A convicted killer can vote so why can't I?
Friday June 24 2011
Why should an Irish murderer be able to cast a postal vote from Portlaoise prison in the upcoming presidential election when I am prohibited from doing the exact same thing from California?
It is ironic that Irish prisoners have more voting rights than law-abiding Irish ex-patriots.
But here in the United States, the voting system operates in just the opposite manner. Every American state (except Maine and Vermont) prohibits its prisoners from voting, whereas law-abiding US citizens residing abroad are entitled to cast a postal ballot in US presidential elections.
The Irish government should emulate the wisdom of the federal and state governments in the United States and get its priorities straight.
It should disenfranchise its prisoners and enfranchise its ex-patriots.
kevin james o'mahony
san jose, california
Irish Independent
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
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