Question about Felon voting rights?

[serryjw]

On NOW they said that 7 states have it still illegal for a felon to vote. Here in CO we restore privileges after you are off parole. How can states get away with this? Is this NOT taxation WITHOUT representation and UNCONSTITUTIONAL?

[eridani]

1. You'd think so, but no.

See http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/restorevote/restorevote.htm for set of PDF and HTML files for each state. Note: THE MOST CRITICAL THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT YOUR VOTING RIGHTS AS AN EX-FELON ARE DETERMINED BY THE STATE IN WHICH YOU NOW LIVE, NOT THE STATE IN WHICH YOU WERE CONVICTED OF A FELONY.

The right to vote is an important civil right in a democracy as well as a civic responsibility, and yet many persons who have been convicted of a crime do not know whether they are eligible to vote. For both federal and state elections, the right to vote is controlled by the law of the state in which you live. Some states restrict the right to vote for persons who have been convicted of a crime. This pamphlet is intended to help you determine whether you are eligible to vote in the state in which you live, and if so, what steps you must take to be permitted to vote.

[izzie]

2. Sounds like a state right to me but CO sounds about right also.

If they are done with the crime why not let them vote.

[izzie]

3. NRA lets these same guys buy a gun at a gun show, Right?

Can not take their rights away on that.