No voting for registrants in Florida – Governor denies all pending clemency applications.
We are beginning to be notified by members who had pending applications for civil rights restoration that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has summarily DENIED all pending applications for restoration of voting rights for anyone with a murder or sex offense.
This is HORRIBLE!
The letters say:
Dear Mr XXXXXXX,
On March 10, 2021, the Governor exercised his clemency powers to deny the pending clemency applications of all murderers and felony sex offenders. Accordingly, the Governor has denied your request for clemency and your application has been closed.
Under the current Rules of Executive Clemency, you will be eligible to reapply for clemency on March 10, 2023, two years from the date of the denial.
There is no appeal process for the denial of a clemency request.
Sincerely,
XXXX
XXXX
Coordinator, Office of Executive Clemency
The denial of restoration of civil rights not only prevents impacted people from voting, but it also precludes them from obtaining certain professional licenses.
We need to fight this!!!
I got mine yesterday. Amazing how it took 14 years (in my case) after i properly submitted the application, checked on it a few times a year, to get told NO. Just NO.
How do we fight this when the letter clearly says there is no process for appeal?
All the criminal reform legal and civic orgs I talked to said a DeSantis win would be a loss for our cause. DeSantis is a very smart Yale and Harvard graduate. He knows exactly what he is doing. It is all about the votes from his constituency base and why I am not at all surprised by his stance.
We should consider voting for those candidates that champion criminal justice reform as we have the better shot at winning them over than those candidates that view tougher laws are the solution to law and order.
Absolutely. I will vote for anyone over DeSnatis. He’s garbage.
When interviewed by the Jacksonville Florida Times Union before the last election for Florida governor, DeSantis was asked how he felt about criminal justice reform. His reply was that he was happy with the status quo — i. e., he does not what any changes, and he has definitely followed what he said. He was a former prosecutor in the military.
G, I support what you said earlier about the ACLU. All polls showed that if we had been included, the amendment would not have passed. What would that have accomplished? Nothing. At least this way, we have many people with a past felony who can (or will in the future) be able to vote some day for registered citizens to have the same right. I feel that most of them will support us.
I never have found out what the legal reasoning for denying voting rights for SO or murderers. I mean once you’re off probation that is. This denial isn’t really a surprise given the political climate here in Florida. I can’t vote but I can sure as heck help all those people who can vote and vote these people out of office and hopefully get some more enlightened lawmakers in office.
It’s all 100% political. It’s obvious DeSantis has his sight set on the White House. Can’t give the other side any free “gifts” to use in smear/attack ads. .
It seems to me that you may be able to fight it because there is no process for appeal. Due process denied.
You can’t have taxation without representation, so are sex offenders then able to live tax free if we are unable to vote for who we want for representation? Just a thought!
We needed to “fight this” back in fall of 2018!
Now it is too late.
You are talking about overturning a Florida Constitutional Amendment.
This should have been fought tooth and nail back when the amendment was first proposed. We should have raised a huge holy stink and been marching in the streets! Now it is too late.
The name of Desmond Meade should have been reviled for what it is: a turncoat!
I was on the ACLU Amendment 4 call to action telephone call. I spoke with the ACLU team that was heading up the voters rights restoration amendment. I asked specifically why were any groups being specifically targeted for exclusion in this amendment and I was told…The ACLU believed the only way the amendment had a chance of being considered was excluding these two groups. I argued, sharing these were the two lowest groups of re-offenders. I was told maybe in the future, after everyone else gets voting rights restored the ACLU would consider supporting the two excluded groups. I shared just remember there is strength in numbers and when there are hundreds of thousands affected, in all walks of life, the impact is stronger than when there are only tens of thousands affected. Their actions are inconsistent with the ACLU motto to find equality for ALL. I was dropped from the Q&A, and the next caller was able to ask his/her questions. At no point were the concerns of the two excluded groups ever discussed again.
So yes, the time was 2 years ago. But please remember that even after Florida voted overwhelingly for YES Restore voting rights per Amendment 4, the Governor said…. NOT SO FAST and placed his requirements in the way of what the people wanted.
I was heavily involved and polling indicated more chance of passing if they excluded murderers and registered citizens. So the question back then was lose the whole thing, or play the odds and win now and then advocate for murderers and registered citizens. The played the odds as I would have done was I i their shoes. The ACLU has been the best outside advocate for us via legal help and suggest we understand and speak well of friends.
The Governor isn’t above retaliation he denied Desmond Meads Pardon after it was it was brought up by Nikki Fried
Someone needs to talk to the Desantis team because he is a reasonable man and if all he hears everyday is how horrible RSO’S are then yes he will continue to deny anything that benefits us but if he was presented with not just facts but also the fact a lot of RSO’s are on the list for some ridiculous reasons he might think twice before making such harsh decisions. Not to mention people are talking about him for President in 2024 so if he actually starts running this county what an ally he could be
DeSnatis is not a reasonable man.
I vote and I will vote against him every single time. This helped solidify that even more.
I’m constantly amazed and appalled by things that happen in Florida. Murderers and sex offenders? Those are the two categories of felons who are least likely to reoffend or create a danger to society. In the latter case, the spectrum of registerable offenses is incredibly broad. The governor’s categorical denial is simply political posturing. Shame on him.
Veritas.
The last time I checked this is the United States of America and I am a citizen of these United States.
I don’t understand how the State can deny me or anyone who is a citizen the right to vote.
Okay Florida doesn’t want me to vote. What are they afraid of me doing.
And it should not have anything to do with the Federal elections. Such as the Presidency.
Just saying.
He’s making a rational political calculation that the public doesn’t like SO’s voting. He knows exactly what he’s doing.
The only way to persuade smart FL elected officials to allow registrants to vote, is to keep educating their constituents.
It always amazes me how politicians say they are protecting the public when their actions put the public more at risk by passing laws that prevent people from becoming good citizens. So in other words, they are more than willing to put every single citizen at risk for further harm against them for all types of crimes. And people actually believe this too.
I will be adding Governor DeSantis to my media blitz mailings. Sounds as though he is in need of education. I did not spend 29 years in the military and pay the full price of my failure to be denied the right to vote and not have a say on how my tax dollars are spent by politicians.
There is hope for ALL of us if HR 1 [For the People Act of 2021] passes in the US Senate. The act will restore federal voting rights to ALL Americans in ALL states, even if on probation. I suggest a call to action for everyone to read it and contact your US Senator and implore them to support it.
Key points:
Subtitle E—Democracy Restoration
SEC. 1403. RIGHTS OF CITIZENS.
The right of an individual who is a citizen of the United States to vote in any election for Federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility at the time of the election.
SEC. 1406. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this subtitle:
(4) PROBATION.—The term “probation” means probation, imposed by a Federal, State, or local court, with or without a condition on the individual involved concerning—
(A) the individual’s freedom of movement;
(B) the payment of damages by the individual;
(C) periodic reporting by the individual to an officer of the court; or
(D) supervision of the individual by an officer of the court.
Additionally, Floriduh’s Registry seems to fit the federal definition of probation, so maybe that fact could be leveraged into getting the AWA to override it.
Full text is here:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1/text
Get everyone that can vote to elect Nikki Reid governor. I know I will! Question is, can we sue? I’ll help fund it!!
Yes we can sue..that’s one right they can’t deny us! In cases like this.. a class action lawsuit is the way to go .The more people involved, the stronger it would be!! The only problem maybe financing it!
yes – the problem is financing it.
Speaking of funding, the Ex Post Facto fund has changed from 86% funded to 0%, can you advise if we are moving forward on this issue ?
Yes – this is our 2021 round. Now we have 2 challenges under this same heading, an appeal in the 11th Cir and a new case in the Northern District.
In my opinion, the basis for changing many of these types of laws and/or actions is based on the US Constitution. The Thirteenth Amendment is normally remembered as abolishing slavery. What most people don’t realize is the second part of that Amendment. It says that slavery shall be abolished “except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted…”.
I am not an attorney, nor do I have any formal legal training. However, again, in my humble opinion much of the injustice done against us (and many others) is loosely based upon this little known phrase.
Beyond that, why do we have a governor who goes against the wishes of a MAJORITY of the voters in the state of Florida.
Mark but remember the registry was presented to and passed the Supreme Court because it’s not punishment although that’s exactly what it is
Thank you Iservedmytym. You took the words out of my mouth.
Florida is overwhelmingly Republican and politically conservative. Until that climate swings more towards center or we can convince some folks with significant statewide political impact that “we” don’t present any significant danger and are potentially a valuable voting block we don’t stand a chance. DeSantis, and a large majority of the Florida House, will pander to whomever can give him the most political benefit.
Before some people hammer me on the Republican – Conservative comment I AM NOT making that a criticism. It’s simply a common observation. Their goals and opinions are not wrong, some in this group actually support us, they’re simply different from many that support us registered folks.
I have a group of approximately 20 friends, men and women and their respective spouses, that have known me for 20+ years, some for 35+. The entire group are all Republicans and range from just right of center to very conservative right. We get together 1-2 times a month just to drink coffee and gab. Early last summer about 12 of us were sitting outside of a coffee shop and my status, probation rules, and associated stuff came up. One friend actually brought up the voting issue. About 2/3 of them said that because they knew me that they thought that the Amendment 4 restrictions were wrong. The other 1/3 were supportive of the restrictions but at the same time conflicted, again, because they knew me. This group said that they would probably support voting restoration if there was a screening/evaluation process.
Since almost all of us are retired or still working engineers many of the group decided to “gather some data“. They went back to their church and social groups and brought up the subject of sex offenders and sex offenses and the restoration of rights, particularly voting rights.
When we met a couple months later they all said that about 90% of the responses they got were all very negative. The responses ranged from that we should never ever have any type of rights restored all the way to that every single sex offender should be in lifetime civil commitment or have a lifetime prison sentence. That sex offenders no matter what the crime should never walk the streets free again. About 1/2 of the group worked asking about supporting political candidates into their discussions. They talked about whether or not these people would support any political candidate that proposed any type of positive legislation concerning sex offenders. They said that almost 100% of the folks that they talked to said that not only would they not support a candidate like this but they would actively work to defeat a candidate like this. Almost amusingly some of them worked into the conversation the same questions about convicted murderers. Many of the responses they got said that only the most evil murderers should receive the same treatment. Many of those people saw convicted murderers as having made a mistake and being redeemable. Many made comments about sex offenders that we are “permanently broken“ and beyond redemption.
Now this has 0% connection to any type of scientific research or opinion polls but it is very telling about the things that we face trying to make any headway for ourselves.
Roger, while disappointed that the majority of persons you polled that did not know you responded negatively, it does not surprise me. There is a lot of of fear and misconception about registered citizens. When most think about a registered citizen they envision a serial rapist-murderer or the creepy guy offering candy to children in the playground, or the guy in a trench coat exposing himself. All scary images. All stereotypes. Not who the overwhelming majority of persons on the registry are. That is the disconnect and our biggest challenge.
I was heartened to hear that persons who knew you thought different.
And I feel that is our biggest solution. The more others get to know who a registered citizen is, the less stereotype, the less fear. That leads to a better opportunity for a different perception, more space to see us as humans, more space for the understanding that a person can make a mistake, and more space to allow for that person to pick themselves up and become a better person. I commend you for taking the bold step of speaking to others about your past mistake. We as registered citizens need to do this. Living in caves and hiding from the world is both mental health damaging, and does nothing in changing perceptions.
BTW – Have you seen the documentary “Untouchable”?
I am fortunate to have Roger and his wife as friends and I am joyed to see that he has decided to step up and speak out for registered citizens. He is very talented in his writing and a welcome member of FAC. I am with the FAC Media Committee and our effort is to educate those who fear registered citizens because they have believed the lies. When I started writing for the ‘media blitz’, organized by our dedicated member Sarah, I was assigned 17 media persons to communicate with. I have since added two more based on the New York Post article outlined in the FAC weekly online post. But seeing the need for farther education of civic leaders I have added the 5 Brevard County commissioners and the Brevard sheriff. Then the FAC online post recently pointed out Governor DeSantis’ decision to withhold voting rights of registered citizens. While I believe he is a leader who wants to do right…as his stand against the ‘swamp’ indicates…he is also a leader in need of an education on registered citizens. So I have now added him to my mailing list. I now send out the media letters…modified as appropriate…to 26 different recipients. We already have one county commissioner on the side of registered citizens. Demeaning letters to media persons or politicians will not get us anywhere as their defenses will just get stronger. Education of the public is what is needed. In the future I plan to add some church leadership to my mailings as some of the ‘bastions’ of love and forgiveness seem to have fallen for Satan’s ploy of not wanting to offend even if it is God’s Word that is doing the offending. Sometimes the truth hurts.
Fully agree!!! Thanks for stepping up! I send Sarah post I feel maybe FAC wants to respond to and i myself email journalists. Taking action is what will make the difference.
I have become to hate the state of Florida, it’s a terrible place to live. I hope Desantis, (the Trump mini-me) will suffer for his cruel decisions, Karma’s a bitch…
You think the democrats are any better? This is politics. They’re not gonna lose a bunch of voters to give rights back to a few. Imagine the headlines from LIBERAL MEDIA saying that he allows sex offenders to vote. Just imagine. And lay off Trump. That man stays in your brain rent free.
Stays in the brain like terminal brain cancer.
I have stopped thinking about our issue as Democrats versus Republicans versus independents I do not feel this is about one “team” being better than the other. I feel this is about what candidate (whether DEM, REP, Independent, or one that advocates for making pizza the official US snack) is campaigning on criminal justice reform and not on “law and order” (which typically means get tough on crime).
Not saying it is guaranteed they will vote our way just because they are championing criminal justice reform. They are still susceptible to catering to their constituency base in order to get reelected, but that base better gets that the system needs fixing, and so more open to hearing about what fixes are needed as regards our cause.
And so I will play the odds and vote for candidates that campaign on reform any time, over voting for my “team” thinking that once in office I can convince them to start championing reform.
And on a personal note, I do not care if they are Black, brown, yellow, straight, gay, transgender or Martians. If they have my back, I have theirs. Just as we are complain about how we are stereotyped, I fear too many of us do the same. ,
Agreed. We do not endorse one party over another. We endorse policy. In the instant case, this individual governor, no matter who his affiliation, race, gender or orientation, kicked our population so hard in the face it’s head-spinning. People who have been waiting in the application queue for years, in one fail swoop, got summarily denied irrespective of what efforts they have made to earn their restoration. That is not a subjective observation. That’s fact. This governor has been a disaster for our cause.
Is there any legal action (law suit) you can bring against the governor/state over this?
I’m just saying that a democrat governor wouldn’t have favored those on the registry in a state that has Lauren and Ron Book as well as the entire country of brainwashed citizens who think every sex offense is the same as what they see on scripted TV shows like “Law & Order SVU”.
No way of knowing what a criminal justice reform minded Governor, whether Dem, Rep or Independent can get accomplished. I feel we should stop picking “teams” and unilaterally critiquing or assuming the position if the other “team” and focus on getting eleted those candidates that champion criminal justice reform. I feel doomsaying is counterproductive. Let’s get elected those who we feel are.most aligned and then fight like hell to get them to move our way once they have the office.
When this round of ‘Media Blitz’ mailings are complete it might be a good idea to start with educating religious leaders. The very place…church…where all should be welcome to pursue their salvation and forgiveness is sometime the most hypocritical in their responses to registered citizens. Once again, just like our politicians, they want to ‘protect’ their ‘customers’.
Great point regards the hypocrisy given that for most, their religion teaches treat others as you would have them treat you.
I wonder if there are any statistics that show they are more open to forgiving a “sin” as long as repent than the general population. Thus more open than the general population to give Registered citizens a second opportunity. I would have to think so given it is part of what they preach.
Sometimes what they preach is not what they practice. Let’s face it, some churches are a business and the leadership is making very respectable salaries. They want to protect these salaries even if it requires crossing the line into hypocrisy. The Bible tells us we will know them by their fruits. Some churches are adamant in fulfilling God’s call to serve while other churches are overcome with rotten ‘fruit’. Those churches need an education that goes beyond the Bible.
agreed. Hope we can align with those churches that preach love, understanding and redemption. I am sure there are religious persons that feel they way. Some we may have to educate so they can discard the misguided fears and stereotypes. Others get it already. I know a pastor that ministers and feeds the homeless registrants in Miami. I admire his adherence to the true teachings of his religion.
Capt
Preachers, pastors and other clergy are still human and no better than anyone else. Having said that, God holds them to a higher standard. If they lead the sheep (God’s people) astray, mislead them, cheat them or otherwise mistep, it leads people to distrust churches.
I have seen at least 50 churches in Central Florida close down or change hands over the past 3 years.
“WE NEED TO FIGHT THIS.. CLOSE MOUTH DO NOT GET FED!!”
It’s just beyond me wrapping my brain around them being able selectively omit groups from being able to vote. You can have a felony list as long as my arm and get your right to vote again as long as you dont have a sex charge or murder. Drugs, home invasion, carjacking, bank robbing your good. Are they afraid we would have a tremendous power to sway an election. Ron Desantis could use 70,000s vote we could provide.
It’s truly sick! To just summarily deny an entire class of citizen from voting REGARDLESS of what they have done in the decades since their offense is sick. It’s a slap in the face! It says that no level of repentance will ever get you anyplace, so why bother? This is a sick, sick, sick state!
Has anyone with a sex offense ever received civil rights restoration and what about anyone awaiting a full pardon? Were they denied also or just the CR restoration?
Anne
Just my opinion, but, I think the only way for someone with a sex offence to get a pardon, is if they truely were 100% not guilty and had hard facts, evidence and witnesses to prove such.
We are considered lower on the totem pole than the Taliban by most people. Heck I might do a poll, “Would you rather live next to a registered sex offender or a Taliban Terrorist waiting to for Jihad instructions?”.
Why would you vote for your oppressor? You kerp voting that kind of person or mindset into office and expect different outcomes!! Definition of insanity.
Read Harper v Virginia Board of Elections, 383 US 663 (1966) and tell me this is constitutional.
As mentioned, the difficulty is financing any litigation.
As long as registrants are tightfisted with their money, these unconstitutional laws will go unchallenged and will only get worse and worse.
The problem isn’t DeSantis and politicians like him.
The problem is 99% of registrants are all talk but silent when it comes time to pony up the cash.
Registrants who remain silent deserve to suffer the effects of these unconstitutional laws. I stand behind the 1% but the other 99% are wasting their time if they knock on my door seeking help.
I showed the U.S. Supreme Court case that says they cannot discriminate against a class (at 666). It’s up to Florida registrants either to pony up the cash or to stay silent and suffer the effects of their silence.
It’s difficult to pony cash on a slave salary. Most of us have minimum wage jobs the don’t pay much more than rent. It’s one of the reasons that so many of live on the streets.
Detroit, I do believe you are misinterpreting the decision and are generalizing beyond the holdings and case specifics. You must remember that most of what is written is just dicta and not binding law. Dicta, like dissenting opinions, does not need to be followed, although it may have an influence on future decisions. It is only the Court’s holdings that truly matter. Holding c states:
“(c) The interest of the State, when it comes to voting registration, is limited to the fixing of standards related to the applicant’s qualifications as a voter.”
So a State can determine voter qualifications, i.e. fix standards, within certain constitutional boundaries. It is truly unfortunate, but I don’t believe those convicted of murder, sex offenses or any felony would be considered a “class” as you interpret it.
Janice Bellucci of ACSOL was absolutely correct when she pointed out that a frivolous court action could result in an adverse decision that would make things worse. Arguing that felons are somehow a “protected class” would likely result in the Supreme Court holding that they are not, which would close doors at lower court levels. Even more likely is that the Court would not grant cert and appellate courts’ adverse decisions would stand.
In typical Army jargon, your assertion would be considered “pissing into the wind,” getting everyone’s feet wet. Battles need to be picked carefully.
Veritas.
And state-mandated fees have to be paid or it’s more jail time. Those who have means should put skin in the game. Too many want to reap the rewards of someone else’s sacrifice. Let someone else put their necks on the line by speaking out.
When I completed my sentence, the rules were 15 years no arrest, voting rights automatically restored. How is it Florida is allowed to change the rules, from what was givin at the end of my sentance? Post De ex Facto thats how!!
Is there ANYONE is not surprised? I mean I saw this coming a mile away. He is running for President in 2024 and wants to show he is tough on crime. That includes past crimes, current crimes and future crimes.
That is all, please resume your daily lives and thanks for playing along in this episode of “What will the Government do next”?
If voting is that important to you, my advice would be to move out of state before 2024 and make sure you vote against him in the primaries and general election for your new state of residence. Your vote doesn’t count in Florida anyway.
On another thought, if Florida makes you declare a temporary residence for most out of state travel, could one declare themselves a resident of another state for the purposes of voting (since they have to go through so much trouble anyway)? I wonder what states have the least restrictive residency requirements for voting purposes?
Sir Cherokeejack…..
You State, “and future crimes.”
So, ‘THESE’ People can Predict the Future? On What Empirical Data?
So They can Predict anything? Predict the Powerball Numbers?
-Please let me know!
And CherokeeJack, I always appreciate your Posts!
make it a great day
DeSantis is echoing Amendment 4. Why would he do otherwise? I agree with the comments indicating we should have fought – sued – over Amendment 4. It is horrible legislation in its creation of a lesser class (within the Constitution!!) of Florida! I was very open regarding my opinions at the time. Come back for us?! Really?! What’s the chance of that? Some of the new voting public are most likely the same inmates who tormented, stole, and assaulted us while incarcerated. Our only hope is to legally challenge Amendment 4 on its face (which should have been done two years ago) or leave the State of Florida, which is what the general public wants.
Can you share why you are so sure they would not come back for us? Were you involved in the work it took to get Amend 4 to go thru. Did you see the polling numbers? Because I did.
“Those” that would come back for us would do it for the same reason they championed it for the others. The belief that once you pay your dues it is better for everyone that a person come back as a productive member of society.
I hear too many people focusing on criticizing, don’t become involved in the effort, and then Monday morning quarterback.
I am not a lawyer so please enlighten me as to whether Amend 4 can be litigated, and what that means. Does the whole thing become invalidated when you litigate and thus every felon loses and we are back to square one?
Or do you feel there a legal grounds to sue the state because the people of the state voted but because two classes of people were not on the ballot means they are guilty of discrimination? How can you legally argue they would not have voted in favor of including the two classes? I am not sure I understand your stance and please share because if there are valid legal standing to sue due to exclusion (even though under law we are not a protected class) then I am all in and will chip in to litigate.
You are correct in that Florida does not consider those convicted of a felony to be a “protected class”. The key reason I believe there will be no coming back for those left behind and placed in an additional/separate/unequal “constitutional” class (under-class), is based on the polling numbers that you saw. What do you think the odds are that the voting citizens of Florida would support an amendment strictly to allow (include) the isolated group of those with felony convictions of murder and sex offenses the right to vote? I bet the odds are less than 5%. The Governor slapped the RSO community in the face just like Amendment 4 did. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for those who can now vote under Amendment 4. It is deeply regrettable however, that the committee did not put forth more effort to simplify the initiative to include all convicted felons in Florida, period. In terms of causes of action, that’s not up to me to post on this forum, but for a Florida legal team to review and file.
G
A lawsuit of discrimination would be thrown out as soon as it was filed. Felons, or ex felons, are not a protect class. (At least not in Florida)
If they tried to say no jews, blacks or people in wheel chairs could vote, that would be considered protected classes.
“Judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.” James 2:13. I wouldn’t be surprised if a sinkhole opened up and swallowed the Governor’s mansion. In the end, he’ll get all of the justice God has stored up for him on judgement day either way.
As for me, I’m glad to dispense mercy whenever I am able. I know how much has been shown to me.
Go where? Who wants a Sec offender from florida
This will be my last post for a very long time. While I am greatful for all the comments on here with many of the post about these registry ordeals whether good or bad it seems to me that FAC is a bit more understanding about all this “hanis type of injustice” in their state.
Even the word “Action” is good and yes there is a good action and their is bad action. One will have to excuse my spelling as I am not into all this quick fix type of registry or quick answering type comments.
Yes we shuld all give thanks to the Justice we do have. Whether some governors seem to go over the “golden rule” is a bit disturbling to many in many states. Hey I’m with many of you all about this registry in many ways that is running amuck.
Yes leaders of truth are good and as FAC has said their committee take no particiality in Republicans or Demoncrates. Yes every one of you in Florida can make a difference for true Justice. Whether one has a little bit of righteousness or is striving for the truth, we should all remember the truth will set you free.
Go for the goal Florida Action Committee.
I registered to vote when I was 18 but I never got to vote because 6 months later I had gotten in trouble. That was 26 years ago. I do think it is horrible not given the chance to restore one’s voting rights especially after so many years but I am not powerless. Even though I can’t vote I still have the ability to influence my friends, family, and strangers who can vote and have them vote for me because I changed their minds.
JD:
You are absolutely correct. Whether you vote or not you can influence others and how they view the registry.
The single biggest thing that all registrants can do to create change is not to reoffend.
I am sorry that you have been deprived of your right to vote.
When I lived in FLORI-DUH and was convicted, within 3 days after Conviction, I received a Registered Letter from the Head of the Voter Election System of Hillsborough County saying that I was “banned for life from voting”…..
—–I never signed for the letter….The Nice Letter Carrier just left it on my porch…He was a Cool Kat!
…Yes, they are the words….My Attorneys have this letter for safe keeping!
It just tells you the HATE THAT EXISTS IN FLORI-DUH, for those on the HIT LIST!
Make it Great Day!
Truth
Since you have that letter stating you cannot vote for life, I guess when the rest of us get our voting rights restored, we will have to have a special election to override your letter LOL
I think I also got some sort of letter like that like 30 years ago. Can’t remember though. If I did, I probably got mad and shredded it.