Bernie Sanders wants to let felons to vote in prison - here's how it works in Vermont

[JonLP24]

The Vermont Department of Corrections policy is to "encourage inmates to vote"

When Sen. Bernie Sanders said this week that even "terrible people" should be allowed to vote, he summed up Vermont's longstanding law on inmate voting.

Vermont and Maine are the only states where people convicted of felonies never lose their right to vote — even while living behind bars — according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

(Snip)

Advocates: Voting in prison keeps inmates involved
Tina Hagen, a senior investigator at Disability Rights Vermont, said that in recent years the Department of Corrections has taken proactive steps to inform inmates about their voting rights. The process is much smoother compared to 15 years ago, she said.

"I think they feel like it keeps them part of the community," Hagen said in a telephone interview.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.burlingtonfreepress.com/amp/3549947002

Link to tweet

[JonLP24]

1. SHOULD CONVICTED FELONS LOSE THE RIGHT TO VOTE?

At least six million United States citizens cannot vote in the U.S. because they have been convicted of a felony, but there is a growing movement to change that.
BY KIMBERLY R. KRAS , AUG 6, 2018

Losing the right to vote is among numerous other consequences of being convicted of a crime. This so-called "civil death" suggests that person is considered dead to society. The larger political consequence is a lack of representation in government of a large group of citizens who are largely poor and people of color.

I study the impact of being convicted on individuals and communities. States have a variety of rules and regulations when it comes to voting rights and felony convictions. In some states, when a person is convicted they are barred from voting until they successfully complete prison, probation, or parole. But in 12 states, people convicted of felonies are barred from voting for life.

(Snip)

Florida has historically played an important role in American elections. Yet roughly 10 percent of Floridians can't vote because they have been convicted of felonies. Research suggests that, had these Americans been able to cast their vote for president in the 2000 election, Florida would have been a blue state. Studies show that ex-felons largely vote Democrat, and in this case would have made an impact in a presidential election.

(Snip)

In research I conducted, and headed by professors Beth Huebner and Timothy Bynum, we spoke with people returning from prison about how their felony conviction affected their life after release. One participant whose name is protected under a confidentiality agreement, stated: "Not being able to vote restricts our voice."

Restoring voting rights signals to all citizens that those who have served their time for a past crime can participate in a key mechanism of civic engagement: voting. Participating in civic life is associated with reductions in recidivism, so an inclusive approach to democracy can only strengthen the political process. That's because the interests of more Americans, especially those historically silenced, will be heard through their vote.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/psmag.com/.amp/social-justice/should-felons-lose-their-right-tov

[Doitnow]

2. Did anyone else notice how both CNN and MSNBC neglected to

later include the other half of Sanders' statement about his thinking on allowing felons to have the right to vote when he expressed the opinion---- that it could easily become a slippery slope to start denying that right to other members of society on some whim or other----think Republicons and how they've behaved.

Isn't it true that members of that audience on CNN volunteered the questions, but the questions were selected by CNN to be given to which candidate? All the others should have had to answer that one. Just my opinion.