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Show I Arguments For Rebuttal To Utah is one of only four states that permit convicted felons to vote. The others are Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Passage of this proposition will take away that right while convicted felons are in prison. Upon their release, or placement on parole or probation, the right to vote would be restored. Before deciding how to vote on Proposition 4, please take a moment to read the arguments on both sides. The argument in favor of the resolution, submitted by Representative Carl In one sentence, is anything but compelling. it is Saunders states: not, however, the intent Representative of those who favor this Proposition to heap more punishment Then he states: Dont be soft on upon convicted felons. convicted felons. Representative Saunders states that those who have committed crimes against our society have, in a war on our society. sense, declared Apparently Representative Saunders feels that we should use all the weapons at our disposal, in order to win that war. Saunders, The right to vote by prisoners convicted of federal crimes in the federal courts is already taken away by federal law. Adopting this proposition will put Utah in conformity with the policy contained in federal law. Historically, the loss of this privilege was considered a deterrent to crime because citizenship and the right to vote were valued so highly in the Roman and English cultures. The loss of the right to vote was considered to be a form of While passing the amendment may satisfy our innate desire for revenge, it is bad policy. It segregates people into classes, and lengthens the distance between us, when we should be building bridges. If we can convince some felons, especially the growing number of people convicted of drug crimes, that they have an alternative to dropping out of society, we will all be well served. retaliation against those who had broken the social contract by their criminal acts. The U.S. Constitution provides that qualifications for voting be established by the individual states. No state or federal court has ever ruled that state laws denying voting rights to persons convicted of certain serious crimes are unconstitutional. The constitutional amendment will allow the Legislature to add to those who cannot vote. The political pressure to avoid being soft on convicted felons makes it too easy to do just that. Our Constitution is there to protect our basic rights. We believe that those who commit serious crimes against our society and communities have, in a sense, declared war on our society. By their criminal acts, they have indicated that they do not want to live by our laws. Therefore, they should not have a voice in who governs our society, or in other ballot decisions we make. It is not, however, the intent of those who favor this proposition to heap more punishment upon convicted felons. It is their intent and hope that felons will sense the great value we place upon the right to vote. Leave our constitutional protections intact. Vote against Proposition 4. W. Andrew McCullough Proposition 4 sends the message that the right to vote is a privilege that those who choose to obey the law hold sacred. It is not a right to be shared with or offered to those who commit terrible crimes. Utah should join virtually all of the rest of the United States - take the right to vote away from convicted felons until they have made fair recompense for their crimes. Dont be soft on convicted felons. Vote for Proposition 4. Representative Carl R. Saunders, Dist. 11 31 |