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[–] 26 points 2 years ago* (6 children)

Wait, are criminals not allowed to vote in the US?

Jesus fucking hell, that is not ok.

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  • [–] 42 points 2 years ago* (1 child)

    I think that's a rule from the 1870's mostly aimed at preventing black people from voting.

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  • [–] 31 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

    Yep, in combination with "vagrancy" laws.

    Here's how the scheme worked:

    1. Refuse to hire blacks for anything more than "might as well still be slavery" wages.

    2. Arrest unemployed blacks for "vagrancy."

    3. Re-enslave them (see "except as punishment for crime" clause of the 14th Amendment) and disenfranchise them as a bonus.

    Edit: BTW, I highly recommend this video, which is where I learned about this (because it sure as Hell wasn't properly taught in my Georgia high school).

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  • [–] 6 points 2 years ago

    Yeah, it varys from pretty fucked up to unreasonably fucked up depending on the state. Some states, you're not able to vote while serving your term. In other states, you lose your right to vote for life.

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