How to Vote in Florida after a Felony Conviction
As is the case in many U.S. states, people who have been convicted of a felony in Florida are stripped of many rights. Even after they have served their sentence, they are prohibited from exercising basic constitutional rights, such as owning a firearm. They are also prohibited from voting, unless they take certain steps to have their rights restored.
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Things You'll Need
- Court documents
- Employment history
- Child-support documentation
- Legal permanent address
Instructions
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Submit an application for the restoration of civil rights to Florida's Executive Clemency Board, which consists of the governor and the cabinet. For less serious offenses, no hearing is required. For crimes that are considered more serious, such as violent crimes, a hearing by the board will be necessary. The application for clemency is available online or by calling 1-800-435-8286.
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Complete your punishment. All of the terms of the sentence must be completed prior to submitting an application. This includes any incarceration time, restitution, probation, and parole, as well as payment of any fines.
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Do not commit any crimes. For applications that do not require a hearing, an applicant must have been crime and arrest free for the previous five years. For more serious violations, the applicant must have crime and arrest free for the previous seven years. Crime and arrest free means an applicant must not have even been arrested, regardless of how the case was ultimately disposed of.
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Submit certified court documents to the board. Certified court documents include the charging document, the judgment, the sentencing, as well as probation and community control orders. They can be obtained from the clerk of court of the county in which the original arrest occurred.
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Submit personal information, including work and employment history, child support documentation, and any letters from individuals or organizations in support of clemency.
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Await an administrative investigation. The administrative investigation will look into your mental health, drug, and alcohol history and prior arrests, including any traffic offenses. The board will also take into consideration any letters opposing the grant of clemency.
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Tips & Warnings
An attorney is not required for a person to submit a request for clemency or to be present during any hearing.
All documentation submitted with an application becomes the property of the Executive Clemency Board, so make sure to keep copies of everything for your records.
An applicant may not submit a request for further clemency for a period of two years after their original request was granted or denied.
An applicant is not eligible to receive clemency if they owe any restitution, have any charges against them pending, or have any outstanding warrants.
References
Resources
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