Federal Judge Makes a Major Ruling on Voting Rights

A federal judge in Florida recently made a momentous decision that may cause a ripple effect as election season looms closer. The judge recently ruled unconstitutional a state law mandating felons to pay any outstanding court fines and fees they may have before they would be allowed to vote. The decision brings countless felons who have completed all prison terms including probation and parole closer to having their right to vote restored.

The case at the center of the decision is the result of a 2018 constitutional amendment by Florida voters that received strong approval. The amendment overturned a law more than 100 years old which permanently disenfranchised people that may have been convicted of a felony. Supporters embraced the result as the nation’s biggest expansion of the right to vote in years. However, Florida’s governor signed a bill seven months later confining the law solely to individuals who had paid the debt(s) they owed to the court.

This update is published by The Law Offices of Mark Eiglarsh, a F ort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer. Areas of practice include criminal defense, white collar crimes, federal and state drug crimes, fraud, DUI, sex crimes, domestic violence, and more. With over two decades of experience, Mark is committed to obtaining the best possible outcome for his valued clients under difficult circumstances. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call 954-500-0003 in Broward or 305-674-0003 in Miami.

This information is provided for educational or informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice.