Court: Florida can't bar felons from vote over fines, fees

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Updated 3:29 pm CST, Wednesday, February 19, 2020

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida cannot, for now, bar felons who served their time from registering to vote simply because they have failed to pay all fines and fees stemming from their cases, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Tallahassee federal judge's preliminary injunction that a state law implementing Amendment 4 amounted to an unfair poll tax that would disenfranchise many of the released felons.

“We disagree with the ruling," said Helen Ferre, chief spokeswoman for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. She said the state would immediately ask the entire 11th Circuit to reconsider.

The case is one of several now before judges amid high-stakes legal skirmishes over Florida elections, which have drawn national scrutiny because of the state's perennial status as a political battleground and the razor-thin margins deciding some high-profile contests.


Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Court-Florida-can-t-bar-felons-from-vote-over-15067581.php

[Grins]

1. It's only February...

Plenty of time for Florida’s GOP to rat-fuck it again before the election.

And you know they will...!

[csziggy]

2. They've already delayed enough to keep them from voting in the primaries

Deadline to Register (Book Closing)

Eligible individuals can register to vote at any time. The deadline to register in order to participate in an upcoming election is 29 days before the election. The registration deadlines for 2020 are:

Presidential Preference Primary Election: February 18*
Primary Election: July 20
General Election: October 5

*Due to federal holiday, the deadline moved from Monday, February 17 to Tuesday, February 18.
https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/election-dates/

[Massacure]

5. Not true

A federal judge in Tallahassee previously issued an injunction preventing Florida from requiring the payments of fines and restitution in order to vote. Florida asked the Third Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn that injunctions, and today a panel of three judges told Florida "No." Florida can appeal again to the entire Third Circuit if they want, which it sounds like they will.

[JohnnyRingo]

3. Nice try though.

After lawmakers slipped through a resolution allowing paroled felons to vote, republicans sprung into action out fear for their jobs. Though I'm sure they'll try another avenue, it appears for now they plan to deny the court's decision. "I'm sorry, we didn't hear you. Did you say they can't vote?"

[macone]

4. Can ex-convicts register to vote in Florida or not?

It seems to me if the Federal Court of Appeals rules requiring ex-convicts to pay all fines and fees is unconstitutional, then ex-convicts can register to vote right now.

Does anyone know for sure?

[lark]

6. Yes, felons are registering to vote.

My son doesn't have the fees/fines issues and has been registered since Oct. and has his card. He is a committed Democrat and so excited to get to vote again and have a say in the primary. We will be discussing last nights' debate later this morning,