The climate in the US has been heated over the past couple of years, with tensions especially high during the run up to the 2018 midterm elections that took place on 6 November. While many saw this election as a vote on the Trump presidency, Americans were not only deciding whether Democrats or Republicans would hold the House and the Senate, they were also casting their voices on a number of intriguing ballot measures.

One of the most publicized measures was Florida’s Amendment 4, which sought to restore voting rights to former felons, exempting people convicted of murder and felony sex offences. It is reported that approximately 1.5 million people in Florida have committed felonies,* and because they are not restored the right to vote upon serving their sentences, almost one in 10 Floridians is unable to participate in the elections. On 6 November, history was made when more than 60 per cent of voters opted in favor of the amendment.

Opponents to the measure were of the view that people who have committed felonies must demonstrate that they are truly reformed before being granted voting rights. They favored the process that was in place, where former felons were required to obtain a grant of mercy to have their civil rights restored. In practice, this meant people had to wait 5–7 years after serving their sentences before submitting such a request, and often several more years for a hearing due to the backlog of cases. Supporters of the amendment argued that, once a person has served his or her time, the debt is paid, and that a quick reintroduction into society helps lower the risk of reoffending. Desmond Meade, a lawyer and former felon who campaigned for the measure, argued “we [the US] are a nation of second chances.”(CNN)

In the end, a majority of the people of Florida agreed with this view, and opted to vote in favor of the bill that automatically restores the right to vote to felons who have served their time. What does this result tell us about the American view on crime, punishment, and redemption? And what can we Buddhists make of it?

Perhaps the most pertinent story offered to us by the Buddhist texts is that of Angulimala, the thief and murderer turned Brahmin. Indeed, Angulimala spent a number of years terrorizing the realm of King Pasenadi, and infamously wore the fingers of his victims as a necklace. However, the bandit’s life was transformed when Shakyamuni Buddha sought him out and performed a feat of supernatural power; he made it so that the bandit, who was running aggressively towards him, was unable to catch up with him. Eventually, the bandit ended up shouting “Stop!” to the Buddha, to which the Wise One replied “I have stopped, Angulimala. You stop.” (Access To Insight)

After the conversation that followed, the bandit decided to abandon his immoral life and enter the monkhood. The Buddha clearly saw the potential for growth in Angulimala, who eventually went on to attain Nirvana. The story teaches us that despite our wrongdoings, we all have the potential for redemption and enlightenment.