To: The Florida State House, The Florida State Senate, and Governor Ron DeSantis
Restoration of ex-felons' voting rights in Florida
Automatically restore ex-felons' voting rights in Florida upon completion of sentences, parole, probation, and after any court ordered restorations are made.
Why is this important?
Florida is one of 4 states that does not restore voting rights to felons who have served their sentences, completed parole or probation, or any combination of these. Instead, Florida has a complicated, lengthy and costly petition process to get rights restored. Last year only 78 successfully made it through the process, and most don't even try.
Year after year in voter registration drives, I am saddened to see the shame and bitterness on so many faces, often because of a mistake made in their youth, when they say they will never be allowed to vote. How can we expect responsible civic participation from all these people, when they are told they will be disenfranchised for life? We all lose.
Year after year in voter registration drives, I am saddened to see the shame and bitterness on so many faces, often because of a mistake made in their youth, when they say they will never be allowed to vote. How can we expect responsible civic participation from all these people, when they are told they will be disenfranchised for life? We all lose.