ABSTRACT
This chapter sketches the current situation and some of its political implications as well as its historical background. It considers and critiques the liberal and republican arguments for the disenfranchisement of felons and show that they are unpersuasive. The chapter provides reasons for believing that disenfranchisement of felons is not sensible punishment policy. It argues that the social contract doctrine shows that it is morally wrong to deny the vote to convicted felons who have completed their punishments. The chapter also argues that it would both exercise and enhance civic virtue to allow convicted felons–even that still in prison–to vote. It presents a classical liberal argument against disenfranchisement of felons who have served their sentences. The chapter also presents a classical republican argument against disenfranchisement of all felons. These two arguments are not as alternatives, but as cumulative in their force.
