Locked Out: Felon Disenfranchisement and American Democracy (Studies in Crime and Public Policy)
"Locked Outexamines how the disenfranchisement of felons shapes American democracy--hardly a hypothetical matter in an age of split electorates and hanging chads.... Exacting and fair, their work should persuade even those who come to the subject skeptically that an injustice is at hand."--The NewYork Review of Books"Few issues undermine the legitimacy of democratic systems more than the disenfranchisement of ex-felons from voting. InLocked Out, Manza and Uggen examine the legal, political, and social-historical context of this peculiarly American dilemma. The book is masterful, a must-read for those who seek answers to why and how felon disenfranchisement exists and what can be done to hasten its demise."--Robert J. Sampson, co-author ofShared Beginnings, Divergent Lives"This is an important book. Energetically researched and clearly written,Locked Outis a major contribution to public debate about the vexed issue of felon disfranchisement. It sheds light into one of the dark corners of American political life, suggesting that the exclusion of millions of felons and ex-felons remains a significant shortcoming of our democracy."--Alex Keyssar, author ofRight to Vote"Mr. Manza and Mr. Uggen... wade into one of the most contested empirical debates in political science: How many (if any) recent American elections would have gone differently if all former felons had been allowed to vote?"--The Chronicle of Higher Education"Locked Out's carefully researched argument for changing our thinking on felon disenfranchisement is also a powerful blueprint for realigning state election laws to match our country's deep democratic faith."--Lani Guinier, co-author ofThe Miner's Canary"The United States stands out among all nations in the world for the large numbers of people it incarcerates, and for then stripping them of the right to vote, sometimes for life. In this brilliant and timely book Manza and Uggen probe the roots of this phenomenon in American history, especially our racial history, and they show us how felon disenfranchisement continues to distort American democracy, and to influence electoral outcomes."--Frances Fox Piven, author ofWhy Americans Still Don't Vote, And Why Politicians Want It That Way"Locked Outis a sustained case for democracy, for dignity, for citizen participation, and for equality."--Daily Kos