INSIDER
From Roe v. Wade to 6-week ban to Amendment 4: Florida’s abortion history
Read full article: From Roe v. Wade to 6-week ban to Amendment 4: Florida’s abortion historyAlthough Roe v. Wade established a constitutional right to abortion across the country, Florida’s abortion story begins a few months before the landmark Supreme Court decision.
5 myths vs. facts you should know about Florida Amendment 4 on abortion
Read full article: 5 myths vs. facts you should know about Florida Amendment 4 on abortionAs Florida heads to the polls next Tuesday, voters will face a critical decision on Amendment 4, a proposal aimed at shaping the state’s stance on abortion rights.
‘Widespread fraud’ behind Amendment 4, lawsuit claims. Here are the accusations
Read full article: ‘Widespread fraud’ behind Amendment 4, lawsuit claims. Here are the accusationsThe plaintiffs in the case allege that many of the signatures on the Amendment 4 petitions were forgeries, belonged to dead people, or contained perjury.
Florida judge refuses to block abortion information ahead of election
Read full article: Florida judge refuses to block abortion information ahead of electionA Leon County circuit judge Monday refused to issue a temporary injunction to block the state Agency for Health Administration from disseminating information about a proposed constitutional amendment.
Abortion advocates to go to court over Florida’s anti-Amendment 4 campaign
Read full article: Abortion advocates to go to court over Florida’s anti-Amendment 4 campaignA Leon County circuit judge is slated Wednesday to hear arguments in a political committee’s request for a temporary injunction to block the state Agency for Health Care Administration from disseminating what the committee calls “misinformation” about a proposed constitutional amendment on abortion rights.
Police are questioning Florida voters about signing an abortion rights ballot petition
Read full article: Police are questioning Florida voters about signing an abortion rights ballot petitionState police are showing up at Florida voters’ homes to question them about signing a petition to get an abortion rights amendment on the ballot in November.
Florida proposed rule could give former felons ‘clarity’ on voting
Read full article: Florida proposed rule could give former felons ‘clarity’ on votingState elections officials are moving forward with an updated process aimed at providing more clarity for people seeking to determine if they are eligible to vote, after a federal lawsuit over the handling of a constitutional amendment that restored voting rights to felons who completed their sentences.
Women share abortion ban stories in Orlando as Harris campaign pushes access issue
Read full article: Women share abortion ban stories in Orlando as Harris campaign pushes access issueReproductive rights issues are a concern across the country and here in Florida, where laws surrounding abortions have recently changed.
Here are the 6 amendments that will be on the Florida ballot in November
Read full article: Here are the 6 amendments that will be on the Florida ballot in NovemberFloridians in November will vote on six proposed constitutional amendments. Passage of each proposal would require support from at least 60% of voters.
Florida Supreme Court expected to rule on marijuana, abortion ballot issues on Monday
Read full article: Florida Supreme Court expected to rule on marijuana, abortion ballot issues on MondayThe Florida Supreme Court is expected to issue rulings on Monday about whether proposed constitutional amendments that seek to ensure abortion rights and allow recreational marijuana will go on the November ballot.
Florida’s chief election officer sued over uninformative voter registration applications
Read full article: Florida’s chief election officer sued over uninformative voter registration applicationsFlorida Secretary of State Cord Byrd is the sole defendant in a federal lawsuit announced Wednesday that challenges the state’s uniform voter registration application.
3 arrested for voter fraud in Orange County believed their voting rights had been restored
Read full article: 3 arrested for voter fraud in Orange County believed their voting rights had been restoredInvestigative documents show all three of the Orange County residents accused of illegally voting in the 2020 elections, this week, thought their right to vote had been restored.
Florida Gov. DeSantis announces 20 charged with election fraud
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis announces 20 charged with election fraudGov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday at least 20 people across Florida were charged with voter fraud after an investigation conducted by the newly created Office of Election Crimes and Security.
Voting rights advocates call Florida fraud arrests form of intimidation
Read full article: Voting rights advocates call Florida fraud arrests form of intimidationThe man who spearheaded a movement that resulted in convicted felons getting their right to vote returned in Florida is demanding better record keeping from state officials.
Felons can get voting rights back sooner under Florida’s new clemency plan
Read full article: Felons can get voting rights back sooner under Florida’s new clemency plan“Those who have had their voting rights restored under Amendment 4, it makes sense to also restore the other civil rights,” DeSantis said. Since taking office in 2019, Fried has pushed DeSantis and other clemency board members to make it easier for felons to have their rights restored. Wednesday’s action reversed five- and seven-year waiting periods imposed by the clemency board when it was made up of former Gov. Florida’s labyrinthine and lengthy clemency process has been assailed for decades as a system designed to keep Black people from voting. Under the old rules, restitution had to be paid in full before felons could apply to have their rights restored.
Amendment 4 fails: Floridians decide against requiring second vote on constitutional amendments
Read full article: Amendment 4 fails: Floridians decide against requiring second vote on constitutional amendmentsTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s proposed Amendment 4, which aimed to require a second vote for amendments to the state constitution, has failed. Currently, a constitutional amendment requires a 60% vote to become effective, anything less means the amendment is rejected, but under Amendment 4 it would extend the process to another round of voting. “Essentially, an amendment approved by Florida voters would not count unless it passed a second time in the next election. A “yes” vote supports requiring voter-approved constitutional amendments to be approved by voters at a second general election to become effective. A “no” vote opposes requiring voter-approved constitutional amendments to be approved by voters at a second general election to become effective.
Timeline: Effort to restore former felons voting rights in Florida
Read full article: Timeline: Effort to restore former felons voting rights in FloridaIn response, more than a dozen former felons and voting rights groups sued Gov. Florida Rights Restoration Coalition raised $27 million to pay off fines and fees for more than 40,000 returning citizens statewide by the Presidential Election. The FRRC led the 2018 ballot initiative to restore voting rights to ex-felons. Prior to the amendment the only way former felons would have their voting rights restored in Florida was to wait at least five years before asking the Florida Clemency Board to restore their voting rights. This amendment would automatically restore voting rights to non-violent offenders if they completed their parole and probation periods.
What to know about Florida’s Amendment 4: Requires second vote on constitutional amendments
Read full article: What to know about Florida’s Amendment 4: Requires second vote on constitutional amendmentsTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Under Amendment 4, Florida voters will decide this November whether constitutional amendments such as Amendment 4 should receive two general election votes before becoming part of the state constitution. [LIVE RACE RESULTS: Scroll to bottom of story to see all race returns starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3]Currently, a constitutional amendment requires a 60% vote to become effective, anything less means the amendment is rejected, but under Amendment 4 it would extend the process to another round of voting. “Essentially, an amendment approved by Florida voters would not count unless it passed a second time in the next election. A “yes” vote supports requiring voter-approved constitutional amendments to be approved by voters at a second general election to become effective. A “no” vote opposes requiring voter-approved constitutional amendments to be approved by voters at a second general election to become effective.
Voters could remove racist phrases from Alabama Constitution
Read full article: Voters could remove racist phrases from Alabama ConstitutionFILE - In this July 26, 2020, file photo, mourners gathered at the Alabama Capitol following the death of Rep. John Lewis. Alabama voters will decide whether to remove racist, segregation-era language from the state's 1901 Constitution in the upcoming election. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett, File)BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama voters once again have the chance to remove the racist language of Jim Crow from the state's constitution, which was approved in 1901 to enshrine white supremacy as state law. Voters in neighboring Mississippi will decide on a replacement for the Confederate-themed state flag, and Rhode Island voters will decide whether to remove a reference to plantations from the state's official name. Two decades ago, Alabama voters voted to repeal an unenforceable section of the constitution that made it illegal for Black and white people to marry.
Pardon blocked for felons’ rights leader
Read full article: Pardon blocked for felons’ rights leaderDeSantis and Patronis on Wednesday blocked Meade’s request for a pardon, with DeSantis saying the panel should take the issue “under advisement” until it can gather more information. The state’s labyrinthine and years-long clemency process prompted Meade and other advocates to initiate the constitutional amendment, which enabled Meade to cast a ballot in last month’s primary elections. Meade said his focus is on getting his rights restored in Florida, as a pardon would restore rights such as being able to serve on juries and have firearms. Critics have condemned the state’s clemency process as a remnant of Jim Crow-era laws designed to keep Black people from voting. The number is a stark contrast to more than 155,000 felons who had their rights restored under an “automatic” process initiated by Scott’s predecessor, former Gov.
Bloomberg raises millions to help Florida felons vote
Read full article: Bloomberg raises millions to help Florida felons voteThe former Democratic presidential candidate has helped raise more than $20 million so that felons who completed their prison sentences can vote in the presidential election. Bloomberg also has pledged $100 million to help Joe Biden win Florida. Working together with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, we are determined to end disenfranchisement and the discrimination that has always driven it,” Bloomberg said in a written statement. The Florida Rights Restitution Coalition had raised about $5 million before Bloomberg made calls to raise almost $17 million more, according to Bloomberg staffers. ____This version corrects the name of the group to Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.
Bloomberg raises millions to help Florida felons vote
Read full article: Bloomberg raises millions to help Florida felons voteThe former Democratic presidential candidate has helped raise more than $20 million so that felons who completed their prison sentences can vote in the presidential election. Bloomberg also has pledged $100 million to help Joe Biden win Florida. Working together with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, we are determined to end disenfranchisement and the discrimination that has always driven it,” Bloomberg said in a written statement. The Florida Rights Restitution Coalition had raised about $5 million before Bloomberg made calls to raise almost $17 million more, according to Bloomberg staffers. ____This version corrects the name of the group to Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.
’It’s voter suppression:’ Ex-felon reacts to court ruling
Read full article: ’It’s voter suppression:’ Ex-felon reacts to court rulingThat ruling reverses a lower court judge’s decision that gave Florida felons the right to vote regardless of outstanding financial obligations. Members of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition said that could have a huge impact on the upcoming election. The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition is an organization that helps people with convictions transition back into society. The organization started a fund to help ex-felons pay their court fees so they can register to vote. Johnson said FRRC has already raised and help pay out more than $3 million in fines to help ex-felons in Florida.
Appellate court weighs Florida law on felon voting rights
Read full article: Appellate court weighs Florida law on felon voting rightsHe and GOP lawmakers say that to regain the right to vote, felons must not only serve their time but also pay all fines and other legal financial obligations. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday could be consequential because of the razor-thin margins that sometimes decide election contests in Florida — a perennial battleground state. Voting rights groups immediately sued for a temporary injunction that would let felons continue registering to vote and cast ballots until the merits of the law can be fully adjudicated. He agreed with voter rights advocates that imposing the debt requirement on impoverished felons amounted to a poll tax. Earlier this month, the Florida Supreme Court issued a non-binding advisory opinion agreeing with the Republican governor.