John,

The right to vote should never be based on the size of your bank account. This is why poll taxes were made unconstitutional in 1964 with the passage of the 24^th Amendment. But still, to this day, we continue to see wealth-based barriers erected between American citizens and the fundamental right to vote.

This is why my colleagues and I were in court yesterday in my home state of Florida: to make sure that voters can have their voices heard, no matter how much money they make.

Florida voters chose to restore voting rights automatically to their fellow citizens that have felony convictions when they approved Amendment 4 in November 2018. Now the state legislature is rolling back that promise. After Floridians voted for second chances, the state legislature passed a new law that keeps people from voting if they are still working to pay off fines and fees associated with their felony convictions. If you have the money to pay, then you can vote.

But for many people, it will take decades to restore their right to vote because of this modern-day poll tax.

Like Lee Hoffman, who told his story yesterday in court.

Lee completed his felony sentence in 2007. A military veteran, he has spent his time since then working to help his fellow vets who need assistance finding housing. “I’ve had many life experiences that have shaped my desire to participate in the democratic process through voting,” he says. But under the new Florida law passed by the legislature, Lee’s hopes to finally be able to vote will be dashed, because he is still working to pay off fines and fees that feel insurmountable with his current income.

Read Lee’s story to learn more about our fight to restore the right to vote to Floridians like him.

Thank you for your support of the fundamental right to vote. We’ll keep you up to date as this fight continues.

Jonathan Diaz
CLC Legal Counsel