A Manhattan jury recently found former President Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump, the first U.S. president ever to be convicted of felonies, faces sentencing on July 11 for his role in a 2016 payment to Stormy Daniels. As the nation grapples with the unprecedented spectacle of a convicted felon running for the highest office, a pressing question arises: why can't all felons, including those who have served their time, automatically have their voting rights restored?
The debate around felon disenfranchisement is not new, but it gains renewed urgency in light of Trump's conviction. If we can consider a convicted felon for the presidency, it is high time we re-evaluate the voting rights of millions of Americans who have served their sentences.
In the United States, felon disenfranchisement laws vary widely. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, felons automatically regain the right to vote in some states upon release. In others, they must complete probation or parole and sometimes even pay fines and fees before they can re-register to vote. As of now, only two states, Maine and Vermont, allow incarcerated individuals to vote. On the other end of the spectrum,
states like Virginia, Tennessee, Iowa, and Kentucky still have laws that effectively shut out some U.S. citizens from voting forever.
Arizona falls somewhere in between. First-time felons in Arizona have their voting rights automatically restored upon completion of their sentence, including probation and payment of any fines. However, after a waiting period, repeat offenders must petition the court to regain their rights, which can be daunting and costly.
These laws are fragmented and inconsistent, creating a system of inequality. It is unfair that an individual's right to vote depends on their state of residence. This disparity is particularly pronounced in states like Arizona, where the restoration process is cumbersome and inconsistent. This calls for a more uniform, automatic restoration of voting rights for all felons who have completed their sentences.
The argument for restoring voting rights concerns fairness, public safety, and reintegration. Studies have shown that civic engagement, including the right to vote, is associated with lower recidivism rates. When individuals feel connected to their communities and have a stake in the democratic process, they are less likely to re-offend. By denying these rights, we perpetuate a cycle of disenfranchisement and undermine efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate former offenders.
Critics of automatic restoration often argue that committing a felony breaches the social contract, and thus, those who do so forfeit certain rights, including the right to vote. However, this perspective fails to acknowledge the principle of redemption and forgiveness. Our justice system is predicated on the idea that individuals can pay their debt to society and emerge rehabilitated. If we truly believe in second chances, we must reflect this in our policies, including restoring voting rights.
Moreover, the current system disproportionately affects marginalized communities.
According to the Sentencing Project , an estimated 4.4 million Americans are disenfranchised because of felony convictions, with Blacks being disenfranchised at a rate
four times higher than non-Blacks. In states with strict disenfranchisement laws, this means significant portions of the population are excluded from the democratic process, exacerbating existing social inequalities.
If we are seriously considering the prospect of a convicted felon running for and being elected to the office of the presidency, we must also address the broader issue of felon disenfranchisement. It's time for Arizona and other states with restrictive laws to adopt automatic restoration of voting rights for all felons who have completed their sentences to enhance the legitimacy and inclusiveness of our electoral process. This step would align with the principles of fairness and rehabilitation and strengthen our democracy by ensuring that every voice is heard.
Kellie Walenciak is the head of marketing for Televerde , a global revenue creation partner supporting marketing, sales, and customer success for B2B businesses worldwide.
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