Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?
Discuss issues related to the politics of the UK, such as the actions of any MP, any current or potential law, or any other factor affecting the British political system.
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Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?Some states in America restrict any individual who has a criminal record from voting - whether that's serious crimes such as murder and rape, or 'less' serious crimes such as theft. Then you get EU requesting Britain to give prisoners the right to vote, which I am completely against.
Personally, I feel that voting is very important and turnouts are terribly low; however a crime is a crime and it could work as a good deterrent.
Do you think that anyone with a criminal record should lose their right to vote? -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?So should a kid who nicked something when they were 16 still not have a vote by the time they're 43?
Not being able to vote while they're in prison I think is a fair deal. Or even better, not being able to vote if they won't be let out during the term of whatever they're voting for (for example, you can only vote in general elections if you'll be out within 5 years). -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?So a guy who's never been in jail before, but gets put in for a week or so which just happens to coincide with an election shouldn't be able to vote in it?(Original post by meenu89)
Anyone in jail shouldn't be able to vote. -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?But how about those who are wrongly convicted and were sent to prison? Do they not deserve to vote as well?(Original post by Iron Lady)
Some states in America restrict any individual who has a criminal record from voting - whether that's serious crimes such as murder and rape, or 'less' serious crimes such as theft. Then you get EU requesting Britain to give prisoners the right to vote, which I am completely against.
Personally, I feel that voting is very important and turnouts are terribly low; however a crime is a crime and it could work as a good deterrent.
Do you think that anyone with a criminal record should lose their right to vote?
I just read this and it made me sick to my stomach the horrible things these poor innocent people went through =( -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?Anyone in jail shouldn't be able to vote. I would have thought what I have said would be easy to understand...(Original post by anarchism101)
So a guy who's never been in jail before, but gets put in for a week or so which just happens to coincide with an election shouldn't be able to vote in it? -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?The point of prison is to protect the public and reform the individual. This justifies taking away their liberty but not their right to vote. They are still citizens of this country and should therefore still have the right to vote.
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?I think nothing except electoral fraud should take away the right to vote. Voting is our voice in the debate over what society should look like. People who have acted in a way contrary to what society currently looks like shouldn't be excluded from the process of changing what society looks like.
For example, in some countries, homosexuality is illegal. If people are jailed for homosexual activity, should that really bar them from voting? "Right" and "wrong" aren't static - our consensus on what's right and what's wrong changes over time, and that's a good thing. Jailing people who do things that we currently consider "wrong" is obviously correct - but preventing them from influencing a discussion over whether we should start to consider it "right" is not.Last edited by ThePants999; 16-03-2012 at 14:39. -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?Yes, and I was questioning that by pointing out a ridiculous potential consequence.(Original post by meenu89)
Anyone in jail shouldn't be able to vote. I would have thought what I have said would be easy to understand... -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?People with a criminal record, no.
Those in jail at the time of voting, yes.
(answers to the question in your post about losing the right, not the question in the title about having a right)
Not sure why, but it doesn't sit right with me that people who have violated others rights, should help decide who should be in charge of the country.. When the majority of the time, they'll vote for the ones most likely to benefit them or help them get out of jail quicker. -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?If you're inside for having committed a violent crime (with intent) then I do think you should lose the right to vote whilst still in prison. If it's a non-violent offence or you just have a criminal record then I don't think your right to vote should be affected.
Last edited by Logi; 19-03-2012 at 23:19. -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?I think everybody of legal age should be able to vote. People who are in prison are living in an environment which is almost entirely governed by the state so the outcomes of an election are likely to have greater implications for them than they would for those of us who haven't yet been caught doing naughty things.
Last edited by summer_blazed; 16-03-2012 at 14:52. -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?They should abide by this country's laws then.(Original post by Torpedo Fish)
The point of prison is to protect the public and reform the individual. This justifies taking away their liberty but not their right to vote. They are still citizens of this country and should therefore still have the right to vote. -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?maybe not while they are still in prison, but after they have served their punishment they should be able to again. you do not take away somebody's fundamental rights for making a mistake. once they have been punished they should not be tarnished forever
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?Can I take it that you've never broken any law i.e. you've never downloaded any copy-righted music then?(Original post by Scoobiedoobiedo)
They should abide by this country's laws then. -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?When convicted criminals complete their sentence in jail, and become a part of society once more, they'll be directly affected by the party in power, so they should equally be given the opportunity to vote.
A criminal record doesn't obliterate an individual's judgement... and its always important to maintain equality no matter what crime they've commited. -
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?No they should not, it is not a human right, it is a civil right they sacrificed when they committed a crime. Furthermore, what would our prison system be like if politicians begin introducing policies that appeal to criminals?!
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Re: Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?I've never been found guilty of anything.(Original post by Carecup)
Can I take it that you've never broken any law i.e. you've never downloaded any copy-righted music then?
