Lesson Plan

Felony Disenfranchisement

Illustration of a prisoner looking at a voting ballot box outside of his access

Related Content

Civics Lesson

GRADE LEVEL: High School

On What Grounds, If Any, Should an Adult U.S. Citizen Be Prevented from Voting?

Should There Be Felony Disenfranchisement Laws?

 

During the 2018 midterm elections, Florida voted on whether to allow those who have been incarcerated to gain back their right to vote. Florida was one of a handful of states that did not allow previous felons to have their voting rights restored following completion of their prison sentences. Various states have different laws in place for felony disenfranchisement and only two states allow those who are still incarcerated to vote. This means that there is a large group of the U.S. population who are unable to vote. This can impact elections and local laws in a variety of ways.

About the Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will participate in a Philosophical Chairs dialogue about whether felony disenfranchisement should remain intact.

Standard(s):

D2.Civ.2.9-12

Objective(s):

Discuss the pros and cons of felony disenfranchisement.