For Ex-Felons, The Bonds Never Went Away
By: Muskaan Arshad
Tags: Equality, Florida, African American, Prison Reform, Voting

Imagine your basic rights to life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness being taken away. This is the reality of many ex-felons throughout our country. The basic right to vote has been constantly taken away from this population of our country. Currently, five million individuals are disenfranchised from voting in the United States due to their former crimes, making the US a country with one of the largest groups of disenfranchised voters in the democratic world. One mistake, and a right we are promised by the constitution is snatched away. What is more disturbing is how this untoward policy impacts those of color. Yet there is hope: in states like Florida, where 1.4 million citizens with past felon convictions had long been disenfranchised, progressive change is ongoing.

Removing the right to vote does not simply disenfranchise ex-felons but disenfranchises America itself. According to multiple empirical studies, voters are more likely to contribute to the public good; for one, they often have increased motivation to volunteer and contact elected officials. Additionally, one study performed by Berkeley Law demonstrated a positive association between democratic participation and reduced recidivism. There are only positive impacts of increasing the size of America’s voting population — ex-felons included — that would make our country safer and greater.

While extending the voter base is productive, voter disenfranchisement illustrates a harmful and stark racial disparity. Statistics provided by The Sentencing Project state that one in thirteen African Americans have lost their voting power to only one in fifty-six non-black civilians. Asand African-Americans tend to vote more Democratic. this disenfranchisement basic has become a political weapon of sorts that lawmakers use to tip the balance in their favor, a phenomenon clearly seen and felt in Florida.

Last year, many in the state attempted to overturn such regressive forms of political manipulation and retraction of freedom. Floridians Voted to overturn their long-standing disenfranchisement of ex-felons, but they were met by backlash from their state legislature. A bill passed by Florda’sGOP-controlled Senate in late June made it more difficult for those who have gotten their rights back to utilize them. In particular, Senate Bill 7066 required that ex-felons pay all court fees and fines before receiving access to the ballot box, a thinly veiled attempt at voiding the people’s will. This was obviously seen as a violation resembling an illegal poll tax, and Judge Robert Hinkle ruled a preliminary injunction. The issue is a priority among the state senators who will face the glaring unconstitutionality of their bill in January when they convene again.

It is unambiguously true that disenfranchising voters is a racist and negative endeavor. It is unambiguously true that enfranchising voters is only a positive addition to our country. This brings up the question: what can we do about it? What can we do to take action? Be involved in criminal justice reform. Donate to organizations like the Sentencing Project, vote for leaders who reflect your views, make your voice heard to existing politicians to help them understand, and join local efforts in your state. Use your vote and voice for those who cannot.