Restoration of Voting Rights in Florida

In November 2018, Florida voters approved a ballot measure restoring voting rights to more than a million individuals with prior felony convictions. But thanks to a new state law and its difficult implementation, many citizens remain effectively disenfranchised.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (Photo: Gage Skidmore)

Months after Floridians voted to restore the right to vote to individuals with prior felony convictions who had completed their sentences, the state legislature passed a bill, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, explicitly requiring these individuals to pay all fines and fees before they can cast a ballot, regardless of circumstance. Many have criticized the law, SB 7066, for instituting a financial hurdle to exercising the right to vote and effectively overturning the will of the voters who passed Amendment 4.

But a significant issue has also been the fact that the state has no central database or system for actually tracking what people owe with any certainty — thus putting the onus on the voter to navigate a murky system. Florida’s Department of State said it was developing a procedure wherein it can regularly update counties with lists of felons who owe fees, but the lack of process remains a serious concern.

In October, a federal judge temporarily blocked the law for 17 people who challenged SB 7066 in court, and ruled that it was unconstitutional to deny the franchise to those who are “genuinely unable to pay.” U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle also said that there needed to be a process for evaluating someone’s claim that they can’t afford to pay their outstanding fees. Meanwhile, the 2020 election — and registration deadlines — draw nearer, with Hinkle having accused the DeSantis administration in December of trying to “run out the clock.” 

American Oversight is investigating the development and implementation of Amendment 4 and SB 7066, looking at the related records of state and local officials involved in implementing the new law.

Updates

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March 18, 2021
It’s Sunshine Week, and we’re continuing to shine a light on the actions of state governments across the country to narrow access to our democracy or to use public office to serve the few.

News Roundup: Capitol Attack Intelligence Failures and the National Voter-Suppression Frenzy

February 25, 2021
Senators held a hearing about the Jan. 6 attack, and state legislatures continue to push new voting-restriction bills.

Investigations Update: Political Interference in Coronavirus Data, Texas Election Lawsuit, and State Officials’ Voter-Fraud Allegations

December 15, 2020
See the latest in our investigation into attempts to overturn election results and efforts to meddle with pandemic-related scientific work.

News Roundup: Lessons from Election Week

November 6, 2020
While Americans have waited days for the results to become clear, certain truths about the threats to Americans’ voting rights were put into stark relief.

Investigations Update: The White House Outbreak, the Administration’s Naturalization Policy, and Texas’ Ballot Drop Boxes

October 6, 2020
See the latest in our investigations into the administration’s immigration policy, absentee voting requirements, and voter suppression in the states.

News Roundup: Whose Stockpile, and Which States?

April 3, 2020
It shouldn’t be surprising that the president, who downplayed the crisis until just a few weeks ago, is once again avoiding taking responsibility.

News Roundup: Transparency and Oversight Are More Important Than Ever

March 27, 2020
During ordinary times, government transparency maintains a functioning democracy. But during the coronavirus outbreak, it can also save lives.

News Roundup: Testing, Messaging and Missed Chances

March 20, 2020
The Trump administration’s early mismanagement of the novel coronavirus outbreak has put thousands of lives in danger.

Three Years of American Oversight

March 19, 2020
These are anxious and uncertain times. But as American Oversight marks its third anniversary, our work to expose corruption, self-dealing and other misconduct continues.

Floridians with Prior Felonies Need to Pay Fines Before Voting — But Documents Reveal the State Can’t Properly Track What They Owe

March 17, 2020
Most formerly incarcerated Floridians will not be able to cast their votes this Tuesday. 

News Roundup: The Evidence Continues to Mount

January 17, 2020
No matter how much the administration stonewalls, new evidence in the Ukraine investigation continues to emerge. 

News Roundup: Presidential War Powers and New Impeachment Documents

January 10, 2020
A lot has happened during the first week of 2020 — including the release of new Ukraine-related documents.

American Oversight’s Investigation into the Restoration of Voting Rights in Florida

December 23, 2019
We launched our State Accountability Project in March with the goal of shedding light on voter suppression and election issues. Here's a look at what we've discovered so far in Florida.
Show all updates

Related Documents

March 18, 2021

Records Request to Florida Division of Emergency Management Regarding Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution to Wealthy and Politically Connected Communities

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March 18, 2021

Records Request to Monroe County, Fla., Regarding Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution

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December 22, 2020

Records Released by the FL Governor in Response to Request for Emails Regarding Mike Bloomberg’s Donation to Florida Fines and Fees Fund

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October 9, 2020

Florida Department of State Emails Regarding the Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force

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October 9, 2020

Miami-Dade County, Fla., Communications Related to Implementing FL SB 70066

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October 9, 2020

Records Request to Florida Attorney General Seeking Emails Regarding Mike Bloomberg’s Donation to Florida Fines and Fees Fund

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October 9, 2020

Records Request to Florida Governor Seeking Emails Regarding Mike Bloomberg’s Donation to Florida Fines and Fees Fund

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October 9, 2020

Records Request to Fla. Secretary of State Seeking Emails Regarding Mike Bloomberg’s Donation to Florida Fines and Fees Fund

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August 17, 2020

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July 1, 2020

Miami-Dade County, Fla., Supervisor of Elections’ Communications with PILF

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Agency Record
June 6, 2020

Broward County, Fla., Supervisor of Elections Communications with External Groups

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Agency Record
May 29, 2020

PRR to Florida House of Representatives Seeking Communications Regarding Safe Election Procedures

Florida House of Representatives
FOIA Request
April 27, 2020

Gadsden County, Florida, Supervisor of Elections Communications with Conservative Activists

Florida - Gadsden County
FOIA Request
April 26, 2020

Florida Senate Records Regarding Emails with Lobbyist David Ramba

Florida Senate
Agency Record
April 21, 2020

No Records Response from the Jackson County, Florida Supervisor of Elections for Communications with Judicial Watch, ACRU, or PILF

Florida - Jackson County
Agency Reply
April 20, 2020

Osceola County, Florida, Supervisor of Elections Communications with Conservative Activists

Florida - Osceola County
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April 7, 2020

Florida Office of the Governor Communications with Lobbyist David Ramba

Florida Office of the Governor
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March 30, 2020

No Records Response from the Hendry County, Florida, Supervisor of Elections Regarding Communications with Representatives of Judicial Watch and Other Groups

Florida - Hendry County
Agency Reply
March 27, 2020

PRR to the Broward County Supervisor of Elections Seeking Communications with Conservative Activists

Florida - Broward County
FOIA Request
March 27, 2020

PRR to the Leon County Supervisor of Elections Seeking Communications with Conservative Activists

Florida - Leon County
FOIA Request
March 27, 2020

PRR to the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Seeking Communications with Conservative Activists

Florida - Miami-Dade County
FOIA Request
March 27, 2020

PRR to the Duval County Supervisor of Elections Seeking Communications with Conservative Activists

Florida - Duval County
FOIA Request
March 27, 2020

PRR to the Hendry County Supervisor of Elections Seeking Communications with Conservative Activists

Florida - Hendry County
FOIA Request
March 27, 2020

PRR to the Gadsden County Supervisor of Elections Seeking Communications with Conservative Activists

Florida - Gadsden County
FOIA Request
March 27, 2020

PRR to the Jackson County Supervisor of Elections Seeking Communications with Conservative Activists

Florida - Jackson County
FOIA Request
March 27, 2020

PRR to the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Seeking Communications with Conservative Activists

Florida - Osceola County
FOIA Request
March 23, 2020

PRR to Florida Governor Seeking Communications with Public Interest Legal Foundation and the Honest Elections Project

Florida Office of the Governor
FOIA Request
March 23, 2020

PRR to Florida Department of State Seeking Communications with Public Interest Legal Foundation and the Honest Elections Project

Florida Department of State
FOIA Request
March 18, 2020

Florida Senate Records of Sen. Gruters’ and Sen Brandes’ Communications about Voter Registration Maintenance

Florida Senate
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March 16, 2020

Florida Senate Records of Emails with Lobbyist David Ramba

Florida Senate
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March 10, 2020

Florida House of Representatives Records Regarding Communications with David Ramba

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March 3, 2020

Broward County, Fla., Communications Related to Implementing FL SB 7066

Florida - Broward County
Agency Record
March 2, 2020

Florida Department of State Records in Response to Request for Guidances on H.B. 281

Florida Department of State
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February 27, 2020

Florida Public Records Request Seeking Emails Between Florida Office of the Governor and David Ramba

Florida Office of the Governor
FOIA Request
February 27, 2020

Florida Public Records Request Seeking Emails Between Florida Senators and David Ramba

Florida Senate
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February 27, 2020

Florida Public Records Request Seeking Emails Between Florida Representatives and David Ramba

Florida House of Representatives
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January 20, 2020

Nassau County, Florida, Records Regarding Voter a Protection Think Tank

Florida - Nassau County
Agency Record
January 20, 2020

Nassau County, Florida, Supervisor of Elections Emails with Members of the Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force

Florida - Nassau County
FOIA Request
January 14, 2020

Florida Governor’s Office Regarding the Restoration of Voting Rights Work Group

Florida Office of the Governor
Agency Record
January 7, 2020

Records from Leon County, Florida, Related to Voter Protection Think Tank

Florida - Leon County
Agency Record
January 3, 2020

Hernando County, Florida, Records of Emails Between Clerk and Members of the Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force

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Agency Record
December 30, 2019

Okaloosa County, Florida, Records of Emails with Members of the Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force

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Agency Record
December 26, 2019

Florida Commission on Offender Review Records Regarding Applications for the Restoration of Civil Rights

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December 26, 2019

Martin County, Florida, Records of Emails Regarding the Implementation of Florida Amendment 4

Florida - Martin County
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December 20, 2019

PRR to Seminole County, Florida, Supervisor of Elections for Emails Between Members of the Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force

Florida - Seminole County
FOIA Request
December 20, 2019

PRR to Nassau County, Florida, Supervisor of Elections for Emails with Members of the Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force

Florida - Nassau County
FOIA Request
December 20, 2019

PRR to Okaloosa County, Florida, for Emails Between Members of the Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force

Florida - Okaloosa County
FOIA Request
December 20, 2019

PRR to Hernando County, Florida, Clerk for Emails Between Members of the Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force

Florida - Hernando County
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December 20, 2019

PRR to Florida Department of Corrections for Emails Between Members of the Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force

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December 20, 2019

PRR to Florida Department of Law Enforcement for Emails Between Members of the Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force

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December 20, 2019

PRR to Florida Department of State Seeking Emails for Members of the Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force

Florida Department of State
FOIA Request
December 11, 2019

Broward County, Florida, Records Regarding Registrations and Election System Maintenance

Florida - Broward County
Agency Record
November 12, 2019

Public Records Request to the Florida Office of Executive Clemency Seeking Records Regarding Applications for the Restoration of Civil Rights

Florida Commission on Offender Review
FOIA Request
November 8, 2019

Public Records Request to Orange County in Florida Seeking Emails with Officials Involved in Implementing Florida Amendment 4

Florida - Orange County
FOIA Request
November 8, 2019

Public Records Request to Clay County in Florida Seeking Emails with Officials Involved in Implementing Florida Amendment 4

Florida - Clay County
FOIA Request
November 8, 2019

Public Records Request to Pinellas County in Florida Seeking Emails with Officials Involved in Implementing Florida Amendment 4

Florida - Pinellas County
FOIA Request
October 23, 2019

Leon County, Florida, Election-Related Emails Received From Florida Director of Elections Maria Matthews

Florida - Leon County
Agency Record
October 1, 2019

Public Records Request to Florida DOC Seeking Records Related to Voting Rights Restoration

Florida Department of Corrections
FOIA Request
September 13, 2019

Hillsborough County, Florida, Records Concerning the Implementation of FL SB 7066

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Agency Record
September 13, 2019

Leon County, Florida, Records Regarding the Implementation of FL SB 7066

Florida - Leon County
Agency Record
September 12, 2019

Public Records Request to Florida Department of State Seeking Emails to County Supervisors of Elections Regarding Voting Rights Restoration

Florida Department of State
FOIA Request
September 9, 2019

Duval, Fla., Records Regarding County Clerk’s Role in Implementing FL SB 7066

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August 29, 2019

Public Records Request to Governor’s Office Seeking Records Related to the Restoration of Voting Rights Work Group

Florida Office of the Governor
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August 29, 2019

Public Records Request to Florida’s Department of State Seeking Records Related to the Restoration of Voting Rights Work Group

Florida Department of State
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Palm Beach County Clerk’s Office Seeking Records Reflecting the Implementation of FL SB 7066

Florida - Palm Beach County
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Palm Beach County Clerk’s Office Seeking Email Communications Related FL SB 7066

Florida - Palm Beach County
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Broward County Clerk’s Office Seeking Records Reflecting Its Role in Implementing FL SB 7066 

Florida - Broward County
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Broward County Clerk’s Office Seeking Email Communications Related to Implementing FL SB 7066

Florida - Broward County
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Miami-Dade County Clerk’s Office Seeking Records Reflecting Its Role in Implementing FL SB 7066 

Florida - Miami-Dade County
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Miami-Dade County Clerk’s Office Seeking Seeking Email Communications Related to Implementing FL SB 7066

Florida - Miami-Dade County
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Hillsborough County Clerk’s Office Seeking Records Reflecting Its Role in Implementing FL SB 7066 

Florida - Hillsborough County
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Hillsborough County Clerk’s Office Seeking Email Communications Related to Implementing FL SB 7066

Florida - Hillsborough County
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Duval County Clerk’s Office Seeking Records Reflecting Its Role in Implementing FL SB 7066 

Florida - Duval County
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Duval County Clerk’s Office Seeking Email Communications Related to Implementing FL SB 7066

Florida - Duval County
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Leon County Clerk’s Office Seeking Records Reflecting Its Role in Implementing FL SB 7066 

Florida - Leon County
FOIA Request
August 21, 2019

Public Records Request to Leon County Clerk’s Office Seeking Seeking Email Communications Related to Implementing FL SB 7066

Florida - Leon County
FOIA Request
July 3, 2019

Public Records Request to Florida SOS Regarding Requirements to Pay Fines Before Voting

Florida Department of State
FOIA Request
April 26, 2019

Public Records Request to Florida House of Representatives Seeking Communications Between Rep. James Grant and Voter Fraud Activists

Florida House of Representatives
FOIA Request
April 26, 2019

Public Records Request to Florida House of Representatives Seeking Communications Between Rep. James Grant and State Officials

Florida House of Representatives
FOIA Request
April 26, 2019

Public Records Request to Florida House of Representatives Seeking Elections-Related Communications with State Officials

Florida House of Representatives
FOIA Request