Should prisoners lose the right to vote?

[Atlanticatia]

In many countries, imprisoned people cannot vote - they're disenfranchised.

In the United States, over 5.3 million people each year are denied voting rights due to disenfranchisement. African Americans & Hispanics are overrepresented in prisons, and therefore a sizable portion of the overall Black & Hispanic population is unable to vote. Most states only restrict the vote for prisoners, however some states disenfranchise people who have been convicted of felonies for life. Only Maine and Vermont have no restrictions on voting. Many other countries also restrict voting rights.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony_disenfranchisement

I think that all people should have the right to vote, regardless of whether they are imprisoned. I also think that it's contrary with fundamental rights such as universal suffrage and equal protection under the law. The racial element makes it even worse. We're disenfranchising large portions of the African American & Hispanic population. Minority groups are often overrepresented in prisons, sometimes due to institutional racism (such as drug laws, racial bias, etc) and unfair statistics. Regardless of race, all people in prison and out of prison should have a right to vote, especially when our prison system over-imprisons and unfairly imprisons people. This means that many nonviolent offenders are being stripped of their right to vote, too. Prisoner disenfranchisement is unfair and racist, and contrary to fundamental human rights - incl. those guaranteed by the US constitution. Universal suffrage needs to be restored.

So, what does NSG think? Should prisoners have the right to vote?

[Vamtrl]

No, all prisoners should lose the right to vote while they're in prison.

[Greater Weselton]

Every adult should have the right to vote.

[Pandeeria]

As long as you're an official citizen, you should have the right to vote.

[Vallermoore]

Prisoners should lose the right to vote but not once they have served their sentence.

[The Fascist American Empire]

Only while still in prison should they be stripped of their "right." After they get out, have at it, "Show me the voting booth!"

[The Republic of Merrimont]

Lets enslave them as well. Oh wait. We already did.

[Talanzaar]

It would be interesting to see how campaigns manage to reach out to voters in prison in US states where prisoners can vote. I think they should be able to, it would be cool to see where prisoners lean when it comes to party-preference.

[Othelos]

Prisoners should lose the right to vote but not once they have served their sentence.

why?

[Araraukar]

If we're talking about USA as usually is the case with these things, then yes, they should lose the right to vote while in prison and they shouldn't be considered inhabitants of the county the prison is in, because large prisons fuck up all democratic fairness of the political system in that area/state.

If we're talking about prisoners elsewhere, they should be allowed to retain their voting rights.

[The New Sea Territory]

If we are going to keep up this facade that the state actually represents the people, shouldn't everyone be allowed to vote?

[The Republic of Merrimont]

If we are going to keep up this facade that the state actually represents the people, shouldn't everyone be allowed to vote?

My thoughts exactly.

[The New Sea Territory]

If we're talking about USA as usually is the case with these things, then yes, they should lose the right to vote and they shouldn't be considered inhabitants of the county they live in, because large prisons fuck up all democratic fairness of the political system in that area/state.

If we're talking about prisoners elsewhere, they should be allowed to retain their voting rights.

Perhaps prisons can only vote in state and national elections, since they don't really have anything to do with their county?

[Othelos]

If we're talking about USA as usually is the case with these things, then yes, they should lose the right to vote and they shouldn't be considered inhabitants of the county they live in, because large prisons fuck up all democratic fairness of the political system in that area/state.

If we're talking about prisoners elsewhere, they should be allowed to retain their voting rights.

if they're living there, and are citizens, how is that messing up representation?

[Araraukar]

if they're living there, and are citizens, how is that messing up representation?

I just woke up, language skills in a foreign language are lagging behind a bit. I fixed my original post already. I meant that they're considered the inhabitants of whatever county the prison is in, rather than where they actually are from. This is especially an issue with large state prisons, as they're basically profitable businesses in the States, and so can buy services from politicians that ensure more people are put in prisons.

[Aalnordhavn]

If you violate the law knowingly, you should be held responsible by forfeiting your rights as a civilian. Therefore, voting while incarcerated should not be a viable option.

[The Two Jerseys]

If we're talking about USA as usually is the case with these things, then yes, they should lose the right to vote and they shouldn't be considered inhabitants of the county they live in, because large prisons fuck up all democratic fairness of the political system in that area/state.

If we're talking about prisoners elsewhere, they should be allowed to retain their voting rights.

if they're living there, and are citizens, how is that messing up representation?

Let's say that the 666th Congressional District covers Klan County. The 500 white voters in Klan County overwhelmingly support the Republican candidate, I.M. DeLaw, and his "taxes are un-American/free guns for all/make shoplifting a capital offense" platform. The 1000 black inmates at Klansville State Penitentiary, however, all support the Democratic candidate, Shabazz Kilwhitey, and his "tax everything/confiscate guns/caviar and Rolls-Royces for prison inmates" platform.

Do you see where this is going yet?

[Othelos]

if they're living there, and are citizens, how is that messing up representation?

I just woke up, language skills in a foreign language are lagging behind a bit. I fixed my original post already. I meant that they're considered the inhabitants of whatever county the prison is in, rather than where they actually are from. This is especially an issue with large state prisons, as they're basically profitable businesses in the States, and so can buy services from politicians that ensure more people are put in prisons.

I don't see how that changes the fact that the prisoners are citizens, and are living there.

[Ralkovian Grand Island]

In many countries, imprisoned people cannot vote - they're disenfranchised.

In the United States, over 5.3 million people each year are denied voting rights due to disenfranchisement. African Americans & Hispanics are overrepresented in prisons, and therefore a sizable portion of the overall Black & Hispanic population is unable to vote. Most states only restrict the vote for prisoners, however some states disenfranchise people who have been convicted of felonies for life. Only Maine and Vermont have no restrictions on voting. Many other countries also restrict voting rights.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony_disenfranchisement

I think that all people should have the right to vote, regardless of whether they are imprisoned. I also think that it's contrary with fundamental rights such as universal suffrage and equal protection under the law. The racial element makes it even worse. We're disenfranchising large portions of the African American & Hispanic population. Minority groups are often overrepresented in prisons, sometimes due to institutional racism (such as drug laws, racial bias, etc) and unfair statistics. Regardless of race, all people in prison and out of prison should have a right to vote, especially when our prison system over-imprisons and unfairly imprisons people. This means that many nonviolent offenders are being stripped of their right to vote, too. Prisoner disenfranchisement is unfair and racist, and contrary to fundamental human rights - incl. those guaranteed by the US constitution. Universal suffrage needs to be restored.

So, what does NSG think? Should prisoners have the right to vote?

And then the Prisoners vote for the party that promises them maybe we'll look over some cases and release some inmates for good behavior or some other bullshit. While they are in Prison, they lose the right to vote. Once they're out of it, have at it.

[Nazi Flower Power]

In many countries, imprisoned people cannot vote - they're disenfranchised.

In the United States, over 5.3 million people each year are denied voting rights due to disenfranchisement. African Americans & Hispanics are overrepresented in prisons, and therefore a sizable portion of the overall Black & Hispanic population is unable to vote. Most states only restrict the vote for prisoners, however some states disenfranchise people who have been convicted of felonies for life. Only Maine and Vermont have no restrictions on voting. Many other countries also restrict voting rights.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony_disenfranchisement

I think that all people should have the right to vote, regardless of whether they are imprisoned. I also think that it's contrary with fundamental rights such as universal suffrage and equal protection under the law. The racial element makes it even worse. We're disenfranchising large portions of the African American & Hispanic population. Minority groups are often overrepresented in prisons, sometimes due to institutional racism (such as drug laws, racial bias, etc) and unfair statistics. Regardless of race, all people in prison and out of prison should have a right to vote, especially when our prison system over-imprisons and unfairly imprisons people. This means that many nonviolent offenders are being stripped of their right to vote, too. Prisoner disenfranchisement is unfair and racist, and contrary to fundamental human rights - incl. those guaranteed by the US constitution. Universal suffrage needs to be restored.

So, what does NSG think? Should prisoners have the right to vote?

More evidence that Vermont is morally superior to all other states.

Allowing states to take away people's voting rights is a privilege that is too easy to be abused.

[Nazi Flower Power]

If we're talking about USA as usually is the case with these things, then yes, they should lose the right to vote while in prison and they shouldn't be considered inhabitants of the county the prison is in, because large prisons fuck up all democratic fairness of the political system in that area/state.

So stop locking up so many people?

If we're talking about prisoners elsewhere, they should be allowed to retain their voting rights.

Why should it be different elsewhere than in the US?

[The Sarian]

Absolutely. While in prison, and on parole, you should not be granted the privilege of voting; I have no problem with former prisoners voting - but why should people who break the law get to vote on who decided them?

[Nazi Flower Power]

In many countries, imprisoned people cannot vote - they're disenfranchised.

In the United States, over 5.3 million people each year are denied voting rights due to disenfranchisement. African Americans & Hispanics are overrepresented in prisons, and therefore a sizable portion of the overall Black & Hispanic population is unable to vote. Most states only restrict the vote for prisoners, however some states disenfranchise people who have been convicted of felonies for life. Only Maine and Vermont have no restrictions on voting. Many other countries also restrict voting rights.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony_disenfranchisement

I think that all people should have the right to vote, regardless of whether they are imprisoned. I also think that it's contrary with fundamental rights such as universal suffrage and equal protection under the law. The racial element makes it even worse. We're disenfranchising large portions of the African American & Hispanic population. Minority groups are often overrepresented in prisons, sometimes due to institutional racism (such as drug laws, racial bias, etc) and unfair statistics. Regardless of race, all people in prison and out of prison should have a right to vote, especially when our prison system over-imprisons and unfairly imprisons people. This means that many nonviolent offenders are being stripped of their right to vote, too. Prisoner disenfranchisement is unfair and racist, and contrary to fundamental human rights - incl. those guaranteed by the US constitution. Universal suffrage needs to be restored.

So, what does NSG think? Should prisoners have the right to vote?

And then the Prisoners vote for the party that promises them maybe we'll look over some cases and release some inmates for good behavior or some other bullshit. While they are in Prison, they lose the right to vote. Once they're out of it, have at it.

If prisoners are a large enough voting bloc to have a significant influence, then we're locking up too many people.

[The Grim Reaper]

If prisoners are a large enough voting bloc to have a significant influence, then we're locking up too many people.

While I do agree with this, I don't know too much about the American incarceration or political system, so I do wonder that even if incarcerations were cut to a reasonable level in the States, doesn't America's incarceration system have a boner for centralization?

You guys tend to group up a /lot/ of inmates in prisons that make a significant amount of the population in local elections. If you stopped incarcerating so many people, I would assume that instead of many smaller prisons, you'd just shut down some and keep the biggest prisons.

So not many local governments would be affected, but a few would see huge swings based on prison population.

[Atlanticatia]

Prisoners could vote at their former address/constituency with an absentee ballot to avoid the large prison populations in small towns issue.