The denial of voting rights to people with criminal records

Le résumé fourni par la source

In 48 US states, felony disenfranchisement, or the denial of voting rights to people with criminal records, creates or exacerbates multiple problems. It limits democratic participation, increases racial inequality, conflicts with public opinion, compromises reintegrative efforts and public safety, creates needless confusion about eligibility, and is far out of step with international practices. Moreover, the threat of prosecution for unlawful voting—which can result in a new felony conviction—further reduces democratic participation even among eligible voters. Over 4.6 million US adults are disenfranchised, or deprived of the right to vote based on a past felony conviction. State laws vary greatly across the country, with some states not imposing disenfranchisement on any group (Maine and Vermont), some restricting voting rights for people in prison (for example, Illinois), others restricting rights for people serving probation or parole sentences in the community (for example, Wisconsin), and some disenfranchising even after the entire sentence is served (for example, Alabama). Overall, about 48 percent of the disenfranchised had already completed their full sentences, another 28 percent are serving sentences in the community on probation (21 percent) or parole (7 percent), and the remaining 24 percent are currently incarcerated.

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