New proposal aims to clear up confusion on felons voting in Florida

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A new state proposal aims to clear up confusion when it comes to felons voting in Florida.

The Florida Division of Elections has proposed updating rules to include a form for felons to fill out, requesting an advisory opinion on whether or not they are eligible to vote. The agency released an advisory opinion on the proposal last week.

Dozens of felons were arrested in 2022 and charged with voting illegally. Video of the arrests made national headlines.

One of the people in handcuffs appeared confused about the charges.

“Why would y’all let me vote if I wasn’t able to vote?” the man could be heard saying on body camera video.

The confusion came after Florida voters approved an amendment that restored the rights of some convicted felons who served their sentences. However, the amendment did not apply to convicted murderers or sex offenders.

“When we looked at the arrest in Florida, every single person that was arrested had one thing in common, and that was they were all issued a voter identification card by the State of Florida,” said Desmond Meade, Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.

Now the Florida Division of Elections is trying to clear up confusion. Under the new proposal, felons would be able to fill out the form requesting an opinion on whether they are actually eligible to vote.

The state would have 90 days to respond.

“If a person, a citizen of Florida, cannot rely on the state to determine their eligibility then who that can they rely on?” Meade said. “Once they get a voter identification card from the state or a clearance from the state, they should not live in fear. They should not have to worry about two, three years later, getting arrested for something they thought they were rightfully able to do.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.