Felons right to vote
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Thesis: Persons with valid felony convictions should be permitted to vote in all elections.
The paper should be in APA format. 5 of the 10 sources should be primary sources, e.g., the Bill of rights, interviews, etc. Your final submission must include
the following:
● Introduction
● Research Strategies
● A Review of the Literature
● Discussions and Conclusions
● Annotated Bibliography (All sources referenced in the paper should be listed and annotated in the bibliography.)
Questions to consider but not limited to:
• What is the history of felons voting in the U.S.?
• What is felon disenfranchisement?
• What is meant by social justice?
• What number of people by state cannot vote due to a felony conviction?
• What are the political motivations behind felon’s not voting? E.g., an increase in Republicans or Democrats.
• What is the connection between felons’ voting and social justice, i.e., what social justice issues can felons’ vote help impact, change policy, or create
awareness?
Sample Solution
The thesis statement I have chosen is that persons with valid felony convictions should be permitted to vote in all elections. This statement has gained traction in recent years due to the fact that many states have started to consider changing their laws regarding voter disenfranchisement for those who have been convicted of a felony. The underlying arguments for this claim include the idea that individuals who have served their time and paid their debt still deserve the right to participate in democracy, as well as recognizing how systemic racism has disproportionately impacted voter turnout among people of color (Harlow, 2019).
From a psychological perspective, there is evidence suggesting that individuals with past criminal records are more likely to engage in civic duties such as voting if they feel accepted by society (Vera Institute of Justice, 2020). By allowing those with felonies to vote, it can create an environment where they feel like active members of democracy rather than being excluded from it. Additionally, having access to the ballot box could encourage meaningful engagement within communities which may lead to policy changes aimed at reducing recidivism rates and combating systemic inequalities (Harlow & Uggen, 2017). Thus, through permitting individuals with valid felony convictions the right to vote in all elections we can not only ensure a more inclusive democratic process but also promote social justice initiatives aimed towards advancing equity and equality throughout America’s political system.