Florida Supreme Court rules convicted felons must pay fees before voting

[NOTE: Persons required to register still can not get their voting rights back]

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.


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37 thoughts on “Florida Supreme Court rules convicted felons must pay fees before voting

  • August 29, 2020

    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.

    Reply
  • August 1, 2020

    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.

    Reply
      • August 1, 2020

        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.

        Reply
  • January 21, 2020

    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!

    Reply
  • January 20, 2020

    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.

    Reply

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