Should prisoners get the vote?

[htb24]

This is a pretty universal debate topic as all countries vote and all countries have prisoners. I am on the fence on this topic, I see good points on either side. What do you guys think?

 

[Quacker Jack]

This is a pretty universal debate topic as all countries vote and all countries have prisoners. I am on the fence on this topic, I see good points on either side. What do you guys think?

Honestly, I'd be okay with that. Like it or not, they are still American citizens (USA speaking, of course), and the impact of adding a small amount of votes isn't a huge one. Perhaps they could let anyone serving less than x years have a vote, while those with heavy sentences or who committed murder not?

 

[Vulture01]

I think there should be category based voting if you wish to allow prisoners to vote. I mean those who murder or commit sexual crimes against women & children should be absolutely striped from voting right where as for the rest casting a vote should be fine.

 

[Wizardl]

I don't see why not. Just because they're prisoners doesn't mean that their vote is necessarily going to be bad. It's not like there's going to be a president that 'abolishes all laws and sets all prisoners free' that will even run for office, let alone get a popular vote.

Besides, even if all the prisoners in the USA voted it's unlikely the outcome will change.

Also voting is a waste of time anyway, politicians hardly ever publicize their true intentions, so you never know what your voting for. Your vote also doesn't really make a difference, despite what people tell you.

 

[Allenafaith]

I think they should get to vote. They are still citizens even though they are being punished for a crime they may have committed, but they still should be able to vote like any other person

 

[Bossanova]

Unless they have committed a very serious or heinous crime, they should get to vote. They may be in jail, but that doesn't mean everyone in jail is a psychotic POS.

 

[Joshua Farrell]

I believe that prisoners do not give up every right that they have, so they should be able to vote, unless they committed a crime that is considered as very bad.

 

[Thomasss]

I don't see why not. For president, the Electoral College elects the president so I don't think having them vote would effect that. However as far as small elections such as town/county/state based, I think it could drastically change the vote depending upon how many inmates there is.

 

[MrDawn]

I don't see an issue with them voting or having that right. I'm fine with them voting, so no rant here. 🙂

 

[MasterA]

I guess it depends on the offense but I generally think people in prison shouldn't be able to vote because they clearly did something that is wrong and I can't see them making a good decision. I really don't care whether they get to vote or not but that is my opinion.

 

[Geoffrey]

I'm unsure on this issue, honestly. On one hand, as has been stated, prisoners are still citizens (most of the time) of the country they're in. But I lean more towards not letting them vote because of one reason: they aren't impacted by the results of the election.

Yes, prisons are government-operated and elected officials lead the government, but it's not like prisons are going to get better/worse depending on who is elected. In fact, I can see that not being true if prisoners did vote. Candidates might start doing things to get prisoner votes, which could be detrimental to the rest of us.

Prisoners are incarcerated and removed from society. If/When they are released, they should be allowed to vote as they are once again members of society. Not when they're in prison though.