Florida’s Supreme Court ruled Thursday that convicted felons must pay all fees related to their sentences before voting. The court decided in its ruling that “all terms of sentence” includes not only terms of a person’s imprisonment and supervision, but also fines and other obligations imposed as part of a punishment.
Two-thirds of those whose voting rights would have been restored, will not be able to vote until they pay their fees. In many cases, that will mean never.
According to the Burlington Free Press (Aug 24, 2020) in “What does an election look like inside a prison?”, Vermont and Maine are the only two states in the country who allow currently-incarcerated felons to vote in an election. District of Columbia also restored their rights this past July.
The only exclusion mentioned in the article is for Vermont where the only exception is for those charged with a crime related to election fraud.
It was mentioned, though, that it is not always an easy process for the inmates to be able to vote.
It would be good if we could get a FAC member aligned with Desmond Meade and involved with the anti-corruption act and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. It doesn’t take a ‘rocket scientist’ to figure out that when a politician or judge can make a hefty profit with harsh, nonsensical laws, it’s going to happen. They are not going to do anything that might jeopardize their position…such as restore voting rights.
Remember this: https://floridaactioncommittee.org/desmond-meade-the-hypocrisy-behind-amendment-4/
Thanks for the reminder. I guess I have too ‘many irons in the fire’. It would be good, however, to have FAC members embedded in some of these organizations that are truly working to restore citizen rights. FAC may already have such embedded members. I just believe that it is important to get organizations that do not ‘sing from the same song book as FAC members do’ to get to know who registered citizens really are. Education and face-to-face relationships are important. The public needs to know that we do not wear trench coats and hang around school yards. I don’t even own a trench coat. When I first moved into my neighborhood most neighbors avoided me. Today they all know my background…the good, the bad , and the ugly. I get along fine with all of them. I have been on the HOA board, was a church trustee for years, and have headed small group studies in my home and at church. If someone wants to know something about my past I freely discuss it. Those requests are rare nowadays. The more FAC members can get public exposure the better. Desmond Meade is in a struggle for his restoration and maybe once he feels comfortable in that struggle he may be willing to open some doors for the registered citizen struggle. We will see. Time will tell. Right now we have the ‘Battle of Brevard’ to occupy us…or at least some of us.
This article is alarming to me. How do we stop what is happening in this country? How do we educate the public on what is happening? Can we be included in the American Anti-Corruption Act? Will Desmond Meade come back for us?
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/newsweek/20200731/281659667360902
Good Day….
From a Constitutional Perspective, would this not be an Act of Bill of Attainder and a violation of the Commerce Clause?..One would think YES!
About 4 months after my sentencing, the judge added a couple thousand more on my case. I got a letter saying they forgot to add these to my total reparations. It was to pay for things like the women’s shelter and other things not related to me or my case what so ever.
Three of the sitting judges were appointed by Christ: Canady, Polston, and LaBarga, one by Snott: Lawson, and one by DeSatanist: Muniz.
DeSatanis’s other two appointees, serving less than one year, Lagoa and Luck, already left for greener pastures. So there are two vacancies which will again be appointed by DeSatanist.
https://www.floridasupremecourt.org/Justices
Thanks JZ…
I was missing the ‘Other Two’….yes Satan has returned to the Governor-Hood!…
thanks again for the Missing Two Pieces of the Legal Puzzle!!!
And thank you, TheTruthHurts. My commentaries come from the heart and reflect what I believe in my heart to be true. It bothers me that we have such unforgiveness within our legislative ranks…the place where it is most needed. Greed lies in the hearts of those who are in the position to take advantage of others. One consolation…one day they will all be held accountable and the unforgiveness they have shown others will be heaped upon their continence. My father was a chief petty officer. I have never seen such pride in one person as I saw in him the day I graduated from the Naval Academy.
It would be interesting to find out with what Political Party each Justice is affiliated…..There is not much info on this….
And As someone has said numerous times……
“SORNA changed a Legal System that WAS based on “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” and transformed it into a system of “Reasonable Suspicion.” ANY INDIVIDUAL IS CAPABLE OF HARMING SOMEONE ELSE AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE. NO Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Politician, Social Worker, Judge, Justice Official or Corrupt Law Enforcement Officer can predict the future!”
Felons who return to society should not be able to vote if they don’t pay their fines because they always have the means to pay the fines. As soon as a felon gets off at his bus stop from prison, he is greeted by teams of employment recruiters competing for the privilege to place him in one of many high paying jobs. In fact, if he is lucky enough to be black, companies will offer him premium pay, just to meet the quotas. Any felon not working is just lazy since it is so easy for felons to find work.
What? I am wrong on this? Maybe first restricting RSO, then all felons is a way to take some bite out of the civil rights movement. Back in the 1960s “Poll Taxes” were allowed so that poor folks of which most of the black population were included, could not vote since they could not afford the tax. Then those “Do-Gooders” came along and decided blacks and the poor whites SHOULD be able to vote and the 24th amendment was ratified in 1964. “Let’s just call a ‘tax’ a ‘fee’ and the blacks and poor whites won’t know the difference,” says lawmakers in 2020. “Since felons are predominantly black, and because felons have trouble making money to pay the big fines assessed, this way we can keep this pool of people from disturbing our plan to keep them poor forever. Since felons can’t vote, who is going to object if the cost of prison phone calls goes way up so that families of prisoners can buy “perks” for officers, like free I-phones to tip the scale for a less competitive phone contract! Here is an article on how Florida’s prison phone contract was rigged at the expense of prisoner’s families: https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2019/feb/01/prison-phones-securus-lawsuit/
U.S. Constitution – Amendment 24
Amendment 24 – Poll Tax Barred
1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Notes for this amendment:
Proposed 8/27/1962
Ratified 1/23/1964
That’s what this court had to decide— whether outstanding fines and fees represented a poll tax.
Roger, when I first started to read your commentary I thought you had ‘gone off the deep end’. Thank God you hadn’t. Have you got feeling back in your ‘tongue and cheek’ yet? Good commentary and evaluation. For politicians to maintain control they must maintain an underclass that they believe to be ignorant…stupid…and incapable of action. And they can’t let them vote or they would find out otherwise. Keep up you comments. I enjoy reading them. We need to get more of our thoughts out into the public.
Anybody surprised by this decision? Voter suppression is alive and well in Floriduh in 2020.
This is a check in the win column for the conservative Republican faction of the Florida House. They were able to find a legal loophole to continue to deny the power of the ballot box to a large group of Florida voters. I believe that their actions are motivated out of a fear of a new large voting block in Florida that’s not predominantly older, affluent, and conservative Republican. Restoring full voting rights to a significant block of citizens that did not have them before will bring more than just those voters to the polls. They will bring friends and family that possibly didn’t vote before but now see how critical their voices are and they want them heard. Nothing would scare the conservative right Republicans more.
What Bs… all they have to do is pay what they own and they can vote. Yep sounds like something a Democratic would say. The criminal is the real victim here and everything should be free. Why shouldn’t they have to finish paying their debt to society? They didn’t care about voting when they broke the law. I’m a criminal and should be on your side but am not. We are the ones who created victims and are not victims ourselves. I’ve been dealing with the registry since it went into law in Florida and hate the things I’ve had to endure. But the sad truth is I wouldn’t have to deal with one day of it if I didn’t break the law. Have enough fortitude to be honest with yourself. So tell me again how the hell are we the victims. What’s next your gonna want soda straws outlawed? The truth will set you free Democrat!
Did you kidnap, rape and murder a child? If the answer is “no” and all you did was break a law regarding age of consent laws (even tho teens DO consent as did I when I was a teen with an older woman) or looked at an illegal image or any other non-life threatening “crime”, then you should not have to endure jack shit what the registry scheme was originally intended for. If you don’t have a Jason Wetterling or Megan Kanka case, you should have just been able to serve your punishment and move on. Period. But even streaking or skinny dipping can land a person on the registry. Oh my gosh! What a threat to public safety those issues are, eh?
I’m only on your side against Democrats in your argument. But both political sides wouldn’t dare try to abolish something they’ve already brainwashed the general public into relying on.
Keep in mind, the fines may be way to high to pay for years. Did your school not require you to read, “To Kill a Mockingbird?” Were you absent the day the teacher showed the movie? Some folks actually DID NOT commit a crime. There are over 3000 counties in the US. What if you happened to live in the county with one of the highest conviction rates that also has the absolute highest money payouts for wrongful convictions? You could be innocent, can prove it, but can’t get a fair trial! You may ask for a speedy trial guaranteed by the US Constitution. The prosecutor can even say to the judge that there is not enough evidence to convict you. But after sitting in jail for years (awaiting your ‘speedy trial’) it may be tempting to take a guilty plea and go home rather than wait another year to go to court in hopes that somehow, you can get to court once you are out of jail. So some people committed no crime and are frustrated they can’t vote to solve the problems!
In the US one can be convicted of a crime with no evidence and no victim. Public opinion, myth, and paranoia are enough for a conviction.
What is hilarious, I just got paperwork yesterday from my county asking why I had not signed up for voter registration and even included a voter application with my name and address on it. Unreal
A small not on paperwork states ” Even though we sent you this, it is your responsibility to determine if you are eligible to vote. If you have any questions, contact the supervisor of elections.”
Funny too…4 days after I took a plea (dumb-ass thing I did-should have known better), I received a letter from the Head of Election of Hillsborough County, That I was removed from the Election Process for Life!…Yes it said Life….I still have the letter…It was sent Registered Mail to my home address….I no longer reside in the USA per se-thank goodness!
Make it a Great Day!
Not knowing what was going on in the ‘background’, I too received a letter asking me to apply to become a voter. I thought it was very strange but I went ahead and filled it out and submitted it. Two weeks later I was released from probation eleven years early. Later on I got a response to my application saying I was not eligible to vote. Go figure! As a side light, I committed my offense in Virginia but moved to Florida because of my father’s bad health and my mother needed help. I am no longer on the registry in Virginia and had I stayed there I could now vote. Florida is having a difficult time emerging from the ‘dark ages’.
perhaps they can file bankruptcy due to these costs associated with voting / sentence
Voting changes NOTHING. Both parties are complicit in this registry boondoggle, so even IF you were allowed to, your vote wouldn’t matter. Voting gives people this false sense of pride that somehow their values and opinions matter.
Then you get that silly “I voted” sticker.
Sit down. You’re just a sheep like the rest. The outcome has already been predetermined with the status quo sold to the highest bidder.
Did anyone really think this was going to be a slam dunk?? Make sure you check to see who the politicians are that are taking credit for doing such a good deed in letting felons get their voting rights back. When they come up for re-election, maybe they need to find a different job.
It’s not healthy to hate the behavior of politicians the way I do..
LoL I can agree. I hate them too because high pay cry babies kissing butt lying to people like we are buying a car and they they the salesperson. Screwed with pants on and they not on a registry hmmm but Trump I go for . . . A businessman and it’s funny how he tells them all about their bullshit. So 4-8-12 more years of him we get shit done 👍 lol ref. to FDR. .
So then, all those teenagers convicted of producing and distributing CP from “sexting” may as well not think much of the idea of turning 18. How dare they threaten the safety of the public with their nude pics.
That couple that got caught screwing in the back seat of a car (like many of us did in back in the day) are a serious risk to the safety of the poor, helpless public.
But go rob a bank at gun point and eventually you’ll be able to vote again. EXCELLENT!!!!
https://reason.com/2020/01/18/sex-offender-laws-are-broken-these-women-are-working-to-fix-them/
Unrelated to this topic but is an important read. God bless these women and FAC and everyone in the fight.
The State of Florida is determined to maintain their second class citizens as much as possible.
This is why we need to support Bernie Sanders for president. His policy position is that the right to vote should not be abridged. The thing is this: if you are paying taxes, not having the natural right to vote is “taxation without representation.” This one of the very fundamental principles in the establishment of our country. Aside from voting fraud crimes, the denial of right to vote has absolutely no nexus with any convicted wrongdoing.
Frankly, I think this is a good ruling. Let me explain why based on my own experience. Upon my conviction, which I’m still fighting, I was hit with some fines and imprisonment. I paid my fines, but was placed on lifetime supervision after incarceration upon early release for being a model inmate. So, I think the drug dealers and white collar criminals should have to pay their entire debt if I have to pay mine for life…al because I chose to fight.
I blame A4 drafters for using weasely language to make it popular. The Florida Rights Restoration Commission set a trap for themselves and should be embarrassed.
I agree. They were naive to believe that the Floriduh abusers of power, aka legislators, would do the right thing.
First off, I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I have been a Republican all my life, what with the Republicans in Florida doing all they can to keep taxpaying ex-felons from voting. Punishment for offenses is usually consisting of two parts…physical and fiscal. Once the physical part is over, the offender can hopefully find employment and get on with providing for life’s necessities and taking care of the fiscal obligations. This is not an easy obstacle to overcome and takes time…all along the ex-offender is paying taxes. The politicians who would try to keep this ex-offender from voting have no problem spending the ex-offenders tax payments. The situation brings to mind “No taxation without representation”. No vote, no representation. But then when have most of today’s politicians let the nation’s founding principles get in the way of their efforts to try to impress the voting public? I suspect most legislators are not even aware of this principle. I truly hope that one day my reason for embarrassment will be a thing of the past as my guiding principles are conservative in nature.
Good Day Captain!
Thank you for your service to Our Country
My father is a retired E-8 USMC!
And Thank you for your commentaries…much appreciated!