A proposed bill that would allow incarcerated individuals to vote has been introduced by a group of legislators in the General Assembly. The bill, proposed by Rep. Elliott of the 88th District, Rep. Arnone of the 58th District, Rep. Berger-Girvalo of the 111th District, Rep. Chafee of the 33rd District, Rep. Bumgardner of the 41st District, Rep. D'Agostino of the 91st District, Rep. Paris of the 145th District, Rep. Luxenberg of the 12th District, and Sen. Lopes of the 6th District, aims to amend title 9 of the general statutes to allow individuals while incarcerated to become electors and vote.
Critics of the bill argue that allowing incarcerated individuals to vote undermines the principle that voting is a privilege earned by being a responsible member of society. They believe that those who have been convicted of a crime and are serving time in prison have shown a disregard for the laws and rights of others, and therefore should not be allowed to participate in the democratic process.
Others argue that allowing incarcerated individuals to vote could lead to potential voter fraud and manipulation, as prison populations are often controlled by a small number of individuals. These individuals may use their influence to sway the vote in a certain direction, potentially leading to a corrupt election.
In addition, some argue that the resources and logistics of implementing such a law would be overwhelming. The process of registering and verifying incarcerated individuals to vote would require significant resources and funding, which could be better spent on other important issues facing the state.
While the bill's supporters argue that allowing incarcerad individuals to vote is a matter of basic human rights and fairness, critics argue that the potential consequences outweigh the benefits. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Government Administration for further review.