Comments on: Appeals Court: Lifetime Ban on Felons’ Voting Rights is Cruel and Unusual Punishment

By: Dustn

Dustn — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 17:35:52 +0000

I thin it’s pretty obvious why Florida specifically excludes those convicted for sex crime from eligibility to vote – job security. Over 40k potential voters on the sex offender registry (not all 80k Florida registrants, as an awful lot of them are either dead or out of state) along with their friends and family members is a pretty significant voting block who will remember who the hardcore registry nazis in the legislature are, particularly since many of them campaign on the restrictions and obligations they proposed.

By: TS

TS — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 15:31:31 +0000

In reply to JC. Other than the fact that stripping people of their right to vote precedes the Civil War as punishment in this country, therefore, precedent by history, have to wonder what their argument for it would be.

By: Bwj

Bwj — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 19:04:43 +0000

In reply to Jack Sherburg. That's a frightening thought. Kind of like the people in the Villages that committed fraud by voting twice, yet got off with community service.

By: RM

RM — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:40:34 +0000

In reply to Joseph Pratt. Actually, it's all felony sex offenses. My felony sex offense involved consensual sexual activity with a 16 or 17-year-old (F.S. 794.051(1), a level 6 offense under the Florida Criminal Punishment Code) and I am banned from voting for life. Someone who was released from prison for armed kidnapping or home invasion robbery or whatever other violent crime you can think of other than murder is allowed to vote, but not me.

By: Pariah.001

Pariah.001 — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 14:38:13 +0000

In reply to Joseph Pratt. You will be able to vacation on the planet Mars beofre a Florda Governor grants you clemency. I can assure you of that.

By: JC

JC — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 13:42:24 +0000

Unfortunately this was decided by just 2 judges both appointed by democratic presidents. The larger, conservative 5th circuit will likely overrule this. But you never know.

By: Jack Sherburg

Jack Sherburg — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 10:35:03 +0000

Heck you could commit voter fraud and get your voting rights back.

By: Roger L

Roger L — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 08:51:50 +0000

The legislatures can first look at data to determine how former offenders would likely vote. Since the current law-makers in Florida have really stuck it to those on the registry, these law-maker know those on the registry will vote against them so they choose to not let them vote. People like Ron Book who enjoy the privilege of care-free drunk driving, will make sure that he and his fellow drunk drivers always have the right to vote knowing that college kids who enjoy drinking and driving will move to Florida and vote for those law-makers who are soft on drunk driving and hard on RSOs. Ron Book will not serve jail time, and adjudication will be withheld, meaning he won’t have a criminal record. He had initially been charged with DUI and DUI with property damage.

By: JJJJ

JJJJ — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 02:45:00 +0000

“serves no protective function to society” and is thus “a cruel and unusual punishment.”

Why “sex offenders” and “murderers”?

Why not “armed robbers” and “arsonists”?

Or “grifting” and “grand theft”?

What makes one class of ex-criminal more (or less) qualified to vote than another?

Indeed, what useful function to society has been achieved by denying citizens-forced-to-register from voting?

Isn’t amendment 4 further codification of a regime of government-fostered hatred??

By: Joseph Pratt

Joseph Pratt — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 23:31:56 +0000

Currently the State of Florida bars those convicted of homicide and sexual assault/sexual battery from voting unless you apply to the Clemency Board for the Restoration of Voting Rights.