# Ever know anyone you thought shouldn't be allowed to vote? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 14, 2020, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087 "2020-08-14T14:05:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/21 "2020-08-14T21:37:02Z")
Yes, they should. Some state disenfranchised felons but they really shouldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/22 "2020-08-14T22:00:41Z")
Yes. Even the ones still behind bars. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/23 "2020-08-14T22:49:43Z")
There are competing ideas about whether inmates currently serving a sentence or felons who have been released should have the right to vote. I would be ok with denying the vote to a specific subset of those - persons convicted of voter fraud. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2020, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/24 "2020-08-14T23:40:15Z")
I dunno. Doesn’t horribly offend me that at least certain categories of convicts aren’t allowed to vote, but certainly should be allowed to after serving their time. I could probably be convinced one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/25 "2020-08-15T00:00:36Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > General question: should convicted criminals have the right to vote? Once they’ve served their time? Of course. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/26 "2020-08-15T09:30:29Z")
Every person physically present in the country (usa) should have ballot access, since they are subject to the laws and taxes, regardless of citizenship. The incompetent or small children can have their care-taker vote in their interest. No exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![LegendsofClear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/77aa72/32.png) [@LegendsofClear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LegendsofClear)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/27 "2020-08-15T09:42:35Z")
I think convicted criminals should have the right to vote, including while they are in prison. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/28 "2020-08-15T10:01:01Z")
Yes, whether still in prison or after release. I _might_ make an exception for those convicted of treason - at least I’d be listen to the argument. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Crap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.crap/32/3131_2.png) [@Dr.Crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Crap)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/29 "2020-08-15T10:59:36Z")
I’ve always thought that the minimum voting age should be whatever age I am. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/30 "2020-08-15T13:32:59Z")
I can’t agree with this one. Not how our system works and no good reason to change. The slow process of citizenship is not wonderful but I do think citizenship is the one requirement we should have. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/31 "2020-08-15T13:38:59Z")
The only place I would support the removal of voting rights is if you are convicted of election related crimes. It seems a suitable punishment. And even then, it’s a temporary punishment, not a ban, so once you’ve “served your time” you get your franchise back. We need _more_ voices to make democracy work, not fewer. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/32 "2020-08-15T20:12:31Z")
First, love the handle. Simple and elegant. Second, if I was the contentious type, it might be fun to argue for weighted voting by age. My suggestion wouldn’t be much like your idea, though. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/33 "2020-08-15T21:29:40Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > it might be fun to argue for weighted voting by age Given my own particular biases, I’d favor giving young people _more_ weight to their votes! I know a conservative/libertarian/weirdo who believes that there should be a _significant_ poll tax. You’d have to pay $500 or even $1,000 to vote. (That would certainly go a long way to reducing the number of “Mickey Mouse” write-ins…) ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/34 "2020-08-15T21:54:26Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Given my own particular biases, I’d favor giving young people _more_ weight to their votes! I don’t disagree. After all, the young will have to live with the consequences for longer than the old. Not sure exactly how that works, though. I do like the idea of rather than a bicameral house, having a mulitcameral house. Different houses that represent different demographics. Arrow’s theorem states that you will never make everyone be happy with any type of voting system, so you have different houses with different voting systems. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/35 "2020-08-15T21:55:30Z")
Yeah, the argument would be that young people have much more at stake. I would add that the nation could use a regular dosage of idealism in its governance decisions. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/36 "2020-08-15T22:05:47Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > **The incompetent or small children can have their care-taker vote in their interest.** No exceptions. The caretaker will simply vote as the caretaker sees fit. A Republican caretaker voting on behalf of a Democratic invalid would vote…Republican. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/37 "2020-08-15T23:02:44Z")
Yeah, like Iowa, which has a lifelong ban on voting if you have been convicted of a felony of any kind, although that has recently been rolled back a bit. > **[Voting Rights Restoration](https://governor.iowa.gov/services/voting-rights-restoration)** > > Learn how to request restoration of voting rights. People who have been convicted of a felony lose a lot of their civil rights, and I do believe that voting should be one of them BUT that this right should be restored if they have their other rights restored as well. I also do not approve of the ability to vote a straight party ticket; people should vote for individuals, one at a time. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/38 "2020-08-15T23:31:52Z")
Yeah, I know a few. They are easy to spot. They put stickers on their cars and signs in front of their homes. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/39 "2020-08-16T03:21:01Z")
The state has no right to deny the vote to criminals. The court sets the penalty for crimes – the state has no spelled-out power to arbitrarily add on additional penalties. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087/40 "2020-08-16T03:32:16Z")
It depends on the state. States may lawfully do all kinds of things to restrict the liberties of those convicted of crimes, even after release from prison if on parole, including as to voting, bearing arms, eligibility for public benefits, requiring the earning of a GED, staying away from other ex-felons, maintaining lawful employment, undergoing counseling, drug treatment or drug testing, reporting to local police for registration and not living near schools if convicted of sex crimes, etc. Art. I, Sec. 4 of the U.S. Constitution says, “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.” This has historically been interpreted as giving the states a great deal of leeway in determining who may vote, and how, consistent with other provisions of the Constitution, of course. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-know-anyone-you-thought-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-vote/918087.md?page=3)