Voting is an important constitutional right that we as American citizens have in order to voice our decisions in state and national politics. Florida has one of the strictest laws in the United States that prohibits ‘formerly’ incarcerated individuals from voting. But, these voting rights could be restored to over one million people in November.
As of today, anyone living in the state of Florida who has ever been convicted of a felony is denied their right to vote for the rest of their lives unless approved by the governor after applying for clemency. A petition went across Florida, including on campus at Florida State University, that gathered enough signatures to grant previously convicted felons the access to vote and surface on the state election ballot in November. According to Think Progress, on Tuesday, the petition reached the mandatory 766,200 signatures in allowing the anticipated constitutional amendment to appear on the ballot.
Courtesy: The Nation
If approved by 60 percent of voters, those convicted of felonies who have completed their sentence, parole and probation will have their voting right automatically restored. This right will not be restored, however, to those convicted of murder and felony sexual offenses—these voting rights are prohibited for life.
As of right now, convicted felons living in the state of Florida can apply to have their voting right restored but it will only be granted if the governor and the clemency board agreed to it. According to the Sun-Sentinel, under Governor Rick Scott, 1,534 nonviolent felons had their voting rights reinstated. More than 11,000 others have applied but are still on standby. This was back in 2015. Iowa, Virginia, and Kentucky, along with Florida, are the only other states that require felons to apply to have their voting rights restored. According to Naples Daily News, “from 2011-15, 93 percent of clemency applications in Iowa and 86 percent in Kentucky were approved, according to each state’s governor’s office. During that same time period in Florida, 8 percent, or 2,014, were approved.
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Politically speaking, Florida is a swing state. If this proposed law comes into action, it could make a huge difference when it comes to both state and national politics. According to Orlando Sentinel, it could have a huge impact on elections. Governor Rick Scott was both elected and re-elected with about 65,000 votes while President Donald Trump in Florida won by about 120,000 votes.
Not only could this garner a huge impact on our state and national politics, but this could greatly impact any previously convicted felon’s life. This law could have a personal effect on the millions. The law making it so you are not allowed to vote even after completing your sentence, parole and probation is only effective in four states out of the entire country. Should these people be restored the right to vote, make a change and participate in the political world—a right which they once had? It’ll be up to the people of Florida to decide this November. See you at the poles.