Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wants Democrats to take a stand on Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders’s controversial idea of allowing federal prison inmates to vote.
"Let’s vote on [Sanders's] idea to allow rapists, murderers, and terrorists to vote from prison. See where every elected official stands!" Graham said in a tweet Thursday.
The idea was first floated by Sanders during a CNN town hall, when he said every prisoner, including domestic terrorists such as the Boston Marathon bomber, should have the right to vote while they’re jailed.
"I do believe that even if they are in jail, they’re paying their price to society, but that should not take away their inherent American right to participate in our democracy," Sanders said.
He reiterated his support Thursday, The Hill reported, noting he’d "been criticized for saying this, so let me say it again: Every American citizen should have the right to vote, even if they are in jail."
Earlier this week, Graham argued that Sanders should come to South Carolina and explain why convicted 2015 Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof should be allowed to vote.
"I look forward to hearing his explanation — in South Carolina — why Dylan Roof should be allowed to vote in the upcoming elections," he said, The Hill reported.