A Prisoner's Constitutional Right
One of the reasons prisoners should be allowed to vote is because it is their constitutional right. There are people who are citizens of the United States before, during, and after him or her serves their prison stint. So, why should that right of voting be taken away from them? In the words of Justice Earl Warren in 1958: "Citizenship is not a right that expires upon behavior". (Warren 1). Just because someone is in prison does not mean they are no longer or less of a citizen of the United States. Whatever wrongdoing a person did should not dictate their opinion on who should be in office. Even if they were sentenced to attend prison in another state, that person would still be a citizen. Where they serve their time is irrelevant if they were born and still live in the United States. Being in prison, just means a person did something illegal and as a consequence they have to be in jail for a certain amount of time. There are certain amenities that the incarcerated can no longer be afforded. However, their right to vote for a future presidential candidate should not be revoked. Gideon Yaffe asserts in the article "Give felons and prisoners the right to vote" that "We cannot hold citizens to account for violating our laws while denying them a say over those laws." (Yaffe) It would be extremely contradictory to say people cannot commit crimes without getting punished, but in the same breath deny them one of their rights, which is the right to vote. If prisoners do not get the right to vote, then once again a significant part of the constitution is being ignored. In the three-fifths clause of the constitution, a slave's right to vote was denied, however they were still counted in the population. In accordance to Corey Brettschneider of Politico Magazine, "The vast majority of states prisoners cannot vote, yet they’re often counted in the population for the legislative district of their prison..." (Brettscheneider) It's almost as if inmates are being used. We don't want your vote, however, we will gladly take your representation in this state. But, wouldn't it make for better representation prisoners had the right to vote? We as a people also have the right to free speech. Which entails the right to express a political opinion. What better way to do so than to vote?
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I can tell your very passionate about your topic. You just need a title and to add sources. Try to give more personal opinion as well. over all very good!
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