He Votes No on Ex-Cons

Re “States Limit Ex-Cons’ Voting Rights, Report Says,” Feb. 16: I am not a lawyer, but it is my understanding that loss of the franchise stems from British common law. Its motivation is that a felon, having broken the “social compact,” has relinquished the right to take part in the civilized process of voting.

The loss of voting rights is part of the punishment for having committed a felony. What we need is a constitutional amendment making it clear that convicted felons may not vote. James F. Glass

Chatsworth