General Stock Ideas

[gfp927z]

SC, Looks like that was for ex-felons who did their jail time and were then released. Apparently under the Constitution, the matter is left up to each state to decide (see below).

It always seemed strange to me that just because someone spent some time in jail that they could be permanently stripped of the right to vote. Doesn't make sense to link the two, as long as you've done your time and are now free, you've paid your debt to society. I can see the restrictions on ex-felons buying a gun or serving on a jury, but if an ex-con wants to vote, that at least shows civic mindedness. And voting is such a basic right, up there with the freedom of speech, assembly, religion, etc.



>>> Both the original Constitution and the Fourteenth Amendment specifically delegate to the states the right to determine the qualifications of voters and to disqualify anyone who participates “in rebellion, or other crime.” Congress cannot override the Constitution through legislation and has no authority to restore the voting rights of felons for federal elections. The American people and their freely elected state representatives must make their own decisions in their own states about when felons should have their civil rights restored, including the right to vote. Requiring a waiting period and an application process is fair and reasonable given the high recidivism rate among felons. Any legislation passed by Congress taking away that power is both unconstitutional and unwise public policy. <<<


http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2015/02/felon-voting-and-unconstitutional-congressional-overreach