A lot has changed over the past few decades concerning the voting rights of convicted felons. One of the most important places that have changed is the state of Florida in the United States.
With so many elections being closer than anticipated, having a large population of newly minted voters makes a big difference. Any party can win an election by courting the felon population in Florida and seeking to restore voting rights.
So can felons vote in Florida? This is a question that many people ask, but it’s not always easy to answer. The truth is that each state has its own laws regarding voting and who can legally cast their ballot. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about voting in Florida with a felony conviction and the current state of initiatives to restore voting rights.
Are Convicted Felons Allowed to Vote in Florida?
The short answer is yes, depending on the crime, restore voting rights groups have helped overturn this previous rule. However, if you were convicted of murder or a sexual offense, then you are ineligible to vote. If you did commit one of those categories of crimes, you might apply for clemency, and the ability to vote may be restored.
For all other convictions, you will be granted the ability to vote if you meet the following criteria:
- You have completed all prison or jail time.
- You have completed all parole, probation, or other forms of supervision.
- You have paid the total amount owed for all fines, fees, costs, and restitution ordered as part of the conviction.
Suppose you have a felony conviction from another state. In that case, you are only eligible if you would typically be eligible in the state where you were sentenced. That means if you were convicted in Texas but moved to Florida, and Texas doesn’t allow those with prior felony convictions to vote, then you’re out of luck in Florida.
Does it Cost Money to Restore My Right to Vote?
In normal circumstances, registering to vote does not, and should not, cost you money. The exception is if you have any unpaid fines, fees, or restitution left on your sentence. You will not be eligible to vote with any outstanding money owed as part of your conviction.
Some people consider this a “poll tax,” which means a barrier to voting due to a monetary issue. Whether or not you agree, you will have to pay money owed to the state and/or victims until the law changes.
What is a Felony Conviction?
A felony conviction is a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. Crimes resulting in felony convictions include murder, rape, burglary, and robbery. Crimes are classified as either Class A, B, or C felonies in Florida. The most severe crimes are considered Class A felony convictions and they carry the longest sentences and highest fines.
The most common felony convictions in Florida are:
- Aggravated stalking
- Theft of a Vehicle
- Theft of a Firearm
- Trespass While Armed
- Drug Possession
- Fraud
- DUI/DWI
- Violent Crimes
How Do I Register and When Can I Vote?
Once you have made sure you meet the requirements mentioned above concerning your felony conviction, you can register to vote online or in-person at a local DMV, Tax collector’s office, or voter registration agency.
You will need a copy of your driver’s license or Florida-issued ID and the last four digits of your social security number. You can also mail in an application available on the state’s website.
If approved, you will be given a voter registration card containing your information, where you should go to vote, and what party you’re affiliated with. Keep this card on you, and be sure to update it anytime you move to a new location. You also must pay close attention to the registration deadlines to be eligible to vote with a felony conviction.
Will the Florida Department Contact Felons When Eligible to Vote Again?
No. When you’re eligible to vote again, the government won’t contact you directly after your felony conviction. You’ll have to check your eligibility with either the Florida Department of Corrections or the local county clerk’s office. As we mentioned before, felons are allowed to vote once their rights are restored and fines paid.
What is Felony Disenfranchisement?
The ability to vote with a felony conviction is a hot topic politically in the world. It lends to the conversation of “felony disenfranchisement,” or the sense that convicted felons are refused the ability to participate in voting.
Without this right, those with a felony conviction feel they are not part of society. There is an argument that can be made that the longer people feel disassociated with society, the easier it is to commit crimes against that same society. Many organizations are trying to overturn the loss of voting rights across the United States, including The Sentencing Project, the ACLU, and the Fair Vote movement.
If you live in Florida and have a felony conviction on your record, you may still be eligible to vote in upcoming elections. You will have to do a little work to double-check that your crime does not fall into ineligible categories and that you’ve paid all your fines and fees. Once you have done that, you are eligible to receive your voter registration card and vote when the time comes around.
What is the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition?
The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, or FRRC, is a grassroots membership organization dedicated to eliminating voting disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with a felony conviction. The idea behind the group is to help create a society where felons are able to successfully reenter by reducing recidivism and increasing public safety.
This massive organization recognizes the disproportionate felony convictions of people of color and other minorities. They realize that Florida has some confusing laws that often benefit white American Florida voters more than any other, including those with prior felony convictions.
In 2018, they successfully lobbied for the passing of Amendment 4. Unfortunately, some people with a felony conviction are still being arrested, even though they are voting legally through updated voter rolls. When felons cannot afford bail, they risk losing their housing, jobs, and current social support. The FRRC is currently working to end this practice.
What is the Purpose of Florida’s Amendment 4?
This was a new voting act, also known as the Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative, passed in 2018 to update the Constitution of Florida. It passed as a ballot initiative on November 6, 2018. It effectively restored the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they have completed all their sentence requirements, including parole or probation.
The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, ACLU, Christian Coalition of America, and Freedom Partners all came together to support this initiative which passed with 64.55% of the vote. As a result, on January 8, 2019, around 1.4 million former felons became eligible to vote.
You should note this amendment does not apply to those with a felony conviction related to murder or sexual offenses. That is where Florida voters approved voice came to an end about voting and a felony conviction.
What Do Florida Voters Think?
You’ll want to keep in mind that Amendment 4 is a bipartisan issue. According to a recent poll conducted by the University of North Florida and Public Policy Polling, 72% of Floridians support restoring voting rights for felons who have served their time.
But it’s not just voters who support this amendment. Florida Department leaders and elected officials are on board with it too. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo have voiced their approval. The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition certainly had a part in helping change the public perception as well.
Can I Run for Florida Public Office with a Felony Conviction?
In Florida, you can run for office if you have been convicted of a felony. The same goes for misdemeanors.
You can also run for office if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, but not if it was a domestic violence charge. A domestic violence charge is considered an aggravated offense under Florida law. It prevents someone from holding public office until they’ve completed all probation requirements and paid all fines and court costs associated with that charge, which means they’re basically barred from running for office until they’ve done so.
Wrapping it Up
Florida is one of the most contested states in any election in America. It is frequently the topic of debate because of the close margins between Republicans and Democrats in the general election and often has controversial new laws being implemented.
However, Florida is also a leading example of the positive change in a discriminated population when voting rights are restored.
If you would like to learn more about felons and the rights they lose, you should pick up the guidebook Getting Out: success after incarceration.
