It is estimated that more than 4 million Americans are unable to exercise their right to vote due to prior criminal convictions. The irony is that they are free because the government believes they have transformed, but continues to deny them the opportunity to participate in changing the society to which they belong. All of this can be attributed to some outdated laws, some related to the Jim Crow system that prevents the minority from voting. Surprisingly, the voting ban for ex-offenders could last a lifetime. In Florida, for example, many African American men are alienated throughout their lives. Such laws are coercive and diminish citizens' democracy. They also make it difficult for prisoners to reintegrate into society and make them more vulnerable to returning to crime. Penal reform advocates and politicians have noted that denying ex-offenders their right to vote is linked to high incarceration rates and shows that America is not ready to give people a second chance even after they have changed their behavior. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Voting is a fundamental part of our democracy; one could even discuss its basis. Felony disenfranchisement is one of the longest-running and widely accepted forms of voter suppression that exists today. Once a person's debt to society has been paid, is it acceptable to continue to deny them basic rights such as voting? And if so, how? Some states answer yes to this question and one of these punishments is the loss of the right to vote. Advocates across America are coming together to challenge these laws in court. Arguing that once they pay their debt to society, we must allow them to fully reintegrate into society. By definition, disenfranchisement is the act of suspending or revoking a person's right to vote because he or she has been convicted of a crime. This act is not limited exclusively to criminals, the laws vary from state to state. However, felons are unanimously barred from voting in any state that has laws regarding a convicted felon's right to vote. The way the 14th Amendment is written protects the right of states to disenfranchise felon voters. The founding fathers provide an example in which a state can revoke the right to vote and this "except for participation in rebellions or other crimes." This then allows states to begin removing men of voting age from the pool of eligible voters under the “other crimes” clause. Voter disenfranchisement disproportionately affects the African American community. The timing of these laws also has some significance. The fact that it was established at the same time that the voting rights of African American men were 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, leading them to also be the most affected by disenfranchisement. 1 in 16 African American adults is currently disenfranchised due to a prior felony conviction. This is a rate 3.7% higher than any other race. Overall, 1 in 44 eligible Americans is currently disenfranchised. So, who helps voter disenfranchisement? This does not appear to contribute to the idea of ​​a fair democratic process. They appear to offer no benefit to the.