Gainesville Attorneys and Law Students Take a Stand Against Felon Disenfranchisement
As members of the Gainesville community, the employees at Lauren Richardson Law, PLLC believe it is important to highlight efforts made by attorneys and UF Levin College of Law students in the local community.
Members of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association (EJCBA) and local students have banded together to make a statement about felon restoration of voting rights. Both the Alachua County Library District and the EJCBA have hosted “Law in the Library: Restoration of Civil Rights Workshops” to attract focus to this issue. Three to six volunteers attend each workshop. This local movement is made up of around 45 volunteers that sit down one-on-one with felons to try to formulate a solution and create a plan to restore felon voting rights.
HOW TO VOTE ON FLORIDA FELON VOTING RIGHTS
The Voting Restoration Amendment (Amendment Four on the ballot) aims to restore the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation.
The amendment would not apply to those convicted of murder or sexual offenses, who would continue to be permanently barred from voting unless the Governor and Cabinet vote to restore their voting rights on a case by case basis.
Sixty percent of Florida voters would need to vote yes on the amendment to make it law.
Voter registration date for general election: Oct. 9.
General election date: Nov. 6.
While this topic may be seen as controversial, it is great to see established attorneys and young law students banding together to stand against an injustice. In this case, felon voting rights in Florida. Even when a felon has completed the terms of his/her sentence, he/she still cannot vote for the rest of his/her lifetime in the state of Florida.The “Law in the Library: Restoration of Civil Rights Workshops” aims to educate others about the issue and attract a larger conversation.
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