Coalition files lawsuit over state election system impacting felons’ right to vote
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Florida is facing another lawsuit over its election system.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
On Wednesday, a local group filed a lawsuit demanding Florida fix the part of the system impacting felons, and said Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state are not following the constitution.
The suit calls for a statewide database to determine eligibility, and for a federal monitor to oversee the state’s compliance.
The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition said this is not about politics, it’s about following the will of voters.
“This is about the real lives of people who simply want to participate in their community and engage in this sacred act we call voting,” said Neil Volz, the coalition’s deputy director.
Florida voters approved the restoration of rights. However, lawmakers have had other ideas, saying the system the state put in place just does not work.
The organization says since Amendment 4 was implemented five years ago, the governor and state have pushed to prevent nearly 1.4 million voters from voting.
READ: Avelo Airlines adds new nonstop route from Orlando to the Midwest
Last August, three felons were arrested for voter fraud after they thought their rights were restored.
“We’ve seen a doubling down on the broken system through the election police,” Volz said. “Now, you see people afraid to vote.”
The organization said the state has not done its part to make sure people actually know if they can vote.
“We strongly believe it’s the states responsibility to make sure they have a system in place that will let anyone, any American, to know if they’re eligible to vote, and if they’re not eligible what do they need to do,” coalition executive director Desmond Meade said.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
