https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1 After being convicted of a felony, there are many rights that individuals are stripped of. One of these things being the right to vote. en-us 2021-07-19 16:27:43 UTC 2021-07-19 22:49:28 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f1fa-1f1f8.png rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1654920629 Though the right to have a say in political decisions is a human right laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, throughout the United States, different states have vastly varying policies on whether or not felons have the right to vote. In some states, once you're charged with a felony and incarcerated, you immediately lose all right to ever vote again while in others, the right to vote is never taken away, even while incarcerated.]]> 2021-07-19 16:32:01 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1654920629 rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1654933799 Of all 50 states, only two states and the District of Columbia never take away an individual’s right to vote when charged with a Felony. Individuals in these states are still able to voice their opinions and use their right to vote even while incarcerated. Considering that those charged with Felonies will still feel the effects of those policies and politicians put in office, it seems unfair and violates the rights of these individuals affected. I believe that all states should have the same policy about voting, specifically that all individuals who are charged with felonies should never lose their right to vote, even while incarcerated. ]]> 2021-07-19 16:48:18 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1654933799 rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655012185 Having a felony already leaves individuals with a lifelong mark on their record which can stop them from getting access to many things. These things include the right to own/purchase guns, access to some public assistance, the right to serve on a jury, and many more. The policies on what is taken from these individuals vary from state to state which I feel shows a lack of fairness and clear reasoning for why certain rights are taken away. Through the links and resources I’ll be sharing, I hope you’ll understand the reasons in which I believe that felons should have the right to vote, throughout their sentences and immediately after being discharged.]]> 2021-07-19 18:22:57 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655012185 rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655016883 As previously mentioned, the laws on where felon voting is legal varies from state to state. This link shares a great summary and table of the laws in each state. For those who are curious, Michigan is one of the states that grant immediate reacess to voting rights after release.]]> 2021-07-19 18:29:58 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655016883 rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655022004 This is a great resource for Social Workers to be able to share with any individual concered about their right to vote. This resource has updated information about each state and by answering just a few questions, you are able to see if you qualify. With all the certain restrictions, it van be difficult to know all the rules. If you can vote, it even gives a link directly to where you can register. ]]> 2021-07-19 18:36:12 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655022004 rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655027151 In 2006, the average length served for a felony charge was 3 years served in state prisons or 6 years in federal. Within a 6 year sentence, 6 annual state votes, 3 congressional votes, and one presidental election would have been missed. All of which are elections that would likely impact the life of an individual both while inside and outside of the prison. Individuals in prison systems are greatly affected by the outcomes of election at all levels and considering their lives are being discussed, they should be able to have some voice on who is elected. ]]> 2021-07-19 18:44:36 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655027151 rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655030746 The idea of stripping those convicted of crimes dates back to the 1865. At the time, it was written up as broad felony disenfranchisement laws. This meant that by throwing people of color into prison, they would be released and stripped of all of their rights, leaving them without a voice and forced to work for others. One in 16 African Americans have been stripped of their voting rights in this way. A striking quote from the article states, "What is the result of this history? Black Americans of voting age are more than four times as likely to lose their voting rights than the rest of the adult population. One of every 13 Black adults is disenfranchised. In some states like Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and, until recently, Florida, one in five Blacks have been disenfranchised. In total, 2.2 million Black citizens are banned from voting. Thirty-eight percent of the disenfranchised population in America is Black." ]]> 2021-07-19 18:50:54 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655030746 rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655064287 Within the past 25 years, there are many states which have changed their laws regarding the voting regulations for individuals with felons. Since each state is able to make these laws their own, it can be very complicated to keep up with who can and cannnot vote. Individuals who have been released from prison and are unaware of the recent changes may still be wasting their votes. Other are being forced to pay thousands of dollars in fines before being granted the ability to vote. The impacts of these laws are long lasting and continue to keep people down and silencing their voices. ]]> 2021-07-19 19:45:53 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655064287 rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655070610 This article covers information on the issue of having to pay fines after serving sentences to be able to vote again. In some states that have regiven their convicts with the right to vote, there have been circumstances left that are continuing to stop then from using their voices. With limitations on jobs avalible to individuals with a record and the high fines that individuals are facing, this barrier feels like just another way to keep individuals back from expressing thier voices. The sad reality of our country is that even giving people the right to vote comes with additonal barriers that are too large to overcome for many. ]]> 2021-07-19 19:57:16 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655070610 rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655078762 As Social Workers, we need to stay up to date on projects happening in our community and ways in which we can support movements in giving individuals access to their rights again. With only two states having no restrictions to voting rights, there's high odds that your state representatives need to hear from you about making better progress on this issue. By following the link below, the process is simple on how to write to and contact your senators about the issue. They will collect a few pieces of information from you to curate a letter to your senator demanding change on this critual issue. Please use this link to have your voice heard and share it with others to help in the movement of giving people thier rights back.]]> 2021-07-19 20:12:52 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655078762 rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655144734 NASW agrees that to limit the right for individuals to vote due to a felon is a voter discrimination that cannot be tolerated. It's a voter depression and is being used the political parties to favor themseleves. With 5.2 million people being affected by this restriction, we've seen in recent elections that this amount of people is enough to change the outcome of an election. Being educated and reading up on changes like these will help yu better advocate for those you serve. We as social workers often deal with very challenging policy changes and by providing those they effect with the power to use their voice is exactly what we aim to do in our profession. No one should be left voiceless when the votes will directly effect them and their lives.]]> 2021-07-19 22:20:47 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655144734 rgraver00 https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655150040 The right to vote and participate in political things is a human right. To take away the right to vote from those convicted with a felony is a huge cut to individuals and disproprtionatly affects the African American population. This is one of the many ways that systematic racism lives in our country and continues to make life more difficult to individuals. As social workers we need to work to continue this effort of reinstating the right to vote to those who have lost it and keep individuals up to date about current laws regarding this. People with lived experiences are being the ones held back from voting on what should happen in prison and individuals with felonies are just a likely to be affected by decision of policy makers as any other individuals. Felonies rage from all different types of crimes and have various length of sentences. To strip someone of the right to speak for themselves is wrong and goes directly against the Universal Decleration of Human Rights. ]]> 2021-07-19 22:31:09 UTC https://padlet.com/rgraver00/4kgmcx1nmcrx8dz1/wish/1655150040