Citizens in the US don’t have a constitutional right to vote. States are granted electors based (roughly) on their population that can vote and are given broad authority in how to determine how these electors are selected. Technically a state could decide how to vote based on drawing names out of a hat.
While the original text neglected to specifically outline the right to vote (other than saying the states were responsible for running elections), there are six amendments to the constitution expanding and clarifying the right to vote. One of these amendments is that senators must be elected by popular vote – not out of a hat.
As far as your point about electors, that’s just for the presidential election. Most elections you vote directly for the people running for office. Sometimes you even get to directly vote on policy matters (propositions or referendums).
Yup! In America convicted felons are not allowed to vote in federal elections and depending on the law of the state they are not allowed to vote in state or municipal elections either. As a result of these policies a disproportionate amount of black and Latino communities have had their right to vote stripped away.
I checked it out and about 4.4 million US citizens cannot vote (excluding the real 51st state: Puerto-Rico) including 1/19 blacks. That’s crazy, it’s as if the country is setup for a one party system from the get go. You don’t need huge prisoner cohorts to make the 3% difference needed for you to remain in power while maintaining an illusion of democracy.
This was by design and started shortly after the civil war. During reconstruction when the South was effectively occupied there was a decade or so where it looked like black people might actually enjoy some enfranchisement. But then the dirty compromise happened and Jim Crow took over. Suddenly black people were going to jail for the most minor infractions, and if they couldn’t get them to break the law, they just lied and said they did anyway.
It’s a matter of state law, as most election stuff is. Trump could vote because he’s a resident of Florida and Florida only bars people convicted of felonies in Florida from voting, and only then until they have fully completed the punishment laid upon them (meaning both any custodial sentence and any fines). Trump was convicted of felonies in New York, so Florida doesn’t care and Trump could vote.
Not exactly. In Florida with a felony conviction from another state you can’t vote if the conviction prevents you from voting in the state where convicted. So the NY rules apply because It’s a NY conviction.
He was convicted in a state court, not a federal court, so the rules are a bit different.
Additionally, elections are administered at the state level, rather than federally, so his home state of Florida makes the rules allowing or disallowing his vote.
they are also legally slaves! the 13th amendment didn’t remove slavery completely:
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Wait. I’m French so this made my brain fry.
In the US prisoners have their constitutional rights removed?
It’s called freedom.
In America, the politicians choose who can vote for them.
Citizens in the US don’t have a constitutional right to vote. States are granted electors based (roughly) on their population that can vote and are given broad authority in how to determine how these electors are selected. Technically a state could decide how to vote based on drawing names out of a hat.
While the original text neglected to specifically outline the right to vote (other than saying the states were responsible for running elections), there are six amendments to the constitution expanding and clarifying the right to vote. One of these amendments is that senators must be elected by popular vote – not out of a hat.
As far as your point about electors, that’s just for the presidential election. Most elections you vote directly for the people running for office. Sometimes you even get to directly vote on policy matters (propositions or referendums).
Yes, I was referring specifically to presidential elections and the electoral college.
Yup! In America convicted felons are not allowed to vote in federal elections and depending on the law of the state they are not allowed to vote in state or municipal elections either. As a result of these policies a disproportionate amount of black and Latino communities have had their right to vote stripped away.
I checked it out and about 4.4 million US citizens cannot vote (excluding the real 51st state: Puerto-Rico) including 1/19 blacks. That’s crazy, it’s as if the country is setup for a one party system from the get go. You don’t need huge prisoner cohorts to make the 3% difference needed for you to remain in power while maintaining an illusion of democracy.
German here.
Amazing, right? I found out a few years ago. Between this, gerrymandering and 2 right parties, that hasnt been a democracy for a long time.
This was by design and started shortly after the civil war. During reconstruction when the South was effectively occupied there was a decade or so where it looked like black people might actually enjoy some enfranchisement. But then the dirty compromise happened and Jim Crow took over. Suddenly black people were going to jail for the most minor infractions, and if they couldn’t get them to break the law, they just lied and said they did anyway.
So… Does this mean the current sitting American president couldn’t vote in the last election?
It’s a matter of state law, as most election stuff is. Trump could vote because he’s a resident of Florida and Florida only bars people convicted of felonies in Florida from voting, and only then until they have fully completed the punishment laid upon them (meaning both any custodial sentence and any fines). Trump was convicted of felonies in New York, so Florida doesn’t care and Trump could vote.
Not exactly. In Florida with a felony conviction from another state you can’t vote if the conviction prevents you from voting in the state where convicted. So the NY rules apply because It’s a NY conviction.
He was convicted in a state court, not a federal court, so the rules are a bit different.
Additionally, elections are administered at the state level, rather than federally, so his home state of Florida makes the rules allowing or disallowing his vote.
CNN wrote a piece about it on election day.
they are also legally slaves! the 13th amendment didn’t remove slavery completely:
BFE