DeSantis Digs In His Heels On Felons' Voting Rights

From the Florida Phoenix: By Laura Cassels - May 26, 2020

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday his administration will continue to fight to block full implementation of Constitutional Amendment 4, which would restore felons’ voting rights in Florida.

DeSantis told reporters his administration will appeal a court order issued Sunday, with the legal battle headed back to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“I think that there’s obviously good grounds,” he said. “No other court in the country has held this.”

Sunday, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that the DeSantis administration is wrong in trying to block the constitutional amendment on grounds that felons must first pay off their debts, even if they have no ability to pay.

In a scathing 125-page order, Hinkle called such a requirement an unconstitutional poll tax that prevents poor people from voting.

DeSantis discussed the issue while in Miami Tuesday to announce his appointment of two justices to the Florida Supreme Court. The Republican governor described their high regard for the Constitution and the rule of law.

DeSantis reiterated his opposition to the constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2018 that would allow eligible felons to votes, regardless whether they still owe money to the court or to victims.

The Republican-controlled Legislature added a caveat by law in 2019 that a felon who had completed his or her sentence must pay all crime-related financial obligations before being allowed to vote, and state lawyers are defending that position.

Election analysts have widely predicted that restoring voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences would likely benefit Democratic candidates more than Republicans and that Republicans want to avoid that outcome as the presidential election approaches in this swing state.

This story was originally published by the Florida Phoenix. For more stories from the Florida Phoenix, visit FloridaPhoenix.com.