I vote in every election, even if it's only one race that is being decided in my district. I took advantage of early voting (a week ago Sunday) and the line wasn't bad at all. I can't believe anyone would ever consider not voting.
Yep, vote or be fined. I'd vote anyway though, and don't disagree with it being compulsoryWe have compulsory voting in Australia. But I would always vote no matter what.
I think it should depend on the felony. DH has a felony and can't vote. He dated a girl for 7 years (who worked out of town for a few years) and during that time cashed checks that she told him to sign so he could come spend the weekend with her, or buy groceries or get money to take her out. He had a job, but it didn't pay as much as hers so it went to rent and utilities. It was a bad relationship, and when DH broke up with her due to her cheating on him, she filed forgery charges. He couldn't say he didn't do it, because he did (although she told him to) so he now has a felony and can't vote. I agree, he broke the law, but I did the same thing with an old boyfriend and didn't think anything of it since he asked me to. I know a lot of women that would sign their husband's name on their paycheck to cash it to pay bills. So, that's slightly different than a felony like murder or rape.I can see why they aren't allowed to vote. They consciously chose to break some of the more important laws that govern the country they are in, so why should they be allowed to have any effect on the laws afterward?
I know you didnt bring up the issue originally but it is actually not true that all convicted felons are automatically disenfranchised. Rather, it is a state by state determination. Where I am felons are allowed to vote so long as they are not incarcerated, on probation or parole.I think she is referring to the fact that convicted felons are not always given the right to vote -- so they may WANT to vote, but they might not be able to legally.
Personally, I don't get the whole "no voting for convicted felons" thing. Yeah, they've committed crimes, but does it justify taking away their participation in the government? It's not as if there's a bunch of pro-felony candidates out there for them to vote for.
I didn't say they were automatically disenfranchised. I said they are not always given the rights to vote.I know you didnt bring up the issue originally but it is actually not true that all convicted felons are automatically disenfranchised. Rather, it is a state by state determination. Where I am felons are allowed to vote so long as they are not incarcerated, on probation or parole.I think she is referring to the fact that convicted felons are not always given the right to vote -- so they may WANT to vote, but they might not be able to legally.
Personally, I don't get the whole "no voting for convicted felons" thing. Yeah, they've committed crimes, but does it justify taking away their participation in the government? It's not as if there's a bunch of pro-felony candidates out there for them to vote for. :lol3:
I went to the polls with my best friend who is a felon. We had no problems- it's his right same as everyone else's.
Turns out taxation WITH representation isn't so hot, either! I voted early, since Tuesday is the day I'm almost always gone. Before early voting became common, we used to vote absentee, until I discovered that many jurisdiction don't count absentee ballots if there aren't enough to change their local election, because counting them (and verifying them) can be a real pain.As an American living overseas, I was one of millions disenfranchised until the election laws were changed a little over a decade ago. Somebody had finally remembered the old pre-War of Independence slogan, "No taxation without representation!"
There is no such thing as an innocent convicted felon. By definition, if you are convicted, you are guilty. Just as OJ was innocent of murder, because that's what the jury said. If you are subsequently exonerated for some reason, your record should be expunged and you are no longer a convicted felon.What if you're a convicted felon - an innocent convicted felon. Do you have the "right" to complain?
Tell this woman that...There is no such thing as an innocent convicted felon. By definition, if you are convicted, you are guilty. Just as OJ was innocent of murder, because that's what the jury said. If you are subsequently exonerated for some reason, your record should be expunged and you are no longer a convicted felon.
I told you the legal definition. How it works out in the real world is largely a matter of how good your lawyer is, or who is willing to take on your cause.
My impression is of how it works out in the real world is you are guilty until proven innocent unless you have the $$$ for a lawyer. The more $$$ you have, the more likely you will be found innocent.I told you the legal definition. How it works out in the real world is largely a matter of how good your lawyer is, or who is willing to take on your cause.
No, literally nothing so long as there is an electoral college.Does voting actually serve anything for president?
Exactly! We vote by mail here in Oregon but I do miss going to the polls. It's so satisfying to cast one's vote!We did the absentee ballots --much easier than standing in line. People who don't vote have no right to complain!
I know you didn't. I tried to disclaimer that at the beginning but realize I didn't explain myself well. I just used your post because it was the one that most touched on the issue that I wanted to respond to. Sorry if I was unclear and implied that you said something you didn't say!I didn't say they were automatically disenfranchised. I said they are not always given the rights to vote.
Yep, it is possible. They are called "faithless electors". It usually means the end of their political career, if they meant to do it and didn't just make a mistake, because electors are chosen for their loyalty, and making them an elector is often a way of honoring somebody. But it is rare. A US election result hasn't been changed by faithless electors since 1836.The electoral college is supposed to vote based on who their constituents choose, but there is no law that says they have to. In theory, 100% of the country could vote for candidate A, but the electoral college could still vote in candidate B if they felt like it. The only thing keeping them "honest" is that they themselves get elected, but the worst thing that would happen is they don't get reelected. They still would have voted in a president that the vast majority of the country didn't vote for.