A Federal Appeals Court ruled, on Friday Sept. 11th, that Florida can Require Felons to Pay All Fines, Restitution, and Legal Fees they face before they can Regain their Right-to-Vote, Reversing a Lower Court Ruling that Held the Measure Unconstitutional. The Ruling, by the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, could Influence the Election Outcome in November 2020.
The Dispute, which could ultimately head to U.S. Supreme Court, Centers on whether the Law is a way around a Voter-Approved 2018 Measure that aimed to End the State's Lifetime Prohibition on Voting by Ex-Felons.
The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature Passed the Payment Law in 2019.
Voting and Civil Rights Groups Sued the State's Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis, and State Election Officials over that Requirement.
U.S. District Court Judge, Robert Hinkle, in May struck Down Most of the law as Unconstitutional, describing it as a "Pay to Vote" Scheme.
The Appeals Court, Dominated by Judges appointed by Trump, Delayed the Decision while it considered on Appeal.
On Friday, a Majority of the 11-Judge Panel found the Defendants in the Case Failed to Prove the Measure Violated the Constitution, noting the Country has a Long History of Placing Restrictions on Voting.
The Decision was met with Frustration by Voting Rights Groups. "Florida’s voters spoke loud and clear when nearly two-thirds of them supported rights restoration at the ballot box in 2018," said Paul Smith, Vice President at Campaign Legal Center. "Nobody should ever be denied their constitutional rights because they can’t afford to pay fines and fees."
Another Problem with the Law, Florida is having Problems with Calculating the Amount each Felon has to pay before they can Re-Register to Vote.
A New Process should have, the Felon upon release, received the Court Bill showing the Amount they Owe. Then when the go to Vote they Pay the Amount on the Bill.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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