A part of that is unquestionably taking again their place in the democratic process. People who are part of the decision-making process have more stake in the decisions that are made, and less automatic alienation from them. Like a job and a home, voting roots people in communities and in society. It's time to revisit the thinking behind denial of a basic citizenship right to people who, if anything, we ought to be encouraging to become more assimilated. This is an area of policy and participation given very little thought today.
Longstanding rationales remain unchallenged.
To change this, debate over the archaic denial of voting rights should take place. Limiting the denial of voting rights to those actually serving prison sentences, not those on probation or parole. Though it could be argued that even they should be allowed to participate, this would restore voting rights to those who have committed relatively minor, non-violent crimes. Allowing judges to have discretion in taking away voting rights. Either granting automatic restoration of voting rights upon completion of an offender's obligation or creating a system under which those about to complete their obligation are notified of the need to re-register, encouraged to do so and sent a registration form.