SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ProCon.org released a new short video last week in its Critical Thinking Video Series that focuses on the debate over whether or not felons should be allowed to vote. The 3:57 video shows both sides of the debate, outlines the current state of felon voting in America, and includes sources for all information referenced.
An estimated 5.85 million people with a felony conviction are barred from voting in elections – a condition known as disenfranchisement. Each state has its own laws on disenfranchisement. While Vermont and Maine allow felons in prison to vote, 12 other states permanently bar some felons from voting even after they have served their sentences and completed all probation and parole.
Proponents of felon re-enfranchisement contend that felons who have paid their debt to society by completing their sentences should have all of their rights and privileges restored. They argue that efforts to block ex-felons from voting are unfair, undemocratic, and politically or racially motivated.
Opponents contend that felon voting restrictions are consistent with other voting limitations such as age, residency, sanity, etc., and other felon restrictions such as no guns for violent offenders and no sex offenders near schools. They argue that convicted felons have demonstrated poor judgment and should not be trusted with a vote.
The video is available on the ProCon.org website at http://felonvoting.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=005543 and on the ProCon.org YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/proconorg.
The video production was generously sponsored by the DC-based Herb Block Foundation, whose "Encouraging Citizen Involvement" grants help to "ensure a responsible, responsive democratic government through citizen involvement."
Other titles in the ProCon.org Critical Thinking Video Series include "Critical Thinking Explained," "Death Penalty: Thomas Edison Electrocutes an Elephant," "Milk: Is It Healthy for Humans?," and "Electronic Voting Machines: Do They Improve the Voting Process?"
For more information about felon voting, visit the ProCon.org felon voting website at http://felonvoting.procon.org which provides historical data, felon demographics, studies, quotes, experts, and more resources related to felon disenfranchisement.
For information about ProCon.org, visit www.procon.org.
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ProCon.org (online at www.procon.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity whose mission is promoting critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship. Information is presented on 50 different ProCon.org issue websites in subjects ranging from Obamacare, alternative energy, and medical marijuana to the death penalty, illegal immigration, and gay marriage.
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