Yes, they've committed a crime and are paying or have paid the price, but what is the justification to remove their right to vote? Regardless, they are still citizens, and besides age (which is necessary and reasonable) there should be no qualifiers to voting rights. I see this as a way to disenfranchise a large number of poor people and by extension black voters. In Canada, the right to vote is constitutionally protected for everyone, including those serving time in prison.
@ Punk Chik: You certainly sensationalized your answer. The vast majority of those in prison are serving time for drugs related offences. Isn't the penal system about reform and rehabilitation in addition to punishment. How is someone supposed to reform and improve themself if they're denied even the right to vote in addition to having limited economic opportunity?
@ Turtle: No kidding it's not Canada, and it's not Europe or Australia either. As for not giving a hoot, quit being so ignorant and uncultured. There's more to life than shooting rabbits with pellet guns.
@ Punk Chik: You certainly sensationalized your answer. The vast majority of those in prison are serving time for drugs related offences. Isn't the penal system about reform and rehabilitation in addition to punishment. How is someone supposed to reform and improve themself if they're denied even the right to vote in addition to having limited economic opportunity?
@ Turtle: No kidding it's not Canada, and it's not Europe or Australia either. As for not giving a hoot, quit being so ignorant and uncultured. There's more to life than shooting rabbits with pellet guns.