Florida has voted to restore voting rights to more than a million ex-felons.
Amendment 4, which restores voting rights to 1.4 million ex-felons as long as they complete their sentences, including probation, parole and paying any restitution. Those convicted of murder or sex crimes are not eligible to have their rights restored.
The amended law now allows them to register to vote again, though the process as of yet hasn’t been entirely fleshed out, according to clemency attorney and felons’ voting rights expert Richard Harrison (click video below):
“I think the registration form is going to have to change,” said Harrison. “It will change from ‘Are you a convicted felon?’ which is all that was required to disenfranchise you before tonight, to ‘Have you been convicted of murder or any sexual felony’.”
Of the more than 6 million ex-felons in the United States, nearly 1/4 of them live in Florida.
The amended law could have an immediate impact in Tampa, where the election for a new mayor will take place in early 2019.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
