Lol Usa!

[RapidCP]

LOL, read the last paragraph in the Kentucky Constitution Section 145 Rights to vote.

http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/legresou/constitu/145.htm

[Turing_Gamer]

Quote:

...but the following persons are excepted and shall not have the right to vote.

...

3. Idiots and insane persons.

[SNIPERDUDE]

True. If you are diagnosed as such by a medical professional, you lose your right to vote until stated otherwise.

[USEC_OFFICER]

So if I was a medical professional, I could say that people were idiots and (perhaps) get away with it?

"I'm sorry sir, but according to the tests, you are actually an idiot."

[petree08]

Idiot is kind of an interesting word in it's history.

It used to be the technical term for mentally challenged or mentally disabled.

The word started to be used as an insult to relate people doing stupid things to being mentally challenged. Eventually idiot was being used more to describe stupidity so other words became used as the technical term of mentally challenged. The word retard only really came about because people used the previous term idiot as an insult, now that retard is considered an insult we use mentally challenged or disabled.

[petree08]

but the point I was trying to make was that when that bill was written the word Idiot was probably being used to say mentally disabled.

[USEC_OFFICER]

They why didn't they say mentally disabled?

[petree08]

because the bill was written back when idiot was used that way.

[USEC_OFFICER]

Oh, I though this was fairly recent. Never mind.

[Turing_Gamer]

AHH I hate history. But I guess that is a good reason since idiots can be told to vote for someone AND THEY WOULD DO IT. Idiots...

[DemonWasp]

Historically, a lot of laws like this were used to oppress minorities. Minority citizens would be deemed "idiots" or "insane" and denied their right to vote. Similar things have happened with sterilization laws, too.

[billy10388]

RapidCP @ Fri Apr 30, 2010 1:51 am wrote:

LOL, read the last paragraph in the Kentucky Constitution Section 145 Rights to vote.

http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/legresou/constitu/145.htm

Such a very amazing link!

[Nick]

Quote:

Text as Ratified on: November 8, 1955.
History: 1955 amendment was proposed by 1954 Ky. Acts ch. 2, sec. 1; original version ratified August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.

most likely idiot == mentally disabled

[Cezna]

Nick @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 11:17 am wrote:

Quote:

Text as Ratified on: November 8, 1955.
History: 1955 amendment was proposed by 1954 Ky. Acts ch. 2, sec. 1; original version ratified August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.

most likely idiot == mentally disabled

petree08 wrote:

Idiot is kind of an interesting word in it's history.

It used to be the technical term for mentally challenged or mentally disabled.

The word started to be used as an insult to relate people doing stupid things to being mentally challenged. Eventually idiot was being used more to describe stupidity so other words became used as the technical term of mentally challenged. The word retard only really came about because people used the previous term idiot as an insult, now that retard is considered an insult we use mentally challenged or disabled.

It does mean mentally disabled.
I had heard that before, but never knew mentally disabled and insane people were not allowed to vote (it makes sense though, I geuss).

Is this law common across other states and countries? What about Canada?

*** (Anybody who can answer last two questions gets cake!) ***

[Tony]

Ontario:

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90e06_e.htm#BK40

Disqualifications are referenced in other places... Time for research.