Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Disenfranchisement strips the right to vote in public elections from a citizen or a class of citizens. Felon disenfranchisement laws revoke the voting rights of felons and often ex-felons. The degree of severity of felon disenfranchisement laws varies considerably between U.S. states, and the percentage of black voters disenfranchised in all disenfranchising states is consistently higher than the percentage of all other populations disenfranchised. I employ social control theory to assess the link between the severity of felon disenfranchisement laws and the percentage of black voters disenfranchised and the relative risk of disenfranchisement. I find that the severity of felon disenfranchisement laws has a significant impact on the percentage of black voters disenfranchised in the states and on the relative risk of black disenfranchisement. I also discuss the implications of these findings with respect to the future of minority participation in the democratic process and democratic ideals and social investments.