Voter Disenfranchisment Due to a Criminal Record

Abstract

The right to vote is a fundamental aspect of democracy, and it is essential that every citizen has equal access to this right. However, in the United States, millions of people are denied the right to vote due to their criminal record. This practice, known as felony disenfranchisement, has been a topic of debate for many years. While some argue that it is necessary to prevent criminals from participating in the democratic process, others believe that doing so is a violation of basic human rights. If a major tenant of a democracy is a citizen’s right to vote and participate in said government, then how can we deny returning citizens their right to vote? Yes, they violated the law and the unspoken social contract of the agreement between individuals to give up certain natural rights to enjoy the benefits of society. However, once they complete the court-imposed sentence, they should then be able to return to their previous status in society as a full citizen.