Felon voting rights debatable issue

 Every four years it seems the national concern is about who will be elected into office next. For felons in certain states their right to vote has been permanently revoked.
There are many factors that contribute to the weariness of the American people, such as allowing felons to vote.
Because of their actions in the past, some argue that one cannot trust a felon's judgment and they are no longer considered trustworthy.
Sophomore business major Prince Crawford however is a firm believer in the ability of people to change.
Crawford said, "People deserve a second chance, but those who have committed major crimes should not be able to vote. The people who have committed minor crimes should be able to vote."
Dr. Charles Bailey, assistant professor and coordinator of the criminal justice department, had an interesting view on whether felons should continue to pay for the crime they committed, even after paying for their crimes both monetarily and liberally.
Bailey said, "I think felons that have paid their debt to society should be allowed to fully participate as citizens including voting. If they have been convicted and have paid their debt, they should not have to continue to pay."
Bailey added, "Everyone should have the right to vote. If they committed a certain type of crime, such as child abusers, there should be some extra stipulations."
People may argue that it is unconstitutional to prohibit felons from voting because it goes against the Eighth Amendment.
The Eighth Amendment prohibits the use of excessive sanctions and demands that punishment for crime should be graduated and proportioned to the offense.
One must realize that by prohibiting people from voting they are continuing the punishment to the offender.
In addition, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by former President Lyndon B. Johnson says "voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice, or procedure ... to deny or abridge the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color."
Although the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was put in place to defend African Americans from the current widespread disenfranchisement, it can be argued that it should cover the felons because it is a form of discrimination. The act established that states could not implement any change that would affect voting without first obtaining the approval of the Department of Justice.
In fact, a recent homecoming performer is an activist for this cause. 2Chainz, former Playaz Circle member, has been a convicted felon since the age of 15. He is currently speaking out about felons voting and hoping to educate felons on how to properly exercise their rights.
"As a felon you become disenfranchised. You don't have a say over what goes on in your personal community," said rapper 2Chainz.
He has even put together a website to speak to felons about how to get their voting rights reinstated.