Janelle Irwin Taylor
The League of Women Voters is looking for lawyers to help citizens who were previously unable to vote because of felony criminal records register to vote.
The League launched a training program for attorneys and non-lawyer volunteers to help citizens who have paid their debt to society register to vote without incurring penalties.
The Florida Legislature passed an Amendment 4 implementing bill (SB 7066) that restricts ex-felons’ rights under the voter-approved constitutional amendment to restore voting rights. The bill requires such citizens to have fulfilled all financial obligations associated with their record including court fees, fines and restitution.
Opponents of the measure argued the bill subverted the will of voters who intended non-violent ex-felons to be able to register to vote after they had served their sentences.
If Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the bill, which he’s expected to do, the new law would take effect July 1. The state has no plans to pursue penalties on individuals who register to vote under Amendment 4 before the implementing bill takes effect.
The League of Women Voters is holding registration drives across the state on June 15 and 29.
The Florida Bar Association approved training, which will count for two credit hours of Continuing Legal Education.
The League is also soliciting any information about community events in which ex-felons eligible to register to vote under Amendment 4 might attend in order to reach additional eligible voters.
Training would be available before those events to assist lawyers in helping register voters.
Lawyer training for interested volunteers is available from 11:00 am until 1:00 p.m. at the following locations:
June 14
Gainesville, Civic Media Center
433 South Main St.
Gainesville, FL 32601
June 15,
Gainesville, UF Library West
1545 West University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32611
Jacksonville, Beaver Street Enterprise Center
1225 West Beaver St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Orlando, Iglaesia Episcopal Jesus de Nazaret
26 Willow Drive
Orlando, FL 32807
Panama City, Law Offices of Peters & Scoon
Voter Registration Workshop (Lawyer training only, begins 10 a.m. Central Time)
25 East 8th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Daffin Park
320 North Kraft Avenue
Panama City, FL 32401.
Rutherford High School Family fun day and cookout (Community arrives for assistance 4 pm – 7 pm)
1000 School Avenue
Panama City, FL 32401
Tampa
University of Tampa
401 W. Kennedy Blvd
Tampa, FL 33606
June 29, 2019
Tampa
University of Tampa
401 W. Kennedy Blvd
Tampa, FL 33606
Tallahassee
Tallahassee Urban League
923 Old Bainbridge Road
Tallahassee, FL 32303
3 comments
Sandy Oestreich
June 13, 2019 at 10:48 am
KUDOS ONCE AGAIN TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS for putting their members’ shoulders to the wheel For JUSTICE!
Seems more and more, we have to battle the War Within America.
Cheers,
Sandy Oestreich, founder-president of National
Equal Rights Amendment Alliance Inc. 501c3
Prof. Emerita, Adelphi U., NY
Fmr. elected official
Co-author, internationally distributed pharmacology reference texts
Nationally certified Nurse Practitioner of 35 years; and Clinical Nurse Specialist
Member, 3 Nurse Practitioner professional organizations
Headed a Free Clinic for Seniors; worked for a NY City Hospital clinic
Brought lawsuit w/ACLU Atty. Marcia Cohen (and won) vs a local Florida Hospital located on Pinellas County land for actions that abrogated 1st Amendment Church-State separation. One of only two such successful actions in USA
Biographied in Feminists Who Changed America
Nat’l ERA Alliance, is a Lead Organization of the nat’l ERA Coalition,
Member, national ERA Action
Member, Vision2020, Advisory Board-for women’s empowerment
2016 Nominee, “WOMEN’S SUMMIT”, DC
2015 Finalist, St Petersburg FL “Best Nonprofit Business”
2014 Recipient, AAUW/FL “Woman of Distinction”
2012 Recipient, County LWVoters Susan B. Anthony”Failure is Impossible”award Fbk: Pass the Equal Rights Amendment Twitter: @SandyO
SueL
June 13, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Any former felons / returning citizens unsure about their fees, fines, etc, register to vote should do it today, online. Go to https://www.rockthevote.org/
The new law says that any felons who register before July 1 WILL NOT BE PROSECUTED. All the lawyers will be necessary after July 1 to figure out what people owe, so go get registered today, as long as you have completed probation and community service.
gary
June 16, 2019 at 5:34 pm
Well of course Democrats want to add more criminals to their party… Birds of a feather flock together!
Comments are closed.