John, I have amazing news!

We got word this morning that another federal court has found that it is unconstitutional for Florida to deny people with past felony convictions the right to vote based on their inability to pay fines and fees.

• The 17 individual voters who are challenging the law will be able to vote this year. 
• The judges confirmed that the United States Constitution protects the voting rights of anyone who is genuinely unable to pay the fines, fees and restitution from a past conviction.
• This is a huge step in our continuing fight to ensure that the will of the 5.2 million Florida voters who voted to restore voting rights to their fellow citizens with past convictions, regardless of their wealth, will become reality. The case continues to a full trial on April 6. 

Celebrate this victory for voting rights. Share our Facebook post to spread the good news to your friends!

When the Florida legislature passed their law tying the restoration of voting rights to the payment of fines and fees, we filed our lawsuit challenging the law the same day. We represent three individual plaintiffs who would otherwise be denied the right to vote because they are unable to pay off their fines and fees: Bonnie Raysor of Boynton Beach, Diane Sherrill of St. Petersburg and Lee Hoffman of Plant City. I was incredibly proud to represent their stories to the judges when I argued this case in court last month. 

Thank you for helping us to share the news of today’s victory!

Onward,

Danielle Lang
CLC Co-Director, Voting Rights & Redistricting

P.S. You can read more of the details of today’s victory on our website.