DeSantis, Florida officials sued over felon voter eligibility rules, โelection policeโ
A new federal lawsuit accuses Florida officials, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, of making it difficult for convicted felons to determine their voter eligibility, and using the stateโs Office of Election Crimes and Security to intimidate, all in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act.
Timeline: Effort to restore former felons voting rights in Florida
In response, more than a dozen former felons and voting rights groups sued Gov. Florida Rights Restoration Coalition raised $27 million to pay off fines and fees for more than 40,000 returning citizens statewide by the Presidential Election. The FRRC led the 2018 ballot initiative to restore voting rights to ex-felons. Prior to the amendment the only way former felons would have their voting rights restored in Florida was to wait at least five years before asking the Florida Clemency Board to restore their voting rights. This amendment would automatically restore voting rights to non-violent offenders if they completed their parole and probation periods.
Hundreds gather to rally returning citizens to vote early in Orlando
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ With Election Day being less than two weeks away, leaders from the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition said statewide theyโve paid off fines and fees for 40,000 returning citizens in an effort to encourage them to vote. The organization used Saturday as a statewide day of action where thousands of returning citizens are expected to early vote. โThis year is the first time they get a chance to participate with society,โ he said. He said his organization has since paid off fines and fees for more than 40,000 returning citizens statewide so they can vote. After performing at Florida Rights Restoration Coalitionโs #FreeTheVote, rapper and activist Common took part in a roundtable discussion with SEIU union workers, which represents thousands of workers in the service industry.
Presidential campaigns to crisscross Florida over weekend
ORLANDO, Fla. โ President Donald Trump kicked off a weekend full of campaigning across Florida as both sides try to lock in votes ahead of Election Day. I like The Villages,โ Trump said at a campaign stop in Marion County on Friday. โWeโre going to win the state of Florida. Weโre going to win four more years in the White House.โโThe clock is ticking. Clark points to this weekendโs campaign schedule as proof that Florida is a battleground for the presidency.
Thousands of returning citizens expected to early vote in Florida on Saturday
Theyโre calling Saturday a statewide day of action where thousands of returning citizens are expected to early vote. In Orlando, weโre told hundreds of returning citizens will march through Parramore Saturday to the Amway Center to early vote. News 6 was there when Meade legally registered to vote last year after amendment 4 passed in Florida. โThere are thousands upon thousands of returning citizens who are yearning for this opportunity, and they will not be denied and theyโre going to show up,โ Meade said. He said his organization has since paid off fines and fees for more than 40,000 returning citizens statewide so they can vote.
1 million face masks donated to returning citizens for Election Day
Meade said heโs inspired knowing that other returning citizens like him are getting their first chance to soon vote in a presidential election. โWe as returning citizens weโve been through a lot.โNews 6 was there when Meade legally registered to vote in January of 2019. He said heโs encouraging returning citizens to vote early. He said there will be plenty of masks on hand for returning citizens and their families. With 27 days left until the general election, weโre asking state election leaders if returning citizens who are registered can still pay their fines and vote by election day.
Organization paying millions for returning citizens to vote in general election
ORLANDO, Fla. โ As the deadline arrives to register to vote in Florida, an organization is working to help make sure more returning citizens get the chance to vote next month in the general election. The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition has been working to pay off fines and fees for the 1.4 million returning citizens who owe fines and fees before they can vote. So far, officials with the FRRC said theyโve paid $25 million in fees and fines for returning citizens statewide. They wrote a check Monday for $1.5 million to pay off past fines for 1,500 returning citizens who qualify in Orange County. For people like Wayne Smith, Monday, the deadline to register, was crunch time to try and vote next month in the general election.
Felons can call hotline for help regaining voting rights
Celebrities like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Ariana Grande have donated to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalitionโs Fines and Fees Fund, according to Executive Director Desmond Meade. He also said the need is there as returning citizens call their hotline for help to be able to vote in the 2020 General Election. โOverall, there are 1.4 million returning citizens that benefit from Amendment 4,โ Meade said. Meade said the fines and fees owed vary depending on the case. Meade said it can be difficult for returning citizens to figure out what is owed, especially if they owe fines and fees in more than one county.
โItโs voter suppression:โ Ex-felon reacts to court ruling
That ruling reverses a lower court judgeโs decision that gave Florida felons the right to vote regardless of outstanding financial obligations. Members of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition said that could have a huge impact on the upcoming election. The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition is an organization that helps people with convictions transition back into society. The organization started a fund to help ex-felons pay their court fees so they can register to vote. Johnson said FRRC has already raised and help pay out more than $3 million in fines to help ex-felons in Florida.
โWeโre throttling for change:โ Motorcycle ride calls for racial justice
The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and Central Florida Motorcycle Council held the "Ride for Racial Justice." Itโs full-throttle ahead for social reform,โ Toni Washington with the Central Florida Motorcycle Council said. Full Screen 1 / 7 Motorcycle ride calls for racial justiceLady V drove up from Ft. Myers and said it was important for her to participate in the ride. In the wake of the officer-involved death of George Floyd, the riders are calling for change to the criminal justice system. โWeโre throttling for reform, weโre throttling for change, weโre throttling for injustice and we will be throttling throughout the state of Florida and wherever else we can get to,โ Washington said.