1 Million Floridians Convicted Of Felonies Now Have Right To Vote
FORT MYERS, FL — It’s a red letter day for more than a million Floridians.
Following approval of Amendment 4 by a 64 percent majority of Florida voters during midterm elections, Floridians convicted of felonies now have the right to vote.
The new state law takes effect Tuesday, Jan. 8, restoring voting rights to an estimated 1.4 million people who fulfilled their sentences following a felony conviction.
“I’ll be shedding a lot of tears and hugging friends and family,” said Neil Volz of Fort Myers during a press conference Monday organized by the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.
Volz was imprisoned for a white-collar fraud charge in another state. After serving his time, he moved to Florida to start a new life. However, he feels a fresh starts eludes him without the right to vote.
“Voting is such a sacred, sacred thing – to me, to the community, to our country,” said Volz. “I really can’t comprehend what’s it’s going to be like to get my voice back — to know that my voice counts and I can be a full citizen again.”
Volz said he and fellow felons have paid their debt to society and now they owe a debt of gratitude to the people of Florida for recognizing that.
The new law restores voting rights to those with felony convictions who have completed all terms of their sentences, including parole and probation. The exception are those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense. Completion of a sentence includes any period of incarceration, probation, parole and financial obligations imposed as part of a person’s sentence.
To mark the day, the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition launched a “Let My People Vote” campaign to encourage the newly qualified to register to vote.
Accompanied by his wife, Pamela Newton-Volz, Volz headed to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office bright and early Tuesday morning to register. He was joined by dozens of other “returning citizens.”
“Today…no words,” Volz wrote on his Facebook page. “Grateful to God and everyone who has fought to protect our ability to vote.”
Although Volz preferred to register in person, others are able to register online if they wish.
Before Amendment 4 was passed, Florida was one of four states that permanently barred those with felony convictions from voting.
The 150-year-old law meant that 7 percent of the state’s adult population could not vote in current elections.
The grassroots FRRC spearheaded Amendment 4. FRRC President Demond Meade said the law not only disenfranchised people who have paid their debt to society but was tantamount to discrimination.
The national Brennan Center for Justice agreed and helped the FRRC draft the amendment.
“This citizen-driven effort succeeded in changing a law that disenfranchised more residents than any other state,” said Myrna Pérez, deputy director of the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program. “Today, voters welcomed 1.4 million fellow Floridians back to full citizenship and made democracy more inclusive. Indeed, evidence from Florida suggests that voting makes criminal behavior less likely.”
Nevertheless, the amendment had its share of detractors including Gov. Ron DeSantis who assumed his new duties on the same day convicted felons regained their right to vote.
Following his election in November, DeSantis said he wanted to delay restoring voting rights until the Legislature has a chance to review and approve the “implementing language,” and he has signed the new law. That would take place in March.
Perez, however, said the governor and state Legislature doesn’t have the authority to thwart the will of the people. Amendment 4 goes into effect once it becomes part of the state’s constitution on Jan 8 — with or without the governor’s blessing.
The Florida Secretary of State’s office confirmed that Amendment 4 is the law as of today.
“It is time for Florida to leave its shameful past behind, and recognize that the full promise of American democracy can only be realized with the full participation of all citizens, across all communities,” she said.
Video via FRRC
Image via Neil Volz
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Neil Volz and his wife, Pamela, headed to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office bright and early so he could register to vote.
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