Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 1, 2017

The main backer of a proposed constitutional amendment that would automatically restore some felons’ voting rights after they complete their sentences says his group now has collected over 750,000 signatures. Desmond Meade, president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, also said on Wednesday that he’s confident the amendment will have a million signatures by year’s end. […]

Mitch PerryAugust 19, 2017

This summer, the Tampa Tiger Bay Club has bypassed its normal practice of asking politicians to come into its den. Instead, the civic-minded organization has invited speakers to discuss some of the pressing issues facing Florida. This has often led to advocates and critics of an issue dueling it out during Tiger Bay forums. Not […]

Mitch PerryAugust 3, 2017

No one in Florida has worked harder than Desmond Meade to expand felons’ voting rights. Starting in 2015, Meade and his organization, the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, have blanketed the state, collecting signatures to place on the ballot an initiative that would overturn the automatic ban on felons voting. Although the group fell short for the […]

Mitch PerryApril 28, 2017

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe says he had broken the record for restoring voting rights to convicted felons, calling it his “proudest achievement” as governor. And Charlie Crist is leading the cheers applauding the move. McAuliffe boasted Thursday he had individually restored rights to 156,221 Virginians, surpassing the previous record-holder — Crist — by a nose. As […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 27, 2017

A new joint resolution in the House would allow felons the right to vote in Florida three years after their sentence is up. The resolution by Rep. Al Jacquet of West Palm Beach would, if passed on the next general election (or a special election specifically for this) ballot, amend the statutes on voting to […]

Mitch PerryMay 26, 2016

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Noting how Florida leads the nation in barring ex-felons from regaining their right to vote, Orlando area Congressman and Democratic Senate candidate Alan Grayson announced legislation on Thursday that would reinstate voting rights to those Americans who have been shut out of the political process. “We lead the nation in voter disenfranchisement,” Grayson said in a conference call with reporters, […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 18, 2015

Florida is one of only three states left in the country that takes away ex-felons voting rights for life. More than 1.6 million Floridians cannot vote, hold office or serve on a jury, according to The Sentencing Project, a prison-reform group. Democrats in the Florida Legislature have railed for years against what they call this […]

Mitch PerryJuly 24, 2015

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Florida is one of only three states that require a governor’s order to restore civil rights to ex-felons. As the law stands, men and women released from the prison system must wait five years before applying for full citizenship rights. Then they must petition the governor and Cabinet for clemency, a process that can take 10 […]

Mitch PerryNovember 18, 2014

A coalition of groups in Florida are preparing to try to get a constitutional amendment on the 2016 ballot in Florida that would restore the voting rights of most individuals with past felony convictions upon completion of their sentence. These groups include the ACLU of Florida, the League of Women Voters, Faith in Florida and […]

Tag: Desmond Meade
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Voting restoration amendment has 750,000 signatures

Advocates push for restoration of voting rights for ex-felons at Tampa Tiger Bay Forum

ACLU plans to spend millions on campaign to restore felons’ voting rights surprised Desmond Meade

Charlie Crist applauds Terry McAuliffe for beating his record on restoring voting rights

Joint House resolution would restore felon voting rights after three years

Alan Grayson proposes legislation that would restore voting rights to ex-felons

Ex-felon voting rights group’s money troubles cost it League backing … for now

Bid for constitutional amendment to restore ex-felons’ rights not looking good for 2016 ballot

Drive to restore voting rights for ex-felons coming to Florida?