Resolution in Support of Voting Rights Restoration Amendment #14-01 Petition

 

Please click here to be directed to the petition:
https://www.floridiansforafairdemocracy.com/sign-the-petition 

Whereas, Florida has one of the most punitive disenfranchisement policies in the country, permanently barring all citizens with felony convictions from voting unless they individually apply to the state Office of Executive Clemency for rights restoration.

Whereas, this policy bars more than 1.7 million Floridians – including more than one in five African-Americans in the state – from the polls. Florida has the highest disenfranchisement rate in the country.

Whereas, under Governor Rick Scott only 2,400 felons have had their voting rights restored compared to 150,000 under Governor Charlie Crist.

Whereas, in Florida it is far easier for a convicted felon to restore their right to carry a concealed weapon than to restore their right to vote.

Therefore, the Sarasota County Democratic Party supports Floridians for a Fair Democracy and their petition drive to place on the ballot a Constitutional Amendment to restore felons voting rights after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation.

We encourage our members to sign this petition and will provide support in gathering the petitions and with copying, printing and mailing of petitions.  We also respectfully request that the Florida Democratic Party adopt this as a Statewide Issue.

Please click here to be directed to the petition:
https://www.floridiansforafairdemocracy.com/sign-the-petition