Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 14, 2018

A federal judge has denied the National Rifle Association‘s request to shield a plaintiff’s name in litigation against the state’s new school safety and mental health law. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker on Sunday turned down the NRA’s request to use a “Jane Doe” pseudonym for the 19-year-old Alachua County woman, portrayed in court documents as seeking […]

Danny McAuliffeMay 4, 2018

For some, Friday is a special day. The date marks the 150-year anniversary of Florida’s constitutionalized disenfranchisement of voters, a Jim Crow-era policy that’s still relevant in 2018, as the state revokes voting rights for convicted felons — even after they’ve completed their sentences. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, Florida is one […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 18, 2018

Florida, by most accounts, has one of the worst records for restoring the civil rights of reformed felons. Per the Christian Science Monitor, more than a third of ex-felons who can’t vote live in Florida. Despite a U.S. District Judge ruling that Florida’s practice violates both First Amendment and equal-protection rights of former prisoners, and must […]

Jim RosicaApril 4, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will appeal a federal judge’s order to devise a new process for restoring voting rights to felons. The Governor’s Office announced the move Wednesday morning. The appeal will be filed with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. “People elected by Floridians should determine Florida’s clemency rules for […]

Staff ReportsMarch 29, 2018

Democratic state Sen. Darryl Rouson of St. Petersburg is calling on Gov. Rick Scott to “fix the ‘fatally flawed’ voting rights restoration process for convicted felons.” U.S. District Judge Mark Walker of Tallahassee this week issued a permanent injunction declaring Florida’s restoration process in violation of the 1st and 14th Amendments. “It is past time for Florida to revise […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 12, 2018

In response to a federal judge saying that the Florida’s voting rights restoration process is unconstitutional, the state’s legal team said Monday the state’s clemency board should fix its flaws — not the courts. State Solicitor General Amit Agarwal argued that U.S. District Judge Mark Walker should not issue any corrective orders, saying “there is […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerFebruary 5, 2018

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission may wade into the state’s process for restoring voting rights of ex-felons, after a federal judge ruled the current clemency process is unconstitutional. Members of the commission’s Ethics and Elections Committee unanimously agreed Friday to explore ways to consider the issue, either through additional committee meetings or by amending a […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 1, 2018

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A federal judge on Thursday said the system used by the state to vet which ex-felons get to have their voting rights restored is unconstitutional. “Florida’s vote-restoration scheme is crushingly restrictive,” U.S. District Judge Mark Walker wrote in a 43-page ruling. “The scheme crumbles under strict scrutiny because it risks — if not covertly authorizes […]

Mitch PerryMay 3, 2017

Two bills sponsored by Tampa House Democratic Minority Leader Janet Cruz are headed towards Governor Rick Scott’s desk. The House on Wednesday unanimously passed SB 800, the Senate companion to Cruz’ bill that will prohibit health insurers from denying patients the ability to receive a partial refill of a prescription if they choose to enroll in a medication […]

Jim RosicaDecember 12, 2016

A lawsuit against Florida A&M University by a Belize native who claims she was wrongly fired is headed to court-ordered mediation. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker last Friday ordered a mediation report by July 27, and tentatively set a jury trial to begin Oct. 16 if the parties can’t resolve the case. Glenda McDougall‘s lawsuit, filed in […]

Tag: Mark Walker

Judge denies anonymity in NRA suit against gun law

On disenfranchisement anniversary, voting rights activists push for Amendment 4

Rick Scott defends Florida’s restoration of rights record

Rick Scott, Cabinet appeal voting rights ruling

Darryl Rouson on voting rights: Fix this now

State, voting rights group disagree on how to handle clemency process

Constitution panel could look for clemency fix

Judge rules Florida’s voter-restoration process is unconstitutional

Two Janet Cruz-sponsored bills headed to Gov. Scott’s desk

FAMU ‘thick accent’ case referred to mediation