This Google Site contains a series of primary and secondary sources on the history of felony disenfranchisement in Massachusetts. Felony disenfranchisement is the denial of the right to vote due to conviction of a criminal offense, usually restricted to the felony class of crimes. "Felony crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery. In Massachusetts, a felony is defined as a crime that can be punished by a state prison sentence up to and including life in prison."

Each page consists of a contextual paragraph that provides background information for the document(s) and excerpts from one or more primary documents. Some of the documents have been edited for length. As you analyze the documents, consider both the original source and its author’s point of view. The companion Google Form contains questions about the documents.

The Documents:

Document A: The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, October 25, 1780

Document B: The New York Times article “Inmate Runs for Selectman in Concord,” April 26, 1976

Document C: “Information for Voters Guide,” 2000

Document D: Article 3 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, December 6, 2000

Document E: Nationwide map depicting “State Felon Voting Laws,” December 2019

Document F: The Boston Globe article “Mass. Senator Wants to Restore Voting Rights for Incarcerated Felons,” April 12, 2019

Document G: Nationwide map depicting states moving “Toward Eliminating Felony Disenfranchisement,” February 7, 2019