In Locked Out: Felon Disenfranchisement and American Democracy, Jeff Manza and Chris Uggen discuss the implications of state laws that bar convicted felons from voting, some even after their release and completion of all parole or probation requirements. The result? Over 5 million Americans are prohibited from participating in the democratic process.
But because African Americans are disproportionately likely to be in prison, they are particularly affected by the restriction of voting rights. The Prison Policy Initiative posted this map by Uggen and Manza showing the percent of voting-age African Americans in each state prevented from voting in 2000 as a result of a felony conviction:
For a thorough discussion of the history and consequences of laws barring felons from voting, see Uggen’s excellent Felon Disenfranchisement site.
Comments 30
glasswright — November 11, 2011
I'm sorry, but I disagree with the use of the term "disenfranchisement" in this situation. If only black former felons were not allowed to vote, then the term might apply, but it's not only blacks. All former felons of any race can't vote. By the same logic, you could equally say low income whites are disenfranchised, since they are more likely to go to prison than those with a higher income.
Yrro Simyarin — November 11, 2011
There are all sorts of problems with the appropriate treatment of felons... on the one hand, felonies are something that can be avoided, and represent a distinct departure from any reasonable way of living as a citizen. On the other hand, any group that can't vote will see their other rights continually eroded by the system. Taken too far, you have a significant part of the population who is unable to hold a job or buy housing, all living under a bridge somewhere in Florida.
Part of the problem is the massive expansion of the definition of a felony offense. Technically, lying to Facebook is a federal felony under current law.
We need to reduce the number of felonies, and provide a method for those who have served their time to, over a period of years and good behavior, regain their full citizenship. That includes voting, self defense, travel, and employment rights. While some felons certainly deserve a life sentence, if this is so it should take place behind bars. It should not follow them too far after their prison and probation terms are completed.
Of course, given that felons can't vote, the chances of any of this happening are pretty slim.
Anonymous — November 11, 2011
I have wondered for a while, what exactly is the logic behind removing felons' ability to vote, including people who've served their time? Especially since a felony can range from anything from serial killing to, in some states, possession of certain drugs.
Gilbert Pinfold — November 11, 2011
Louisiana is an anomaly on that map. Is this something to do with hurricane Katrina?
Mickey Lee — November 11, 2011
Well This subject is so serious and has evolved far past the imaginable. Voting isn't the only thing being denied. Felons has become a targeted group that are re-creating new CEO,s of corporations pivioting off felons. Recidivism has been insidiously included in most legislation and new laws that keep a certain group outside of true acceptance in respect to being a citizen with its benefits in tow. You never pay your debt to society, forget it. This is what some felons see and believe they can't win or overcome the administrators and senators and judges and so on. The collateral impact from all the nefarious laws actually continues crime. So now the manpower gotten from prisoners makes felons needed to support a neo- economic explosion known only to the informed and involved.
Human Rights Maps (71): Voting Rights for Felons in the U.S. | P.a.p.-Blog | Human Rights Etc. — November 14, 2011
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