Felons Line Up to Apply for Voting Rights (Florida)

This article about workshops being held in FL to help those felons who have served their time regain their civil rights is a real eye-opener. What I thought was going to be 'just' a human interest story included some amazing statistics about the disenfranchised in Florida that I thought should be shared here.

Several snips:

There's a backlog of 30,000 requests, said Larry Hyman, coordinator of the St. Petersburg workshop. About 95 percent of felons who seek to have their civil rights restored are denied, according to the ACLU.

Florida denies felons the right to vote unless they successfully petition to have their rights restored. The disenfranchisement, which also prohibits holding public office and serving on juries, is lifelong unless the clemency board restores rights. The application process in cases requiring a hearing can take several years.

In Florida, about 500,000 people have lost the right to vote and hold certain occupational licenses after serving time for felonies, according to the ACLU.

Critics of the voting rights ban hope to gather enough signatures for a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2004 that would automatically restore civil rights once those with felony convictions complete their sentences, Hyman said.
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/07/27/Southpinellas/Felons_line_up_to_app.shtml

a backlog of 30,000
95% denied
process can take several years
500,000 people

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=87208&mesg_id=87208&page=


I am locking this one.


NYer99
DU Moderator