ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Felony disenfranchisement in the United States

Okay kiddo, let's talk about something called "felony disenfranchisement" in the United States.

Firstly, "felony" means that someone has committed a very serious crime that can send them to jail or prison. "Disenfranchisement" means that someone is not allowed to vote in elections or have any say in who gets to make important decisions in their community.

So, when a person is convicted of a felony in the United States, they may lose their right to vote, as well as other rights such as serving on a jury or holding public office. This can happen even after they have completed their sentence and paid their debt to society.

This is because some states believe that if someone has committed a serious crime, they can't be trusted to make good decisions in elections or have any influence in government. However, some people argue that this takes away their rights as citizens and that everyone, even those who have committed crimes, should have a say in who makes important decisions that affect their lives.

It's kind of like being sent to time-out and then not being allowed to play with your favorite toy even after you've said sorry and promised to be good. Some people think that it's fair, but others think it's not. It's an ongoing debate and different states have different laws regarding felony disenfranchisement.