Criminal disfranchisement proved to be a hot issue in the
Republican presidential debates recently, leading to a CNN poll
asking, “Should felons be allowed to vote after serving their
sentences?” The results showed that the majority feel that those
with past convictions should have that right. The Washington
Post also editorialized on the issue Friday, making the point
that it is unjust to prevent “individuals from having a full
stake and a full voice in the community and its leadership”
after they have already paid their debts to society and earned
their right to freedom. Additionally, the Post ran an op-ed by
Charles Colson, founder of the Prison Fellowship and former
counsel to President Richard Nixon who also saw no point in
denying the right to vote for those who have already served
their time. “Voting does not put anyone in danger,” he wrote.
“Sound public policy would teach us that if we want to turn ex-
offenders into responsible citizens, we must demand of them
responsible behavior. And once they demo