Students Name: Solanch Bandera

Professor Name: Professor Alicia Garcia

Course Code:1101

Date: 10/03/2020

Felons in Florida Should Be Allowed to Vote

In the United States, democracy rules as the default way in which the country is run; hence, this means that the power lies in the people’s hands, and it is for the people and by the people.

Democracy grants every person distinct right, one of which is choosing who they can trust to lead the country in the ballot. Therefore, the ability to vote is a fundamental aspect of being in a democracy. However, felons are finding it hard to get the chance to exercise the right in their state. In the state, persons convicted of a felony are stripped of their right to vote during incarceration. But considering that we are still in a democracy, is it right to have someone deprived of their right of choice? I believe that it is a violation of their rights and freedoms, especially in a country that stands for liberty and freedom. Felons and ex-felons should be given the right to vote in Florida based on several arguments.

Denying such a huge population, the right to vote is breaching on their rights. The constitution of America allows for many freedoms available to every citizen to enjoy. However, when incarcerated for a felony, rights and freedoms are stripped as you head to federal prison. The act of locking a person in jail, excluded from their families and friends for an extended period, seems like enough punishment to any person. Felons undergo tough times in the prison systems, which are reputed as some of the harshest environments to a person. A person like that is already at a disadvantage. The act of stripping such a person the simple right to vote seems too harsh because they are already suffering in the prison system.

Also, Felons contribute to a large population of people in the state of Florida. Hence, this means that only a specific population of people decides on the ballot on matters affecting the state. A question is raised based on this, what if they all vote? There exists a certain unfairness in allowing the power to vote to be in the hands of a population of people while others look on. The unbalance of power seems unfair, considering the decision eventually affects everyone in the state, whether the consequences are good or bad.

Florida’s laws are especially harsh and are a vast contributor to the number of people incarcerated every year. The drug laws in Florida account for many of the incarcerations that would otherwise be dealt with differently in other states. For instance, Florida severely punishes possession of a drug like marijuana. Marijuana possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana in Florida is a felony that attracts a five thousand dollar fine or a maximum of five years (Riggs 118). The punishment seems very harsh and is a contributor to many people in Florida being incarcerated. The number of people who use marijuana, despite any criminal history, will find themselves being charged as felons. The idea is that if the laws are so harsh, then other rules should be lenient enough to balance things out as it would only be fair.

Finally, ex-felons in Florida have served their time and undergone the harsh punishments of the system (Stockman1). They usually return to a world that looks at them differently, stigmatizing them in every corner, whether it is job seeking to start a family. Hence, they are already at a disadvantage in that the world does not fully accept them. However, they have already served and should at least be given a second chance they so do deserve to pick another page and start anew without the shackles of their past holding them back. The first step to doing so is allowing felons and ex-felons to vote. Voting will give them a chance to have the freedom that they were so used to being denied in prison.

Works Cited

Farah Stockman, ‘They Served Their Time. Now they’re fighting for Other Ex-Felons to Vote.’ 2018. Retrieved From: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/11/us/voting-rights-felons.htmlRiggs, Allison J. “Felony Disenfranchisement in Florida: Past, Present and Future.” JCR & Econ. Dev. 28 (2015): 107.