• The full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing arguments today about a 2019 Florida law that restored felons’ voting rights. The plaintiffs argue the law implementing a constitutional amendment doesn’t follow voters’ intent.
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• A federal judge has ruled that the Florida law requiring felons to pay legal fees as part of their sentences before regaining the vote is unconstitutional for those unable to pay, or unable to find out how much they owe.
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• Amendment 4 was approved in Florida at the end of 2018 by 64 percent of the electorate, restoring the right to vote to more than a million ex-felons. But when our state Legislature passed the bill in May 2019 implementing the ballot measure, they restricted rights restoration to those who had paid off all outstanding restitution, fines and court fees. Now, more than a year after the battle was won and just months away from a pivotal presidential election, Florida’s returning citizens are unsure of their rights. Some counties, like Miami-Dade and Palm Beach, have created so called “rocket dockets” where judges expedite approval of payment, replacing fines with community service when necessary. But in Orange and Osceola counties, returning …
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• Time Magazine has named Desmond Meade one of this year’s 100 most influential people in the world. Meade was the driving force behind the passage last November of amendment 4, restoring the voting rights of Floridians convicted of a felony who have served their sentence.
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• Once again, Florida lawmakers have heard the voice of the people, and offered us legislation that all but ignores it.
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• State leaders and supervisors of elections are calling for clarification on how Amendment Four should be carried out.
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• Nearly one and a half million former felons will regain the right to vote in Florida on Tuesday.
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