The Supreme Court this week let stand a lower court decision which blocks voting rights for formerly incarcerated Floridians until they pay fines and fees. After a majority of Floridians passed a ballot measure to restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated people in 2018, the Republican state legislature tried to roll back voting rights again by requiring these fines and fees to be paid first – and they have temporarily succeeded.
This rule is effectively a poll tax which prevents people without means from exercising their right to vote – and disproportionately this affects voters of color in Florida. The average fine is $500. The good news is that there are local organizations working to help these voters get back on the rolls, and we can support them.
ACTION: Donate to this Florida Rights Restoration Coalition fund to help these returning citizens pay their fines and fees so they can get their right to vote back:
https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/frcceducationfund/campaign/amendment4fund/Donation/
If you are not able to make a donation at this time, your action is to share the donation link with family and friends.
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In Memoriam: We mourn the legendary civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis, who passed away last night:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/17/us/john-lewis-dead.html?action=click&module=Alert&pgtype=Homepage
