It is estimated that more than 4 million Americans cannot exercise their right to vote because they have been linked to prior criminal convictions. The irony is that they are free because the government believes they have transformed themselves, but it nevertheless denies them the opportunity to participate in changing the society to which they belong. All of this can be blamed on some outdated laws, some linked to the Jim Crow system that prevents the minority from going to the polls. Surprisingly, the ban on ex-cons voting could last a lifetime. In Florida, for example, many African-American men are alienated for life. Such laws are coercive and undermine citizens’ democracy. They also make the social reintegration of convicted persons difficult and make them more vulnerable to returning to crime. Penal reform advocates and policymakers have observed that denying formerly incarcerated people their right to vote is linked to high rates of imprisonment and shows that America is not ready to give people second chances even after they change their behavior. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayVoting is a fundamental part of our democracy; we could even discuss its basis. Felony disenfranchisement is one of the oldest and most widely accepted forms of voter suppression in existence today. Once a person's debt to society is paid, is it acceptable to continue to deny them basic rights like voting? And if so, how? Some states answer yes to this question, and one of those penalties is losing their right to vote. Across America, advocates are gathering to challenge these laws in court. Arguing that once this debt to society is paid, we must allow them to fully reintegrate into society. By definition, disenfranchisement is the act of suspending or taking away a person's right to vote because they have been convicted of a crime. This act is not limited only to criminals, laws vary from state to state. However, felons are unanimously prohibited from voting in any state with laws regarding the voting rights of convicted felons. The way the 14th Amendment is written protects states' rights to disenfranchise criminal voters. The Founding Fathers give an example in which a state can revoke its right to vote, "except for participation in rebellion or other crime." This then allows states to begin removing males of voting age from the pool of eligible voters under the “other crimes” clause. Disenfranchisement disproportionately affects the African American community. The timing of these laws is also of some importance. The fact that it was established at the same time that African-American men's right to vote was being considered led some to believe that it was an attack on those rights. (Wikipedia) African American men are incarcerated at a much higher rate than any other group of men, which also leads them to be the most affected by felony disenfranchisement. One in sixteen African American adults are currently disenfranchised due to their prior felony conviction. This is a rate 3.7% higher than that of any other breed. Overall, 1 in 44 Americans eligible to vote are currently disenfranchised. So who does disenfranchisement help? This does not seem to contribute to generating.