T.I. Rocks the Vote Despite Felon Status

Rap star and convicted felon T.I. exercised his right to vote today in Georgia. The rapper admitted that he was unaware he still had the right to place a vote considering he's a convicted felon, but under Georgia law felons are eligible if they're not currently serving probation or a prison sentence.

"It's a relief," T.I. said as he waited in line at a polling center in Atlanta. "This is what it is all about, not staying up late and waking up early to vote," he added as took advantage of the early voting polling station. "Now rather than just talking about it, I'm being about it. I'm leading by example, and it makes me feel a lot better."

The rapper has had a few run-ins with the law, which includes his 2007 arrest in a Walgreens parking lot for attempting to buy a slew of machine guns and silencers. T.I. pleaded guilty to illegal weapons possession and was sentenced to seven months of house arrest, 1,500 hours of community service and one year in jail. He'll begin serving his one-year sentence in March.

"Until he is sentenced in the federal case, he doesn't have a conviction yet," T.I.'s attorney Steve Sadow confirmed. "Even though he is a convicted felon, he has a right to vote since he is not serving probation and hasn't started his prison sentence."

In related news, Atlanta duo Playaz Circle want to spread the word and raise awareness for convicted felons' voter registration rights. Like T.I., many felons are unaware of their voting rights, which accounts for a large number of unregistered voters across the country. Playaz Circle is working with organizations to shed some light on issues involving the disenfranchisement of felons.


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November 15 2009 at 12:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chevonnetrottie

This is the reason why the UNITED States is so divided. People make it impossible for forgiveness. Many people can comment on his actions but can't relate. It's not even the fact that you are a product of your environment as much as trying to survive. You can easily slur his name but you will never understand until you are in that position. Why shouldn't he be able to protect his family. I mean he is famous. People are crazy now a days and tend to go after family members. I feel if his conviction was unrelated, he should be able to own a fire arm.

As far as the taxing of people with money. Well I think the economy speaks for itself. In the past, people over the 250,000 bracket were taxed at 39%. Gas and food were cheap and the economy was in a much better state. Now every time something happens, they relay on the lower/middle class to make up for it. These people don't make over 60,000 a year so why increase there taxes so they can barley eat and struggle to keep the people that have million dollar boats and houses and cars can make it rain in the streets why we can't afford gas and food. It's makes no sense. Not only do they get over, but the find loop holes to not pay taxes at all leaving it to the people busting the backs for a check. You're so quick to belittle the "poor" people but everyone does jobs that need to be done, the teachers, police, garbage men, these are job that are necessary to have a stable economy and these people do what you feel you are to good for. They deserve something for there devotion and sacrifice. But I'm sure Paris Hilton or those in her tax bracket would go broke if they were increased from 36% to 39% taxed. How will they survive?

With this behavior and attitude, it's no wonder the economy, the crime, the education is where it is. I feel sad for us all. It's evident if there isn't change and soon. We're all doomed. And the issues that you are complaining about will be the least of our worries.

Just Sad!!

November 04 2008 at 10:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ms. Piggy

first of all ya'll need to stop hatin on T.I. and liva ya life!!! SO WHAT HE GOT CONVICTED HES STILL TRYNA DO RIGHT AND VOTE SO HOP OFF HIS TOP LOSERS

November 03 2008 at 12:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bianca

WOW. YALL ALL ARE REDICULAS. T.I. is a human being before he is a felony. Yea he made a mistake but at least he admitted to it and is not hiding what he did. He has apologized to his fans and everyone else. So it’s clear that you just saw the headline and just had to comment because he is a African American male who is a convicted felon. He is a good person. The law against convicted felons needs to be changed. Not all convicted felons should lose their right to vote. Yea a gun charge is serious but should they lose their right. NO. After all if there is a person running for president who agrees with guns. Then America is really messed up.

November 02 2008 at 7:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mommy

Good for him.... I think everyone that can vote, SHOULD. Think of all the non-felons who can & don't bother b/c there 2 lazy, can't find that time, or whatever other excuse they can think of. Those that can't because of a real reason

October 31 2008 at 10:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rbdrew4

felon or not, to not allow to vote is taxation with out representation, if you are not allowed to vote, then you are not being represented. correct me if i am wrong, but i think we have laws about that. remember tha boston tea party? if you are not allowed to vote then you don't have to pay ANY tax. Gas tax, sales tax, property tax, ect.

October 31 2008 at 10:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Beth

There goes another lever pulled for Nobama!

October 31 2008 at 10:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
neesee

Oh Boy! Convicted felon rappers voting. Now
THERE'S a good idea. Why don't we go on down
to death row and ask their opinion?

October 31 2008 at 9:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to neesee's comment
cdowell

You know...you got a point. I like the way you think. After you have committed a crime your rights(certain ones) should be taken away or else there will be no consequences for bad behavior.

November 02 2008 at 6:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
steve

What a F*&^%$# Joke! Like it really matters to him who wins!

October 31 2008 at 9:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
La Toya Murphy

The whole gun thing was stupid, but hey... All gun radicals should be proud. Gotta be weary of those loop-holes. He is a felon, and felons should not be able to vote, but our hands are tied (I'm a Democrat by the way). And fedsdirty... If you're going to promote McCain and bash the only plausable plan for American getting out of debt, at least make it funny. You're comment was lame, just like your "member".

October 31 2008 at 9:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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