WHY FELONS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE
Felony disenfranchisement disproportionately strips the right to vote from Black Americans, directly diluting their political power and representation. Nationally, about 1 in 22 Black adults is disenfranchised due to a felony conviction.
This rate is more than three times higher than that of non-Black Americans, and in several states, upwards of 10% to 15% of the Black voting-age population is barred from the ballot box. source
Historical and Structural Context Felony disenfranchisement laws trace their roots back to the post-Civil War era.
Southern lawmakers specifically designed these laws alongside targeted criminal codes to circumvent the 15th Amendment and prevent newly enfranchised Black men from voting.
Today, this legacy persists because racial disparities in the criminal justice system mean Black individuals are arrested and incarcerated at vastly disproportionate rates. source
Impact on Black Communities the disenfranchisement of formerly and currently incarcerated Black people extends far beyond the individuals who lose their right to vote: