Felony disenfranchisement is the exclusion from voting of people otherwise eligible to vote due to conviction of a criminal offense, usually restricted to the more serious class of crimes deemed felonies. People service sentences of five years or more are not allowed to vote while they are in jail. Disenfranchisement does not continue after release from jail/prison. The Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 denied the franchise to vote to anyone 'attainted of treason, or who had been convicted and is under sentence or subject to be sentenced for any offence, punishable by imprisonment for one year or longer.' In 1995 the act was relaxed to include only people who are serving prison sentences of more than five years.
66% Yes |
34% No |
47% Yes |
34% No |
10% Yes, but only after completing their sentences and parole/probation |
|
5% Yes, except for felons convicted of murder or violent crimes |
|
4% Yes, every citizen deserves the right to vote |
See how support for each position on “Criminal Voting Rights” has changed over time for 321k Australia voters.
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See how importance of “Criminal Voting Rights” has changed over time for 321k Australia voters.
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Unique answers from Australia users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@4TC3QPN3yrs3Y
Abolish government so no one needs to vote.
@4SZQJ483yrs3Y
Voting is mandatory in this country so we don't have a right to vote, we have an obligation. And no one should be forced to do it.
@4VCWLNQ3yrs3Y
Only if a psychiatrist determines they are in the right head space and isn't trying to get back at the world
@4T94L6M3yrs3Y
raise voting age to 21. raise candidate age too, perhaps to 50.
@4T7R5HX3yrs3Y
Only those who are not on welfare are allowed to vote. Also voting shouldn't be compulsary.
@4T26D3J3yrs3Y
It doesn't matter, voting is a miniscule power and many people who vote are criminals who haven’t been caught.
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