Voting rights advocates asked the U. S. Supreme Court to lift a stay on a federal judge’s ruling that allowed Florida felons to regain the…
Voting rights advocates asked the U. S. Supreme Court to lift a stay on a federal judge’s ruling that allowed Florida felons to regain the right to vote, regardless of unpaid fines and other financial obligations.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals last week granted a request from Gov. Ron DeSantis to review – and stay – a May ruling by a Tallahassee federal district court judge that was deeply critical of how Florida has set up road blocks for hundreds of thousands of felons seeking access to the ballot box under a voter-approved initiative.
The appellate court has scheduled a hearing on the matter for Aug. 18, the same day as Florida’s primary. The deadline to register for that election is July 20.
Access to Florida’s ballot box has been at the center of myriad legal disputes, underscoring the important role the state plays in determining the balance of power not only in Florida but also in Washington. With razor-thin margins often deciding key races, the outcome of the legal battle could have deep ramifications because the state’s estimated 774,000 disenfranchised felons represent a significant bloc.
