What is the most important right granted to American citizens? The US government recognizes that this is the right to vote, but this right has been widely tested. Throughout history, humans have enjoyed many rights, for example freedom of speech, religion and many more. One of the most fundamental rights is the right to vote, which has a dramatic impact on the country in which we all live. In the 21st century, America has left segregation as part of a difficult history and focused on promoting equality of opportunity. . Although we live in a time where everyone is equal, more than 5 million convicted felons in 20 states are denied the right to vote. The crimes vary in severity but have the same stigma, a person committing a heinous crime. All crimes are different and not all crimes deserve the same punishment, but I believe everyone deserves to have a say in how their country runs. Accepting someone killing another person is the furthest thing from being right, but if someone serves time and is rehabilitated, why shouldn't they be able to choose who runs our country? When President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act, we saw and ended up denying minorities the right to vote. When a felon is disenfranchised, he or she is disenfranchised. A person is sent to prison or placed on probation to help rehabilitate the offender. The sad thing is that many do not believe enough in the prison system and in changing it for the better of the criminal. When a criminal leaves prison, he returns to society where he has the right to find a job, drive, buy a house and have children, but losing the right to choose who will lead our country is a right which is withdrawn from him. They cannot participate in the vote...... middle of paper ......ced. Even in states where felons have the right to vote, they are rarely informed when they are released from prison. Free prisoners should receive this information during the release process and be assisted in recovering their vote. The process for felons to regain their voting rights should be effective. In Vermont, rumors are circulating that restoring voting rights to felons has had minimal effect because the paperwork is too complicated. Ex-felons applying to vote should have the same eligibility rights and privileges as other voters. The right to vote should not be political rugby. There should be Republican and Democratic support for efforts to help ex-felons regain their voting rights from officials who represent their beliefs. Some Republicans and Democrats will not jump on the bandwagon due to the belief "once a criminal, always a criminal." ».”.