Judge hits Florida law limiting felon vote in limited ruling

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A federal judge has blocked a Florida law that puts restrictions on ex-felons seeking to have their voting rights restored — but the ruling only applies to the 17 people who challenged the law

U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle said there are sharp questions about whether or not the new law is unconstitutional, but said some questions will be resolved by the Florida Supreme Court or in a future federal trial.

Voters last November passed Amendment 4, which restored voting rights to certain felons who had completed their sentences. Supporters anticipated that the measure would lead to 1.4 million former prisoners being added to the rolls in a battleground state where elections are typically decided on razor-thin margins.this year that requires offenders to pay restitution owed to victims, as well as fees or fines imposed by the court, in order to be eligible to vote.

Hinkle, however, did assert that the state can't deny someone’s right to vote if they cannot afford to pay the fines, fees and restitution. A study presented by groups suing the state estimated that as many as 80 percent of felons eligible to vote under Amendment 4 still owed money. The judge said that does not mean that those who sued Florida are automatically entitled to vote, but that the state must establish a process that allows people to register and vote if it can be verified that people are “genuinely unable” to pay their outstanding financial obligation.

 

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“...the writing is on the wall for the Florida Legislature to correct the administrative chaos it created.” Get to work, Tally!

Restitution of victims and state are part of punishment. Did he classify it a tax like SCOTUS? Inability to pay is unfortunate. That would imply further crimes and inability to vote.

Those are the 17 with 22 inch biceps

Every killer should have a vote according to Washington Liberals

We have had a process for felons to go thru to get back their voting rights for decades... nothing new here.

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