Sadly, there are dishonorable people who will vote for a convicted felon. There are also deranged people who will vote for a convicted felon BECAUSE s/he IS a convicted felon. Some people just want to watch the world burn.
The sentencing process takes time. Prosecution and Defense prepare their recommendations. The Probation Office prepares their recommendations. The convicted’s life, in relation to the crime, is investigated for mitigating circumstances. There are sentencing hearings, defendant testimony, and a whole lot more. It takes time.
Mysterious are the ways of Marx.