Restore felons right to vote!

 
By Rev. Don Tolliver
Special to the Outlook

This November, Floridians will have the opportunity to right a terrible wrong.  Voting “Yes” to Amendment 4 will restore the right to vote to those who have served their time and paid their debt to society. The impact of passing this amendment would impact over 1.6 million Floridians who cannot vote because they are convicted felons. Floridians will have the power and discretion to decide whether most felons will automatically have their voting rights restored.  Florida has had the embarrassing distinction of being one of only three states that permanently bans non-violent, ex-felons from voting.

 
Although a recent court ruling found Florida’s system unconstitutional, we still do not have automatic restoration or an easy path to clemency through the courts. Judge Mark Walker, in his 43 page opinion on the issue, stated “Florida strips away the right to vote to every man and woman who commits a felony.”  We agree and applaud Judge Walker’s ruling, particularly his finding that the Clemency Board’s unfettered discretion violates the First Amendment right of free expression and free association.

 
There are no standards to guide the Clemency Board’s decision making.  Gov. Rick Scott has been very arrogant in his response by saying “We can do whatever we want.” Well, Mr.  Governor, “We (the voters) can vote the way we want!”  The current voter restoration scheme is arbitrary and discriminatory and therefore, unconstitutional. Consequently, over 1.6 million Floridians are subject to Scott’s unfettered discretion and their first Amendment rights are decided on a whim.
Former Governor Charlie Crist was cited in Judge Walker’s opinion. Judge Walker noted under Crist, 154,000 Floridians’ voting rights were restored.  “The right thing is rarely the easy thing, and we were in for an uphill battle.”  But in 2011, Scott changed the voter restoration scheme and has restored voting rights to only 3000.

 
Voting for Amendment 4 can end this madness and return some civility to our beloved state.  Amendments to the Florida Constitution require 60 percent  voter support.    Every vote counts.  Voting is important!  Florida, let’s join the rest of the nation in being the “home of the brave.”   The power is now in the hands of the people — where it belongs.

 
Rev. Don Tolliver,  is  the Vice-President of The Tallahassee Chapter of the National Action Network