Comments on: Should Ex-Cons be Cleared and Have the Chance to Vote? http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/ Follow FOX News reporters and producers around the globe to get raw, behind-the-scenes access to the stories making headlines. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:48:23 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: MDC http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-87249 MDC Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:36:28 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-87249 Hi, I am from Illinois, from a Chicago suburb to be exact. I did sign up to be a voter, and they sent my voter's registration card not even 2 weeks later. So, that leads me to believe they did not check my background because of the quickness of receiving my voter's card. However, does anyone know if I can vote? I can't seem to find anything, (surfing the web), on whether I can vote or not in Illinois. i don't think they turn me away from the polls but later do they check my criminal history? I have a few felonies on my record, mainly stemming from my drug habit..(but none in the last 4 years due to my 4 year sobriety). If anyone can let me know what happens, do they turn you away at the polls, god, how embarrassing would that be!! Or just don't count your vote. I don't want to waste my time standing in these lonnnnnggg poll lines to vote only to have it not count. How if anyone can point me in the right direction to find out this info that would be great! Thanks in advance for any help in this matter! Molly Hi, I am from Illinois, from a Chicago suburb to be exact. I did sign up to be a voter, and they sent my voter’s registration card not even 2 weeks later. So, that leads me to believe they did not check my background because of the quickness of receiving my voter’s card. However, does anyone know if I can vote? I can’t seem to find anything, (surfing the web), on whether I can vote or not in Illinois. i don’t think they turn me away from the polls but later do they check my criminal history? I have a few felonies on my record, mainly stemming from my drug habit..(but none in the last 4 years due to my 4 year sobriety). If anyone can let me know what happens, do they turn you away at the polls, god, how embarrassing would that be!! Or just don’t count your vote. I don’t want to waste my time standing in these lonnnnnggg poll lines to vote only to have it not count. How if anyone can point me in the right direction to find out this info that would be great! Thanks in advance for any help in this matter!
Molly

]]> By: BABS ALABAMA http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-87057 BABS ALABAMA Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:08:25 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-87057 VOTING IS A PRIVILEGE AND BEFORE YOU COMMIT THE CRIME...BE SURE AND VOTE BECAUSE AFTER THE CRIME THE PRIVILEGE SHOULD NOT BE THERE FOR THE CRIMINAL VOTING IS A PRIVILEGE AND BEFORE YOU COMMIT THE CRIME…BE SURE AND VOTE BECAUSE AFTER THE CRIME THE PRIVILEGE SHOULD NOT BE THERE FOR THE CRIMINAL

]]> By: Mark from Illinois http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-87054 Mark from Illinois Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:12:34 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-87054 I tried earlier to send a detailed response to the hateful and uneducated responses set forth on your site regarding an ex-cons right or ability to vote - and while getting back to the site, I was reminded of the fact that it was a FOXNews site - so the disconnection could have been from from my dial-up connection itself, my irresponsible 6 month old cat or the black helicopters circling above my house since I mentioned the Bible, guns and lack of education in one sentence. I do not want to repeat the beginning of the prior message or fail to point out my distain for the Christian Right - so, I will just say "READ THE WORDS YOU HOLD DEAR AND SPEW WHEN YOUR OPINIONS ARE CRITICIZED." "Father, forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us." "Debtors," unless you're Republicans under the bailout, you're SOL and probably will be deleted from the other versions of the prayer; and, as far as "daily bread," I'm pretty sure that has become "weekly bread" under the Bush Doctrine. I made a terrible error (trusting a Jewish lawyer - I put that in so the angry Christians would not think I had a Jewish agenda; I am not a big fan of the Muslims' rather polarized view of the world either) and I have paid for that error financially and emotionally for over ten years now. If I were a priest in a parish that had political pull, I could have twiddled little boys' piddles and done no time for my failure to comport to community standards - and, unfortunately, still be doing that despicable thing they have been paying for during the last twenty years. I did something I paid for (I really paid for it - no "victim" was harmed and I lost my career, children, self-respect, etc) and I might be denied the vote? I smell tea in the bay I tried earlier to send a detailed response to the hateful and uneducated responses set forth on your site regarding an ex-cons right or ability to vote – and while getting back to the site, I was reminded of the fact that it was a FOXNews site – so the disconnection could have been from from my dial-up connection itself, my irresponsible 6 month old cat or the black helicopters circling above my house since I mentioned the Bible, guns and lack of education in one sentence. I do not want to repeat the beginning of the prior message or fail to point out my distain for the Christian Right – so, I will just say “READ THE WORDS YOU HOLD DEAR AND SPEW WHEN YOUR OPINIONS ARE CRITICIZED.” “Father, forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” “Debtors,” unless you’re Republicans under the bailout, you’re SOL and probably will be deleted from the other versions of the prayer; and, as far as “daily bread,” I’m pretty sure that has become “weekly bread” under the Bush Doctrine. I made a terrible error (trusting a Jewish lawyer – I put that in so the angry Christians would not think I had a Jewish agenda; I am not a big fan of the Muslims’ rather polarized view of the world either) and I have paid for that error financially and emotionally for over ten years now. If I were a priest in a parish that had political pull, I could have twiddled little boys’ piddles and done no time for my failure to comport to community standards – and, unfortunately, still be doing that despicable thing they have been paying for during the last twenty years. I did something I paid for (I really paid for it – no “victim” was harmed and I lost my career, children, self-respect, etc) and I might be denied the vote? I smell tea in the bay

]]> By: Tom from Florida http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-87029 Tom from Florida Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:59:21 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-87029 How may times will they be forgiven? My wife was recently assualted by someone that was arrested 10 times in 1 year. After 5 months he is back on the streets. She, unfotunately, have over $12,000 in medical bills and a left wrist that was fractured and is no longer as good as it used to be. Her nose that was broken was fixed, but she is told she will need further surgery so she can breatht correctly. The Liberals all feel sorry for the criminal. To H$$L with the victim. I say losing the vote is the least we should do with them. THREE STRIKES YOUR OUT. And by OUT I don't mean in prison, where they can escape, for life. I mean a $1 bullet to the head. How may times will they be forgiven?

My wife was recently assualted by someone that was arrested 10 times in 1 year. After 5 months he is back on the streets. She, unfotunately, have over $12,000 in medical bills and a left wrist that was fractured and is no longer as good as it used to be. Her nose that was broken was fixed, but she is told she will need further surgery so she can breatht correctly.

The Liberals all feel sorry for the criminal. To H$$L with the victim. I say losing the vote is the least we should do with them. THREE STRIKES YOUR OUT. And by OUT I don’t mean in prison, where they can escape, for life. I mean a $1 bullet to the head.

]]> By: Don http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86997 Don Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:26:50 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86997 Felons, like my ex-wife (convicted of various financial crimes) have been made well aware for many years that a felony conviction will result in the termination of voting rights. Of course this is IF they paid any attention in public school. having felons vote is like having a company doing business with a city and the owner of that company is the Mayor of that same city (City of Denton, TX)..it is a conflict of interest. and that is what the founding fathers were rightly thinking when they thought of this principle. only those in good standing should be allowed to vote. voting is BOTH a right AND a privilege...and privileges CAN AND SHOULD BE REMOVED. Felons, like my ex-wife (convicted of various financial crimes) have been made well aware for many years that a felony conviction will result in the termination of voting rights. Of course this is IF they paid any attention in public school. having felons vote is like having a company doing business with a city and the owner of that company is the Mayor of that same city (City of Denton, TX)..it is a conflict of interest. and that is what the founding fathers were rightly thinking when they thought of this principle. only those in good standing should be allowed to vote. voting is BOTH a right AND a privilege…and privileges CAN AND SHOULD BE REMOVED.

]]> By: Randy McLeod http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86992 Randy McLeod Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:11:38 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86992 I'm an ex-con, tho' in Florida. Showed my papers to the right people and got my voting rights returned. As for Alabama, sorry, but that state has always been slow. Except maybe in sports. I’m an ex-con, tho’ in Florida. Showed my papers to the right people and got my voting rights returned. As for Alabama, sorry, but that state has always been slow. Except maybe in sports.

]]> By: usaalltheway http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86991 usaalltheway Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:05:39 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86991 You choose the crime, you choose the consequences. No they should not be able to vote You choose the crime, you choose the consequences. No they should not be able to vote

]]> By: John http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86990 John Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:04:52 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86990 duh i happen to be a conservative who is voting m/p and most of you here should observe the old saying "its better to let people think you are a moron than to open your mouth and prove it" duh i happen to be a conservative who is voting m/p and most of you here should observe the old saying “its better to let people think you are a moron than to open your mouth and prove it”

]]> By: Chris http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86989 Chris Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:03:07 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86989 Convicted felons should lose their right to vote for life. Convicted felons should lose their right to vote for life.

]]> By: Wayne http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86988 Wayne Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:02:10 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86988 They are still citizens, pay taxes and should have a voice in who represents them. My son was convicted when he was 18 years old, did two years in a state prison and has been out for six years. He has the stigma of a convicted felon, can't rent or lease an apartment on his own because of the felony. He owns his own business and is doing very well, employees several workers and recognized as a Best business. He made a mistake when he was very young, paid his debt to society, and has become a productive citizen, why shouldn't he be allowed to vote? They are still citizens, pay taxes and should have a voice in who represents them. My son was convicted when he was 18 years old, did two years in a state prison and has been out for six years. He has the stigma of a convicted felon, can’t rent or lease an apartment on his own because of the felony. He owns his own business and is doing very well, employees several workers and recognized as a Best business. He made a mistake when he was very young, paid his debt to society, and has become a productive citizen, why shouldn’t he be allowed to vote?

]]> By: Michael http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86987 Michael Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:56:39 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86987 If a felon has done his/her time and pay for his/her crime, then yes he/she should be able to vote. If they have not done their time or pay for their crime then no they should not be able to vote. If a felon has done his/her time and pay for his/her crime, then yes he/she should be able to vote. If they have not done their time or pay for their crime then no they should not be able to vote.

]]> By: Della mcGaha http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86985 Della mcGaha Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:49:01 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86985 No theyshould not be able to vote plain and simple No theyshould not be able to vote plain and simple

]]> By: sfc mezo http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86984 sfc mezo Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:36:01 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86984 let's see........hmmmmm.........NO!, HELL NO! they committed the crime. If you polled felons and asked them who they wanted to be able to vote for it would no doubt be obama. Doesn't that make the non-felons wonder who they are voting for? Let's see, obamas supporters are... ex felons farakhan and the nation of islam think he is the messiah hamas sent money to his campaign european leaders iran has said they prefer obama majority of the mindless idiots that live in hollywood and have no ties to reallity what else do you need to know? if you are undecided at this point, you need help. if you consider yourself a normal American that isn't into mass slaughter and tax funded abortions, taking money from those who earned it to give it away to those that didn't, screwing up our health care system, silencing the freedom of speech, nationalizing anything that matters, destroying your retirement plans, making it a crime to own guns, and eliminating all checks and balances in government, then by all means vote for McCain. Look at the reallity here. if McCain wins, he can't really do anything because the congress is still controlled by dems. So it is a win win for everyone. let’s see……..hmmmmm………NO!, HELL NO!

they committed the crime. If you polled felons and asked them who they wanted to be able to vote for it would no doubt be obama. Doesn’t that make the non-felons wonder who they are voting for?

Let’s see, obamas supporters are…
ex felons
farakhan and the nation of islam think he is the messiah
hamas sent money to his campaign
european leaders
iran has said they prefer obama
majority of the mindless idiots that live in hollywood and have no ties to reallity

what else do you need to know? if you are undecided at this point, you need help. if you consider yourself a normal American that isn’t into mass slaughter and tax funded abortions, taking money from those who earned it to give it away to those that didn’t, screwing up our health care system, silencing the freedom of speech, nationalizing anything that matters, destroying your retirement plans, making it a crime to own guns, and eliminating all checks and balances in government, then by all means vote for McCain.

Look at the reallity here. if McCain wins, he can’t really do anything because the congress is still controlled by dems. So it is a win win for everyone.

]]> By: Lynn http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86983 Lynn Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:31:43 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86983 Voting is a privledge for trust worthy people. Look what we have running our government. Maybe their voting privledges should have been taken away. There are some brillent minds sitting in cells. To bad they chose the wrong road to walk. I am sure some of them could run the country much better than what we have, but laws are laws. You commit the crime, you pay the time. To bad this doesn't hold true for politicians. Voting is a privledge for trust worthy people.
Look what we have running our government. Maybe their voting privledges should have been taken away. There are some brillent minds sitting in cells. To bad they chose the wrong road to walk. I am sure some of them could run the country much better than what we have, but laws are laws. You commit the crime, you pay the time. To bad this doesn’t hold true for politicians.

]]> By: Martin http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86982 Martin Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:22:47 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86982 This is only an issue because Democrats are trying to get anyone they can to vote for the chosen one. Where were people talking about this 4 years ago? It only being used becasue there is a large black population that are felons that they desire to tap in order to secure a socialist state. If Obama wasnt running, you would not even know this was an issue. This is only an issue because Democrats are trying to get anyone they can to vote for the chosen one. Where were people talking about this 4 years ago? It only being used becasue there is a large black population that are felons that they desire to tap in order to secure a socialist state. If Obama wasnt running, you would not even know this was an issue.

]]> By: Martin http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86981 Martin Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:17:49 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86981 Once you commit a felon you lose the right to vote, period. Also if you dont pay taxes you should not be allowed to vote and I think there should be legislation enacted to keep people who milk the system from voting, ya know like every single person voting democratic this year. Worthless Liberal vampires. Once you commit a felon you lose the right to vote, period. Also if you dont pay taxes you should not be allowed to vote and I think there should be legislation enacted to keep people who milk the system from voting, ya know like every single person voting democratic this year. Worthless Liberal vampires.

]]> By: Mark http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86980 Mark Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:10:06 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86980 Yes, if they're off parole, have a history of stayin' out of trouble, workin' and supporting themselves and payin' taxes (even better if they've opened a business or bought a home). To disagree is disenfranchising and unAmerican. Anyone can have their life changed and begin anew if they choose to. Yes, if they’re off parole, have a history of stayin’ out of trouble, workin’ and supporting themselves and payin’ taxes (even better if they’ve opened a business or bought a home). To disagree is disenfranchising and unAmerican. Anyone can have their life changed and begin anew if they choose to.

]]> By: John http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86978 John Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:16:26 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86978 mmmmmmmmmmmmm three posts and none have shown up yet..... where did they go? mmmmmmmmmmmmm three posts and none have shown up yet….. where did they go?

]]> By: Tonya http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86977 Tonya Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:15:21 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86977 I don't believe felons should be allowed to vote! They were not responsible enough to make the right choices in thier life. They do not deserve the privelige of voting. I don’t believe felons should be allowed to vote! They were not responsible enough to make the right choices in thier life. They do not deserve the privelige of voting.

]]> By: John http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86975 John Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:47:59 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86975 where is my comment???? where is my comment????

]]> By: John http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86974 John Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:45:47 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86974 hi, i am a convicted felon in ohio, who, upon completion of my sentence and probation has been restored my RIGHT to VOTE. i payed my debt to society and anyone who thinks i should not be able to vote..... I DID MY TIME !!!!!!!! Most , if not all of YOU break laws on a daily basis... speeding, cheating on taxes, cheating on spouse , and a host of other crimes... you simply have not been caught as i was.... so , get of your high horse and quit judging me (felons who have done there time). Unlerss my sentence specifically said as part of my punihment that i would lose my voteing rights for life.... I PAYED the price. period, end of story. hi, i am a convicted felon in ohio, who, upon completion of my sentence and probation has been restored my RIGHT to VOTE. i payed my debt to society and anyone who thinks i should not be able to vote….. I DID MY TIME !!!!!!!! Most , if not all of YOU break laws on a daily basis… speeding, cheating on taxes, cheating on spouse , and a host of other crimes… you simply have not been caught as i was…. so , get of your high horse and quit judging me (felons who have done there time). Unlerss my sentence specifically said as part of my punihment that i would lose my voteing rights for life…. I PAYED the price. period, end of story.

]]> By: William http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86966 William Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:28:24 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86966 After reading these comments it is clear that most of you have forgotten that our founding fathers were all convicted criminals under the British Empire??!! And yet, look at what they accomplished. God is the judge of humanity and when a person has paid their debt to society, who are you to judge whether their repentence is sincere. After regaining their priveledge to vote through the legal process, a person who is taxed on their income has every right to voice their opinion. After reading these comments it is clear that most of you have forgotten that our founding fathers were all convicted criminals under the British Empire??!! And yet, look at what they accomplished. God is the judge of humanity and when a person has paid their debt to society, who are you to judge whether their repentence is sincere. After regaining their priveledge to vote through the legal process, a person who is taxed on their income has every right to voice their opinion.

]]> By: anonymous http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86965 anonymous Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:03:55 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86965 I was convicted of a drug felony almost 10 years ago. I have been clean and sober since then. I have turned my life around because of my arrest, which if I had not got busted I would probably be dead right now. I got a job with the federal government and have been there 6 years, I have been baptized, married, and my wife had my first baby 2 years ago. Alot of awesome things have happened to me since that dreadful night almost 10 years ago. I didnt even know I could vote until I asked a lawyer a couple weeks ago. I am now registered(for the first time) and I am definately voting for McCain..... I was convicted of a drug felony almost 10 years ago. I have been clean and sober since then. I have turned my life around because of my arrest, which if I had not got busted I would probably be dead right now. I got a job with the federal government and have been there 6 years, I have been baptized, married, and my wife had my first baby 2 years ago. Alot of awesome things have happened to me since that dreadful night almost 10 years ago. I didnt even know I could vote until I asked a lawyer a couple weeks ago. I am now registered(for the first time) and I am definately voting for McCain…..

]]> By: Robin A. Cox http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86956 Robin A. Cox Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:50:48 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86956 Convicted felons, who have completed their sentences, have been rehabilitated and have completed an application for Civil Rights Restoration, should be allowed to vote. Convicted felons should not be allowed to vote until the completion of their sentences. Convicted felons, who have completed their sentences, have been rehabilitated and have completed an application for Civil Rights Restoration, should be allowed to vote. Convicted felons should not be allowed to vote until the completion of their sentences.

]]> By: Jeff http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/23/ex-con-let-my-people-vote/#comment-86955 Jeff Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:43:14 +0000 http://foxtracker.wordpress.com/?p=3897#comment-86955 Sounds like more Obama supporters. It really is not that hard to not be a felon. Sounds like more Obama supporters.
It really is not that hard to not be a felon.

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