Voting Rights For Felons

Good morning all,

My name is Kevin Michael P. O'Connor, and I am from North Aurora Illinois. Today I wish to start a petition asking for a right which has been taken away from me personally. In April of 2006, I was convicted on two felony counts of burglary, and in response to these crimes I have lost the right to vote. However, I am petitioning to restore voting rights to convicted felons for a couple of different reasons. First, convicted felons, ex-cons (inmates as well), and anyone on parole or probation should have the right to vote simply because the outcome of the election will directly affect their lives. For example, the President may implicate new correctional facility laws that will directly affect the inmates. Also, if an inmate decides to ask for a pardon, he will have to go directly through the Supreme Court and the President, and whoever has won the election will be the people representing these parties. Second, contrary to popular belief, people who have been incarcerated for a period of time can change their lives upon release. I am living proof of this fact because it has been four years since I have served time and I am now in college where I will study medicine. People can change, and they should have the opportunity, as the rest of us do, to vote in elections where their lives can be directly affected. You never know, giving some of these men and women the right to vote may also take them to another state mentally, perhaps changing their minds about different troubles they have been involved with. Please, sign my petition so I can try and get the thousands of convicted felons and inmates the right to vote. I am studying to save lives, which is my passion, but I have never voted and it is my dream to start making a difference in my own life as well. Your time is much appreciated.