Felon Disenfranchisement: A Case Study of African American Voter Turnout in New York and Florida
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Date
2023
Authors
Lowell, Julie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Felon disenfranchisement is the suspension of voting rights for citizens with a felony conviction. These laws have been around since the Jim Crow era (early nineteenth century) in America, and while two states have done away with felon disenfranchisement all together (Maine and Vermont), there are many who still have very restrictive voting rights for felons as well as difficult processes in order to earn the right to vote back. I analyze the history behind the adoption of American felon disenfranchisement laws, the rationales behind laws, their ability to achieve criminal sanction rationales (deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation, and incapacitation) and how the implementation of these laws have changed since their first appearance in the United States. I chose to take a multi-faceted approach by conducting a case study between New York and Florida — they have similar populations, African American populations, poverty rates, Florida has more restrictive disenfranchisement laws than New York does — to understand how felon disenfranchisement law affects African American voter turnout. With this understanding, I will posit a mock statute regarding felony disenfranchisement that I believe will balance the relevant interests for proponents and opponents of felon disenfranchisement.
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Keywords
Felon disenfranchisement, Criminal disenfranchisement, Disenfranchisement policy, Felon disenfranchisement statistics, Felon disenfranchisement history