Tools

Should Felons Have the Right to Vote?

By Ashlie Rodriguez

Story Created: Feb 2, 2012 at 7:41 PM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 3, 2012 at 3:04 PM MDT

An estimated 5 million people with a felony conviction have lost their right to vote and the issue is being hotly debated this election year.

Some people believe felons have paid their debt to society and should have their rights restored while others say felons have demonstrated poor judgment and should not be trusted with a vote.

“Everyone who is a felon is not a monster or a bad person,” said convicted felon Jamar Curtis.

No convicted felons aren't monsters, but many people have a bias against them. And one person in particular let his opinion be known on the national stage.

I voted to allow -- to allow them to have their voting rights back once they completed their sentence. Do you agree with that?" said presidential candidate Rick Santorum.
"I don't think people who have committed violent crimes should be allowed to vote again. That's my own view," said presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
The state of Montana does allow felons to vote, so I investigated whether we should be an example for the rest of the country or if we've made a mistake.

“You know everyone deserves a second chance,” said Great Falls Transition Center Administrator Paul Cory.

Cory deals with felons everyday at the transition Center in Great Falls -- working to reincorporate them back into society.

“I would give this community great credit in that they realize that these people are going to be in the community, they are in the community with or without us here, and they make good workers,” Cory said.

And he's seen a high success rate. Ronnie Reynolds received a felony for accruing numerous DUI's, but now has a job at town pump.

“They’ve made a bad chance and because of that, they get a felony,” Reynolds said. “I would hate to see this country go down a road that would forever strip them of the most basic right to be able to vote for someone who is going to make rules that are going to govern their life.”

Jamar Curtis, who has had a series of run-ins with the law for gang activity, is now volunteering at the Community Food Bank.

“Because people perceive you as someone who’s always in trouble, who’s a threat to the community – can’t trust them,” Curtis said. “And I understand that but people have looked over my felonies and realized I was a good kid.”

Felons in Great Falls are not only able to vote, but employers here are willing to higher them. While elsewhere around the country the issue is a sensitive one, here in Montana, both parties agree.

“Real people power exists when people have the right to vote,” said State Senator Mitch Tropilla (D-12). “And Democrats have always consistently supported voting rights and access to polls.”

“Montana State Prison System does a great job with the carrot and the stick,” said State Representative Cleve Loney (R-25). “I think they’re probably one of the best systems in the United States. “They get people back out and back into jobs and get them productively back into society and this is just one of the steps that go along with it.”

Both felons I interviewed for this story said they definitely will be voting this year -- not only because they can---but because they say what happens politically can directly affect them.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Anonymous said on Saturday, Feb 18 at 9:10 PM

i think everyone deserve another chance at life.

Robin said on Wednesday, Feb 8 at 9:14 AM

Who out there helps felons get jobs once they are out of the system? They are felons for life.

randy said on Wednesday, Feb 8 at 9:08 AM

I too would like a follow up on this story and find out who hires felons

Anonymous said on Wednesday, Feb 8 at 9:06 AM

I would like a follow up on this and find out who is hiring

Chris said on Sunday, Feb 5 at 5:07 AM

Sorry 4 typo

Chris said on Sunday, Feb 5 at 5:06 AM

if we can not vote we can not have our right that means we can not even become a nail technician .When men can no longer become productive then we must ask ourselves how the scum bags really are.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

News, Sports, Weather for Great Falls, Helena, and all of Montana and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Great Falls & Helena Weather

Icon
Great Falls Great Falls Intl Airport, MT
Current Temp 57.0 °F
Fair
Wind : Southwest at 8.1 MPH (7 KT)
Pressure : 1013.5 mb
Humidity : 53 %
Icon
Helena Helena Regional, MT
Current Temp 54.0 °F
Fair
Wind : Calm
Pressure : 1016.9 mb
Humidity : 55 %
Click here for our video forecast
More Weather
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

AP Video