State 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.

The level of gun violence in several neighborhoods across Orlando has been dropping in recent months, according to city officials.

A new federal lawsuit accuses Florida officials, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, of making it difficult for convicted felons to determine their voter eligibility, and using the state’s Office of Election Crimes and Security to intimidate, all in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act.

The group that pushed for the restoration of felon voting rights in Florida has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

When law enforcement officers began arresting 20 people charged with illegally voting in the 2020 election, there was a common theme among those accused: they didn't understand why they were being arrested.

Florida voters approved Amendment 4 in 2018 to restore voting rights to nearly 1.4 million Floridian former felons, according to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition.

Investigative 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.

The 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.

The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition spent Wednesday in Tallahassee to observe Returning Citizens Legislative Advocacy Day 2022.

In 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.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – With Election Day being less than two weeks away, leaders from the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition said statewide they’ve paid off fines and fees for 40,000 returning citizens in an effort to encourage them to vote. The organization used Saturday as a statewide day of action where thousands of returning citizens are expected to early vote. “This year is the first time they get a chance to participate with society,” he said. He said his organization has since paid off fines and fees for more than 40,000 returning citizens statewide so they can vote. After performing at Florida Rights Restoration Coalition’s #FreeTheVote, rapper and activist Common took part in a roundtable discussion with SEIU union workers, which represents thousands of workers in the service industry.

ORLANDO, Fla. – President Donald Trump kicked off a weekend full of campaigning across Florida as both sides try to lock in votes ahead of Election Day. I like The Villages,” Trump said at a campaign stop in Marion County on Friday. “We’re going to win the state of Florida. We’re going to win four more years in the White House.”“The clock is ticking. Clark points to this weekend’s campaign schedule as proof that Florida is a battleground for the presidency.

They’re calling Saturday a statewide day of action where thousands of returning citizens are expected to early vote. In Orlando, we’re told hundreds of returning citizens will march through Parramore Saturday to the Amway Center to early vote. News 6 was there when Meade legally registered to vote last year after amendment 4 passed in Florida. “There are thousands upon thousands of returning citizens who are yearning for this opportunity, and they will not be denied and they’re going to show up,” Meade said. He said his organization has since paid off fines and fees for more than 40,000 returning citizens statewide so they can vote.

Meade said he’s inspired knowing that other returning citizens like him are getting their first chance to soon vote in a presidential election. “We as returning citizens we’ve been through a lot.”News 6 was there when Meade legally registered to vote in January of 2019. He said he’s encouraging returning citizens to vote early. He said there will be plenty of masks on hand for returning citizens and their families. With 27 days left until the general election, we’re asking state election leaders if returning citizens who are registered can still pay their fines and vote by election day.

ORLANDO, Fla. – As the deadline arrives to register to vote in Florida, an organization is working to help make sure more returning citizens get the chance to vote next month in the general election. The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition has been working to pay off fines and fees for the 1.4 million returning citizens who owe fines and fees before they can vote. So far, officials with the FRRC said they’ve paid $25 million in fees and fines for returning citizens statewide. They wrote a check Monday for $1.5 million to pay off past fines for 1,500 returning citizens who qualify in Orange County. For people like Wayne Smith, Monday, the deadline to register, was crunch time to try and vote next month in the general election.

Celebrities like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Ariana Grande have donated to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition’s Fines and Fees Fund, according to Executive Director Desmond Meade. He also said the need is there as returning citizens call their hotline for help to be able to vote in the 2020 General Election. “Overall, there are 1.4 million returning citizens that benefit from Amendment 4,” Meade said. Meade said the fines and fees owed vary depending on the case. Meade said it can be difficult for returning citizens to figure out what is owed, especially if they owe fines and fees in more than one county.

That 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.

The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and Central Florida Motorcycle Council held the "Ride for Racial Justice." It’s full-throttle ahead for social reform,” Toni Washington with the Central Florida Motorcycle Council said. Full Screen 1 / 7 Motorcycle ride calls for racial justiceLady V drove up from Ft. Myers and said it was important for her to participate in the ride. In the wake of the officer-involved death of George Floyd, the riders are calling for change to the criminal justice system. “We’re throttling for reform, we’re throttling for change, we’re throttling for injustice and we will be throttling throughout the state of Florida and wherever else we can get to,” Washington said.