Florida felons who have completed their prison sentences and parole terms are one step closer to regaining their right to vote after a federal court ruled against a state law that would have denied felons the right to vote until they paid off outstanding fines and court fees.
In 2018, Florida voters overwhelmingly supported a referendum enfranchising people convicted of felonies. Less than one year later, the state’s Republican governor signed a law restricting voter registration to those who had paid their court-related debts.
On Sunday, Judge Robert L. Hinkle said that law amounts to a “pay-to-vote” system and is unconstitutional.
Here & Now’s Robin Young speaks with Desmond Meade, president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
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