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The history of felon disenfranchisement has created a legacy of systemic inequality that continues to influence todays policies. Many current laws are rooted in past practiced that disproportionately targeted marginalized communities, leading to ongoing disparities in voting rights. This history has fueled advocacy for reform, pushing for policies that promote automatic restoration of voting rights and challenge discriminatory practices. As a result, todays discussions around voting rights are heavily shaped by the need to address these historical injustices and create a more equitable democratic process.

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Prohibiting felons from voting can disproportionately affect certain groups, especially marginalized communities. This creates a cycle of voices being silenced in the democratic process, reinforcing existing inequalities. Additionally, in can lead to underrepresentation of these groups in government, making it harder for their need to be addressed. Ultimately, this exclusion perpetuates systemic issues an hinders progress toward equality.

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Yes, all citizens regardless of their criminal history, have fundamental right to participate in government decision because democracy is built on the principle of representation. Excluding individuals based on past actions undermines the vales of rehabilitation and second chance. Furthermore, everyone has a unique perspective and experiences that can contribute to more informed and equitable policymaking. Ensuring that all voices are heard fosters a sense of community and accountability within the government.

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I believe that all U.S. citizens, regardless of their criminal history should be able to have a say in government decisions. As those formerly incarcerated have served their time, I believe they've done their part, and are now able to return back to society and do their part as a citizen--which is vote.

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Not all crimes are equal, they should be judged, and be treated depending on their crimes.

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Voting right should be restored as part of reintegration into society. Whether it is important to give all citizens the rights to vote, also it promotes the rehabilitation.

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All citizens should have the right to vote because the constitution strongly states all citizens should contribute their vote, also vote is fundamental to democracy.

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in my opinion I would agree and disagree only reason is there mindset/thinking is not like a normal civilian they might only vote for something that will benefit them and not are econmy and they will be selfish with things like that

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I think that 100% should not be able to vote only reason they just got fresh out there mindset is still in from being inside the cell they don't know what's going on in the outside world so I think they should not be able to vote

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Severity of crimes also should be a factor in terms of voting. If a more serious crime is done like murder, more time should be taken away, as well as time from being able to vote. Whereas with a less severe crime, less time is taken to restore voting access.

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Voting rights should be restored after you have done your time to society, and probation, parole, etc. Once your full sentence is completed, voting rights can be restored like many states already have it.

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It strengthens democracy. It shows that the say you have in your government doesn't waver as long as you live beneath it, which makes the public more trustful of the government and the impact their voice has in it.

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I believe that all citizens no matter what should have the right to vote and have a say in the government. It is in the constitution that everyone should be treated equal so how is it equal if we limit the amount of epople who have the right to say who rules our country, etc.

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Yes. If the time served is the punishment, then their punishment has been served. It doesn't make sense to decide that their punishment should continue, If they've done something deserving of a lifelong punishment or revoking of rights, then why aren't they just given a life sentence? Once their dues have been served, they deserve to become a normal member of society, or else none of their punishment had any meaning.

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All citizens deserve a say in our government as is implied by democracy. The government affects the people, therefore the people need to be able to affect the government. Every one of them-- or else, who's to say that our right to vote is inalienable? If some of us can't vote, then its not the entire people who have a say. People turn to crime for so many reasons, poverty being one of them. Should someone who's experienced poverty so severely that they had to break the law to make ends meet, by for example selling drugs or otherwise, not have a say in the governments economic policies? Obviously there is gratuitous, selfish crime, but the label of a felony doesn't account for that. Felons, regardless of the reason they committed a crime, or the nature of their crime, can't vote once that label is placed.

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Voting shouldn’t be restored and losing the ability to vote is a justifiable consequence after committing a felony. After committing a crime demonstrates a disregard for the law and societal norms. Losing the right to vote serves as a consequence of their actions, reflecting the belief that individuals who break the law should not have a say in shaping the laws that govern society.

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Voting rights should be restored to someone after serving their time in jail. It is important that they feel a sense of community/ normalcy and they shouldn't be stripped of rights when trying to live a normal life after.

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All people deserve the privilege of voting- it allows them to feel as a part of the nation as those who did not have to serve time for previous crimes.

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I believe there should be a judgement on there rights Because there should be different consequences for someone that has killed someone and someone that got caught speeding

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I feel like it depends on the crime bc if someone did something to endanger people then they shouldn’t be able to vote bc who knows if they won’t do it again. But like if it’s not a serious crime then they should be able to vote bc it’s still their right.

-Abby Anguiano

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Yes, minority groups are affected by disenfranchisement since racial injustices continue to linger everywhere. White felons are given numerous other opportunities and second chances to recover and adjust to their normal lives. On the other hand, it is more difficult for racial and ethnic minorities to do the same, leaving them various disadvantages in civic engagement.

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Voting rights should be allowed for all citizens, no matter criminal history. Even felons live in the United States, and for an actual democracy, their right to vote shouldn't be hindered. Serving time for a crime is enough of a punishment, and life after incarceration should not be impacted in that way. Also, other perspectives on laws ensures that they are indeed fair, which helps improve governmental decisions.

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Felons voting rights should be automatically restored after serving their time. It doesn't make sense to keep their rights stripped (unless maybe for a serious crimes, but then they may be on a life sentence anyway). If a felon is released from prison, they should be able to start life with a clean slate, and have voting rights restored.

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I believe the voting rights should be restored as a part of reintegration into society because it can give the individuals sense of purpose and feel like they are actually part of society by fulfilling a civic duty.

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Every citizen in the United States doesn't matter who they are, what race or even a criminal history, they should have a say in government decisions such as voting. I say this because it is said that the right to vote is fundamental to democracy. Taking away the right to vote can affect and prevent marginalized groups. It is back up by the constitution in the 14th and 15th amendment that the idea of voting is a fundamental right that should not be denied unjustly. In contrast though some felons that have committied a serious crime it should be justified that they should lose certain civic privileges including the right to vote.

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In my opinion I believe that people who have committed serious crimes should NOT be able to regain their rights or have a say in government decisions. I believe that this is right since they need to learn from their mistakes and there has to be a consequence to their actions. I think that if there is no consequence or limits to their actions then there is nothing to stop or scare those people from doing it again. All in All I believe that if citizens with a serious crime history should not be able to have a say in government decesions for our own safety and so there is a fence / wall to stop these crimes from happening again.

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I believe that after felons serve their time, they should be able to make government decisions such as voting. I feel this way because I believe that voting is a right and privilege that everybody should be able to participate if they are no longer serving their sentence. Everybody is human after all so taking the rights away from certain groups of people will create inequality and will result in unfairness in votes. I also believe that it is against the 14th and 15th amendment to deny an individual the right to vote because it is a fundamental right.

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I believe that felons should have the right to vote after they have served their sentence and consequences. Whether voting is a right or privilege after felons serve their time they should be allowed the chance back. Revoking the right conflicts the idea of democracy, where every voice matters and counts. The map in the slides show that most states agree upon release that the voting rights restores.

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I feel that prisoners should be able to vote after their sentence but not during because they are being punished for their crimes.

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Should voting rights for felons be a state decision, or should there be a nationwide standard?

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Does prohibiting felons from voting disproportionately affect certain groups and reinforce systemic inequalities?

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Should voting rights be restored as part of reintegration into society, or is losing the right to vote a justified consequence of committing a crime?

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How does society’s perception of crime and punishment shape voting laws for felons?

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Should all citizens, regardless of their criminal history, have a say in government decisions?

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Should voting rights be restored only after serving a sentence, or should felons be able to vote while in prison?

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Should felons have to apply to regain voting rights, or should those rights be automatically restored after serving their sentence?

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Does allowing felons to vote threaten public trust in the electoral system, or does it strengthen democracy?

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Should all felons be treated the same, or should the severity of their crime determine voting rights?

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How does the history of felon disenfranchisement impact today’s policies?