In many states across the nation, felons (disproportionately black) are barred from voting. However, they are still counted as persons for purposes of representation. And, in many states, they are counted as residents not of their homes prior to incarceration, but rather as denizens of wherever the prison is located.
It may not be obvious at first glance–but it’s the 3/5 compromise all over again.
This is precisely the sort of easily-missed policy which perpetuates the continual racial hierarchy present in America today. Few people really would see this sort of thing and be immediately moved to outrage. And yet, this has all the benchmarks of a classic racist policy: it dilutes black voter strength (including those who committed no crime), raises white voter strength, empowers white rural representatives, and gives them a perverse incentive to pass laws to put as many black people in prison as reasonably possible.
Disgusting.