Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by matteotom 4261 days ago
> I am saying that in most states being over 18, with clean record and mentally capable, does not automatically mean someone can vote (as women can).

What are the situations in which men cannot vote if they are over 18, with a clean record and mentally capable?

3 comments

I think he's talking about the Selective Service System aka the draft.

If you're male and haven't signed the document saying you will die for your country at the whim of a random number generator, you cannot apply for federal student loans.

Also In 40 states (+DC) it is a prerequisite for men to sign up for the draft before getting/renewing a driver's license (maybe any gov ID?). I suppose if that is combined with voter ID laws, yes there could be a subset of men in the US who match the clean description and are still unable to vote. That situation does not apply to women.

That's also assuming not registering for the draft (a max sentence of $250,000 / 5 years in prison) still can be called a 'clean record'. I think so.

I'm guessing the unpopular poster is referring to selective service, for which men (and, TBH, trans women) must register, or forfeit numerous "rights". Because war. I hesitate to articulate this, being cis and all, but the strenuous denunciations of this greenbean seem to hint of something ugly in one's opinions of the whole notion of trans.

As far as I know, I'm no relation to the Jesse Austin interviewed in TFA.

As a trans woman I fully agree with your assessment. They clearly have no idea what they're talking about.

Also, selective service is such an absurdly trivial "obstacle." I registered ages ago, and despite a half-dozen moves (and transitioning) since, I haven't ever done anything else about it.

My best guess it that they're talking about selective service, but that's really a very minor formality.