The vast majority of Leicester Mercury readers believe prisoners should not be given the vote, according to an online poll.
We set up a vote on our thisisleicestershire website ahead of yesterday's House of Commons statement on the issue.
Under the current law, inmates lose the right to take part in elections unless they are on remand. However, a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights has said Britain must remove the blanket ban because it breaches human rights.
MPs previously voted in February to keep the ban.
The Mercury's poll asked: "Should prisoners have the vote?"
Some 377 voted, with 86 per cent saying no and 14 per cent saying yes.
Yesterday, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling told MPs they could defy the European Court as he outlined draft legislation with options to allow prisoner voting.
While MPs could keep the ban, they will also be asked to consider giving the vote to convicts serving up to six months or those serving jail terms of up to four years.
Prime Minister David Cameron has previously said the thought of giving prisoners the vote made him "physically ill".
Leicester East MP Keith Vaz had asked his constituents to let him know their thoughts on the issue before yesterday's announcement.
He said: "It is subject that provokes intense debate. I want to thank residents for letting me know their views.
"The results are conclusive – prisoners should not be allowed the right to vote.
"I agree. When a person commits a crime they deprive themselves of certain rights.
"I will be voting against prisoners having the right to vote."
The Mercury tried to contact other county and city MPs yesterday, but none responded.
A number of Mercury readers have commented online on the issue.
Patrick4939 said: "I believe by violating the rights of a person, convicted people should automatically lose their rights until they have served their time."
DerekClarkMEP said: "I do not think prisoners should be allowed to vote. The whole point is they have offended against society and lost the right to participate in society.
"Naturally, this should not apply to those on remand whose guilt has yet to be proved."
Joycealice243 said: "Do these prisoners bleating about human rights ever stop to think about the human rights of their victims?"
However, unbiased wrote: "They are still citizens and they must have a right to vote, it is the very basic of human rights."
