Can you vote in the state of Florida if you have a felony? On 8, January 2019, Florida\u2019s Amendment 4<\/em> became official. This constitutional amendment restored the voting rights of over a million \u2014 disenfranchised \u2014 felons. Ever since the republican-controlled Florida State has tried to create stumbling blocks against the re-enfranchisement of these former convicts.<\/p>\n\n\n

Can a Felon Vote in Florida in [year]?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Earlier in the year (2019), the Governor of Florida, \u00ad\u2014 Ron DeSantis \u00ad\u2014 signed a bill restricting the complete restoration of the rights to felons with no pending court fees or fines. This executive move \u2014 which many likened to a poll tax<\/a> \u2014 has sparked mixed reactions across the state. Critics say the law is unfair to the poor class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The courts \u2014 on their part \u2014 believe they will be unable to retrieve a chunk of the money felons owe them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are Highlights of the New Legislation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

What Does the New Amendment 4 Cover?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

\n

<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Amendment 4 aims at restoring the voting rights of people formerly convicted of a felony<\/a> \u2014 except cases of sexual\u2014 and murder\u2014related offenses, after completion of their sentences (whether parole, prison, or probation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of 2018, people who had felony convictions on their records automatically lost their voting rights in Florida, except on rare individual occasions \u2014 where a state board restored such rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the tenure of Charlie Crist, erstwhile governor of Florida, felons\u2019 rights were automatically restored by the Executive Clemency Board. The restoration typically comes after the completion of their court sentences, payment of restitution, and without any standing criminal charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, the present governor \u2014 Ron DeSantis \u00ad\u2014 eradicated such reforms introduced by his predecessor. In the present dispensation, felons are required to wait for, at least, 5 to 7 years \u2014 it varies between offenses \u2014 after serving their sentences before they can send a request to the board for consideration of restoration of right-to-vote \u2014 and related civil rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other states policies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During elections, Florida is one among three other states \u2014 Virginia, Kentucky, and Iowa \u2014 that deny felons of the right to vote. Except on rare occasions where a state board restores their voting rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But with Amendment 4 approval, Florida currently sits among other nine states where felons\u2019 right to vote is restored after serving their sentences \u2014 whether probation, parole, or prison time.<\/p>\n\n\n

What crime does Amendment 4 Cover? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

According to the new bill, here are some felonies that do not come under the provisions of Amendment 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Murder-related Crimes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First and second-degree murder<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support for terrorism and terrorist organization where their violations caused serious bodily injury \u2013 or death<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sexually related offenses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
• Felonies that compel one to become a registered sexual offender<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Mutilation of female genitals<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Incest<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Sexual cyber-harassment<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Sexual excesses by a supposed psychotherapist<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Distribution, sale of harmful materials to minors<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Sexual encounters of staff of detention or correctional facility with an inmate.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Abuse of dead bodies<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Sexual acts, lewd conduct, or romantic relationship of a school authority with a student<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Prostituting even as an HIV positive<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n

  Completing Terms Of Sentence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

  After release from probation or incarceration, charging documents show a list of the defendant\u2019s remaining terms \u2014 restitution, court fines, and\/or fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  This is, however, more difficult for those whose crimes are way in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  So, simply completing probation does not clear you. The court may decide to round up your probation with \u201cunsuccessful termination.\u201d This connotes that the individual still has some unfulfilled requirements \u2014 even when the state has ended its supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  In such cases, it is most likely that felons have satisfied all their sentences \u2014 except payment of fees and fines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  It is important to first contact your county court online to confirm your case file. To find yours, enter your full name, and your case number will show up. See links for Pasco<\/a>, Pinellas<\/a>, Hernando<\/a>, and Hillsborough<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Recent cases ought to be online. However, cases above 20 years may require that you visit the courthouse and request to see your file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Regardless of the number of times you\u2019ve appeared in court, only felony convictions affect your voting rights in Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  The financial\u201d section of your case file online displays the unpaid fines and fees payable on the particular case. You are free, only when the amount shows $0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  This amount used to compensate the crime victims \u2014 restitution \u2014 can be somewhat confusing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Sometimes, restitution is made through the court \u2014 on the judge\u2019s order.  In other cases, the victim receives restitution directly from the accused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  A snag, however, is when one who ought to receive the restitution dies before payment of restitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  That said, offenders should check with the court clerk \u2014 that\u2019s the \u2018bread and butter of their task. They can check up how much should be restituted and draw up a workable payment scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n

  What Happens where felons cannot afford the payment? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

  Amendment 4 legislation gives judges the right to waive fees, restitution, and fines \u2014 or convert them to hours of community service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  The county courts allow offenders to file an application to come before the judge for reconsideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  The judge then decides whether to entirely scrap the monetary terms or, in its place, administer community service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Although not stone-written, an unpaid $12 fine is usually converted to an hour of community service.<\/p>\n\n\n

  What if Ineligible Felons Register to Vote?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

  \n

  <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

  During voting registration, you will be made to sign an affirmation that you have no felony convictions or that you have regained voting rights \u2014 after satisfying necessary legal requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  According to some state laws, entering wrong information during registration is a third-degree felony. Although it is hardly ever enforced, it is enforceable. This felony offense is almost always overlooked because many people are unsure of the correct status and details of their voting rights. So, entering wrong info in the voter\u2019s form may not seem a good enough reason to charge a person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Read also: California Felons Voting Rights<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Can you vote in the state of Florida if you have a felony? On 8, January 2019, Florida\u2019s Amendment 4 became official. This constitutional amendment restored the voting rights of over a million \u2014 disenfranchised \u2014 felons. Ever since the republican-controlled Florida State has tried to create stumbling blocks against the re-enfranchisement of these former … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":867,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n