[SaxxonWoods]

I’m still waiting to hear why a felon who has paid his/her debt to society shouldn’t be able to vote.

Have yet to hear a single reason.

[EnquiringMind]

Have they REALLY paid their debt? Or have they been in prison living off taxpayers $$ while pumping iron, cooking up plots, waiting to get right back into their old ways with extra muscle and new ideas? Wow, you are a bit naive.

[dennisw]

“I’m still waiting to hear why a felon who has paid his/her debt to society shouldn’t be able to vote.”

Bad for Florida and no way should it be automatic. That’s just plain lazy. Which was just passed. For felons to get back their right to vote they should have to go though a process. If they cannot make this effort than to heck with them.

[clintonh8r]

Because loss of the voting right is part of the so-called “debt.” “The debt” is a prison sentence plus other punishments including loss of certain rights. Get it now?

[Kazan]

I’m still waiting to hear why a felon who has paid his/her debt to society shouldn’t be able to vote.

For the same reason we don't allow 15-year olds to vote. The state has interest in assuring responsible citizens vote, not losers that have committed serious crimes.

Not being allowed to vote is part of the punishment and deterrent.