Felons can vote in my home state of California. 

I had always believed—it seemed to be one of those facts that everyone knew, but that I never read for myself—that felons, ex-convicts, those on parole or probation, could not vote.  And still could not vote when released. 

Waiting for a haircut this weekend, I perused a recent copy of Vibe because Barack Obama was on the cover and I wanted to see what ridiculous things he had to say.  I was distracted by two graphics—one was a chart of 2008 candidates and their positions on select issues, the other was a US map color-coded by states’ voting rights for felons.

Only it said “ex-felon” as if to say once someone has served their sentence, they have ceased to be a felon.  Sorry, but my understanding of the word (and backed by the trusty OED) is that once a felon always a felon.  I believe the correct term they are looking for is “ex-convict.” 

Sure, some felons were convicted for possessing cocaine or engaging in fisticuffs outside a tavern or passing some bad checks.  Nothing so heinous that one could not repent and go on to live a productive life. 

But most felonies are crimes of severe moral turpitude: murder, rape, child molestation, armed robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, weapons offenses, gang activity, &cetera. 

It’s absolutely fair to disenfranchise the felons who took it upon themselves to disenfranchise a fellow citizen and human being of his or her life or property. 

I’m no legal scholar, but surely granting felons and ex-cons the vote would have a negative impact when our state votes on criminal issues.  California has over a quarter of a million current convicts and I don’t know how many ex-convicts because all my searches for such information only brought back statistics showing how latinos and blacks are “targeted” by any policy that seeks to punish those who commit crimes. 

What if (in this state it’s a big what-if) there was a proposition that increased mandatory minimums or put tougher restrictions on parole eligibility.  Or, quite likely, a proposition to abolish the death penalty?  It’s a definite possibility that the ex-con vote could sway the measure.

Don't even mention if we vote to repeal felons' voting rights. 

Since when did voting become a right?  (Well, actually, I know the answer to that is 1870, 1920, 1965,  and  1971.)  I think everyone agrees that voting is a great honor—how many great honors are also automatic, unquestionable entitlements?  I thought you had to earn honors and privileges.  Being a citizen in good standing, being literate, being able to understand how the ballot works—these requirements are somehow racist or otherwise unfair? 

Are we going to let Osama Bin Laden vote in 2008?  Probably, he was never caught and convicted.