Do You Think Convicted Felons Like the Boston Bomber Should Be Able to Vote From Prison?

During a CNN town hall for Democratic presidential candidates in New Hampshire on Monday night, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said that he supports extending voting rights to felons serving prison sentences, not just when they’re released.

Sanders was asked by a Harvard University student if his support for felon voting rights included terrorists like the Boston bomber ― who was sentenced to death for murdering 3 and injuring hundreds more in bombings at the Boston Marathon in 2013 ― or whether those convicted of sexual assault should be able to vote for candidates who could influence women's rights.

Sanders explained:

“If somebody commits a serious crime, sexual assault, murder, they’re going to be punished. They may be in jail for 10 years, 20 years, 50 years, their whole lives. That’s what happens when you commit a serious crime. But I think the right to vote is inherent to our democracy. Yes, even for terrible people, because once you start chipping away... you’re running down a slippery slope. So I believe that people commit crimes, they pay the price. They get out of jail, I believe they certainly should have the right to vote. But I believe even if they’re in jail, they’re paying their price to society, but that should not take away their inherent American right to participate in our democracy.”

Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee Ronna McDaniel responded:

“If you had any doubt about how radical the Democrat Party has become, their 2020 frontrunner wants to let terrorists convicted of murdering American citizens vote from prison. It’s beyond extreme.”

The same question was asked of other Democratic presidential hopefuls at their Monday night town halls as well. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) said that she’s open to having a “conversation” about whether felons serving prison sentences should have the right to vote, while South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg said their voting rights should only be restored after they’re released.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / Gatsi)