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
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
Here are Highlights of the New Legislation<\/strong><\/p>\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
Other states policies<\/strong><\/p>\n\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
Sexually related offenses<\/strong><\/p>\n\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
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
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