Voting Rights

An idea of democracy. Senators, “we let ex-convicts marry, own property and drive. They don't

lose their freedom of religion, their right against self-incrimination or their right to not have

soldiers quartered in their homes in time of war. But in many places, the assumption is that

they can't be trusted to help choose our leaders... If we thought criminals could never be

reformed, we wouldn't let them out of prison in the first place.” Steven Chapman from the

Chicago Tribune. Senators, it’s for the following two reasons that I give you today I urge you to

vote in affirmation/negation of this legislation for the following two reasons: One, societal

fairness, and two, I’ll be responding to the points of the negation/affirmation.

Firstly, Senators, societal fairness. According to Jeff Manza, Professor of Sociology and Political

Science at Northwestern University, “Denying prisoners the right to vote is likely to undermine

respect for the rule of law... Allowing prisoners to vote, by contrast, may strengthen their

social ties and commitment to the common good, thus promoting legally responsible

participation in civil society." This leads to the societal element of the constitution, Pamela

Karlan, Professor of Public Interest Law at Stanford University, stated that The Eighth

Amendment prohibits 'excessive' sanctions,' and demands that punishment for crime should be

graduated and proportioned to the offense'... Thus, the states that continue to exclude all

felons permanently are outliers. Most of all, according to Kimberly Kras, assistant professor

of criminology and justice studies at the University of Massachusetts, preventing felons even

“ex-felons from voting really says that, if you have committed a crime in the United States,

you can never be a full citizen again, even after serving punishment. That message suggests

that they are always second- or third-class citizens.

This is expanded by the Urban Institute reports that when people are reintegrated meaningfully in

our society, the chances that they return to prison are reduced and the public is safer.

Without the right to vote, ex-felons have less of a benefit or an interest in contributing positively

to our communities. Senators, being fully engaged in your community and having a voice in

what happens to you are vital connections to others in the community where connections can act

to reduce crime. Voting represents the sole idea of what it means to be a United States

citizen after all our country was built on the idea of representation.

Secondly, Senators, I’ll be responding to the points of the negation/affirmation.

A piece of paper, a pencil mark, a ballot, a choice, a voice, a hand, a vote. That is our future

and our current society and it’s time for us to take action and take a stand. Voting isn’t just an

option, it’s a choice between two things. Senators, we must affirm/negate. Thank you.