• MiddleWeigh@lemmy.world
      7·
      1 year ago

      Well yea. A felon running for prez implies they are the right kind of felon: wealthy.

      While a felon who can’t vote is : poor, poc, not worthy of participating in our lovely, high-water mark democracy.

    • McNasty@sh.itjust.works
      5·
      1 year ago

      I’m a felon, and I can vote.

      Not a bullshit felony, either. I pled to 3 armed robbery charges, got 14 years with a mandatory 7 in North Carolina.

      My sentence made me ineligible for parole, and when I was released they presented me with a document called “Restoration of Citizenship” which restored all rights (except firearm ownership I think. Not gonna test that one.)

      • HelixDab2@lemm.ee
        6·
        1 year ago

        Assuming that you’re in a better place now where you aren’t going to be committing more violent crimes, you should probably get that clarified.

        In many states, felons do not have the right to vote. That’s been a big push for certain segments of liberals, on the theory that people that can’t vote are less personally invested in the society that they’re a part of. E.g., they’re unable to fully integrate, and therefore are more likely to reoffend.

        • McNasty@sh.itjust.works
          4·
          1 year ago

          I’ve been out more than 25 years, with no recidivism.

          Not all states restore your rights automatically, but the wording on the document is quite clear about restoring voting rights.

          Restoration of Citizenship is a vital document, just like a birth certificate.

          Edit to add a bit of the relevant law:

          All rights are automatically restored upon “unconditional discharge” of sentence or unconditional pardon. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 13-1. This language has been interpreted to include payment of all court debt, a barrier to voting ruled unconstitutional under the State constitution in September, 2020, that is the subject of ongoing litigation.1 The agency releasing the prisoner (or probationer) must file a certificate evidencing unconditional discharge and restoration of the rights of citizenship with the court in the county of conviction (North Carolina state offenses) or the county of residence (for offenses under federal law or the law of another state). § 13-2.

          The paperwork I have mentions “…all rights including the right to vote…” I have gotten conflicting advice on whether that includes firearms, but I’m not pushing it. I can hunt with a bow.