws [passed in 1902 would “ eliminated the darkey as a political in this state in less than five years, so that in no single county in the commonwealth will there be the least concern felt for the complete supremacy of the white race in the affairs of the government.”” (Felon Disenfranchisement Is Anti-Democratic, 6) These laws were only put into place to oppress minorities and it is very unconstitutional. Continuing to use these laws will only help to strengthen racism and prejudice in the states and cities they are being used in. A third reason these laws should be looked at to be changed is the fact that voting is a basic right of the United States citizen, therefore those who have had felony charges and been