2. The ProblemThe Problem There are approximately 5.3 million people who cannot vote due to current state voting laws Four states (IA, FL, KY, VA) do not allow a convicted felon to vote ever again Two states (ME, VT) allow inmates in their prison system to cast ballots Every other state is in between these two extremes

3. Current Laws

4. Current LawsCurrent Laws

5. For Felony Disenfranchisement The Constitution Article I, Section IV Under Section 2 for the 14 th Amendment, “those who participate in rebellion or crime” may have their voting rights removed The severity of the crime necessary for such removal is not specified, leaving it up to each individual state (10 th Amendment) Punishment When sent to prison, basic rights are stripped- that is your punishment Privacy, Free Speech, purchasing weapons, etc… Judgment Precedence Children & Clinically Insane can’t vote- their judgment isn’t trusted

6. Against Felony Disenfranchisement Constitution 8 th Amendment rules out “cruel and unusual punishment” Aren’t most rights restored after sentence is completed? Article I, Section IV also allows Congress to make any changes to voting laws they deem necessary Is it illegal? Voting Rights Act of 1965 removes discriminatory voting laws Of the 5.3 million people currently disenfranchised, 2 million are African American Nationwide: 8% of African American population, compared to 2% of White Population 34% of African Americans in Iowa are disenfranchised (highest rate in the nation)

7. Mediation States shouldn’t control who votes in federal elections. Congress should use their power under Article I, Section IV to create a federal voting law For state elections, current laws will stay the same Those convicted of a felony will not be able to vote while in prison Upon release from prison, right to vote is restored 13 states and District of Columbia already practice this law

8. Why? Prisoners deserve to be punished for their crime, and rights should be taken away However, when released from prison, they are free Can buy alcohol, peacefully protest, get a job, etc… Current laws are not illegal There are 15 times more men in prison than women. Is that sexist? Of course not! The Constitution is very vague and open to interpretation This finds a middle ground between the 8 th and 14 th Amendments

9. Works CitedWorks Cited "Constitution of the United States." U.S. Senate. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. "Felony Disenfranchisement." The Sentencing Project. Web. 02 Apr. 2012.. "14th Amendment." Legal Information Institute. Cornell University. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. "Pros and Cons: Felon Voting." Felon Voting. 12 Sept. 2011. Web. 02 Apr. 2012.. "Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act." The United States Department of Justice. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. "Voting After Criminal Conviction." Brennan Center for Justice. New York University. Web. 02 Apr. 2012.