Resolved: in a democratic society felons ought to retain the right to vote

Ok Ladies and Gentlemen I am varsity LD and this is my first online debate so please bear with me. I am going to try and keep these as cut and dry as possible since I'm limited so ill just give a value, a criterion list and explain my contentions and I will leave it at that. My value for this debate is going to be Equality, and my value criterion for this debate is going to be that of the right to vote. "All men are by nature equal, made all of the same earth by one Workman; and however we deceive ourselves, as dear unto God is the poor peasant as the mighty prince." It is because I agree with Plato that I must affirm the resolution. Resolved: In a democratic society felons ought to retain the right to vote. For clarification the Affirmative offers the fallowing set of definitions. Contention 1. No democratic society exists so don't bring up a country that has one. Contention 2. Democratic societies cannot punish people because of their traits, for then it will be oppressionistic and unjust. Contention 3. If a democratic society doesn't allow anyone within it's ranks to vote then it is no longer a democratic society Right: Adherence or obedience to moral and legal principles and authority. Democratic: of or like or supporting democracy. In accordance with the principle of equal rights for "All." Society: A body of individuals living as members of a community. Felons: One who has committed a felony. Vote: A formal expression of opinion or choice Equality: The state or quality of being equal Republic- state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them. Now, To begin with I would like to point out that the resolution deals with a democratic society, so a major point of this debate will be what is a democratic society. Allow me to explain, anything done democratically, or a democratic society is a society in which every single member of the society votes on every single issue in government. Now you may be wondering to yourself well how is that possible, and I am here to tell you that it virtually isn't. There is no country in the whole world whose type of government is simply democratic. The closest thing anyone in the world comes to a democratic society is that of a republic, which is essentially the U.S. So if my opponent attempts to bring up a democratic society that strips it's felons of the right to vote, then they must be either daft or ignorant, for I have just said that it doesn't exist. My second contention is that democratic societies cannot punish people because of their traits. The essential building blocks of a democratic society is that liberty, and equality should be offered for all. How can you claim that everyone is equal, and at the same time punish people because of their qualities? You cannot! You cannot expect a minority of people to live and die on the whims of others for the rest of their lives simple because of their traits, or who they are. Being a felon is no different than being Black, White, Hispanic, or Asian. Being an felon is a trait. So if a society punishes people for being themselves than that society is no longer a just society. My third contention is that if a democratic society doesn't allow even one member of it's society to vote, then it no longer a democratic society. The meaning of a democratic society as explained before is a society in which everyone votes on every little problem. However if even one person doesn't vote on the problem, then what does that make the society. Well, if I don't vote then technically someone similar to me who votes the same way as me would be essentially representing me thus changing the government to a tainted democracy, or even a form of republic. In lamence terms if a democratic society doesn't let a felon vote then it isn't a democratic society anymore. So when asked if a democratic society "ought" to allow felons the right to vote, if the society wants to remain democratic it should. If the society wants to remain a just unoppressionistic one it should. Lastly if the society IT WOULD. So should democratic societies allow felons the right to vote the only logical, factual, Moral, and Just interpretation of the resolution lies with the Affirmative. Thank you