A convicted felon as president: Restore voting rights for all felons

By Serita Whiting, Ph.D.

Jackson Advocate Guest Writer

Considering the 47th President will now enter the office as a “convicted” felon, what does this mean for the thousands of Americans disenfranchised by felony convictions? 

Felony disenfranchisement refers to laws restricting or removing certain abilities of individuals who are convicted felons. 

For example, depending on the state, being a convicted felon impacts a person’s right to vote during probation, incarceration, parole, or even after completing the sentence. Some states impose a lifetime ban on voting for people with felony convictions. 

Felony disenfranchisement laws are rooted in historical practices. They can be linked to the post-Civil War era, particularly in the Jim Crow South, when states sought to disenfranchise African Americans. 

Currently, almost four million Americans are denied the right to vote due to a felony conviction. Of these, 1.4 million are Black men. An estimated 33% of Black adults are disenfranchised, compared to 8% of non-Black adults.

In the U.S., more than 15 million Americans are suffering from the collateral damages of felony convictions. Collateral damages consist of, but are not limited to, barriers in employment, housing, and financial aid – further marginalizing individuals with criminal records.   

According to the US Chamber of Commerce, the unemployment rate for individuals with criminal records tends to hover around 30%. This is not because these individuals do not want to work, but stems from being disenfranchised by the laws and the “stigma”  associated with a criminal background. 

Understanding how felony disenfranchisement has negatively impacted the lives of so many Americans, will this change now that the 47th president of the U.S. is a convicted felon? 

Policymakers should consider how felony disenfranchisement impacts millions of  Americans. Changes should be made immediately to eliminate all laws restricting Americans’ right to vote.

 Editor’s Note: Dr. Serita Whiting is a Research Assistant Professor at Prairie View A&M University College of Justice Studies’ Department of Juvenile Justice. Her research interests include the intersectionality of race and gender and how this impacts crime and delinquency.