Florida election crimes unit sends out last-minute felons-removal list, causes confusion

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Lists containing the names of hundreds of voters have been sent to county elections supervisors around Florida by the new Office of Election Crimes and Security, which is urging they be screened and possibly removed from voter rolls as possible felons.

“Most supervisors I talked to, the vast majority, had never lodged a challenge,” said Earley.

Florida voters in 2018 approved Amendment 4, aimed at restoring voting rights to 1.4 million people barred because of past felony convictions, with the exception of murder or a sexual offense. Just months later, the Republican-controlled Legislature passed a bill that was signed into law by DeSantis to keep hundreds of thousands of felons from becoming eligible to vote until they meet all their past legal financial obligations.

DeSantis has defended the prosecutions of the 20 arrested on voter fraud charges, noting that voters have to check a box on their registration form stating"I affirm that I am not a convicted felon, or if I am, that my right to vote has been restored."All Voting is Local Action Florida’s State Director Brad Ashwell said the move by DeSantis"just days before the election creates confusion and could chill voter participation" and called for an investigation.

"It leaves voters with no time to challenge or address any issues before Election Day and Supervisors with little choice but to go along,” said Sam Koplewicz, Director of Voter Protection for the Florida Democratic Party. “What’s clear is that DeSantis’ election police aren’t protecting Florida elections, they’re trying to undermine them.”

Amy Keith, the organization’s ballot program director, said, “those who voted-by-mail should check with their county Supervisor of Elections office to ensure their ballot was received without issue.”

 

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