Why So Many Kentuckians Are Barred From Voting on Tuesday, and for Life
This article depicts testimonies from a couple men from Kentucky that cannot express their right to vote in this upcoming election because they are felons. Although they have completed their sentences, the state of Kentucky has stripped them of their civic duties and political rights. Some would say that they should not have the right to vote because these felons lost that privilege when they broke the law, but some say it is taking away a large number of votes that could impact how America’s government stands. Nearly 1 in 10 of Kentucky’s voting-age adults and 1 in 4 African-Americans are banned from their political right to vote due to a felony record.
I think this article captures an issue that we don’t hear about often as Americans, or I certainly don’t. You would think that the times of restricting voting rights are over for America that is known for its popular sovereignty, allowing the people to choose who runs our government. But is America truly a democracy if not even all people are allowed to vote? It is understandable why certain felons can have a restriction on voting for a certain period of time after their certain, but to completely ban and revoke the rights of people to engage in what is classified as a civic duty seems a little extreme. This event reminds me of the reform movements during the 19th and 20th century for people persisting to get a right to vote. It is weird how it took so long for African-Americans and women to get the right to vote, now it is a worry for felons, trying to expunge their crimes, if they’ll ever get to vote again.
Honestly I can see both sides of the argument for this one. On one hand, felons can honestly change as people and truly regret their crimes. Shouldn't these people, after already suffering the consequences, get to return to society and be able to carry out their civic duties? On the other hand, felonies are serious charges. While I am completely unaware of the background for each and every convicted felon in Kentucky, these people have committed serious crimes. It is unrealistic, or at least difficult, to evaluate every single felon and determine their likelihood of committing a felony again / not taking voting seriously, and judge based on that.
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