Broward Commissioners support effort to restore voting rights to convicted felons
BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Broward County is officially on the record in support of the “Say Yes to 2nd Chances” project and the principles behind the proposed constitutional Voting Restoration Amendment to the Florida Constitution.
Broward Mayor Barbara Sharief brought forward a resolution supporting the principles which would, with limited exceptions, restore the voting rights of citizens convicted of a felony upon completion of sentence, parole and probation. The resolution was unanimously passed by the Commission.
Commissioners also expressed opposition to any efforts, legislative or otherwise, to restrict voting rights in general with the exception of those convicted of murder or sexual offenses.
“Florida citizens who have committed crimes and successfully completed the terms of their sentence should have their right to vote restored. Florida is one of a few states in the country that does not allow this to happen and I believe that the right to vote is at the fundamental core of democracy. If a person has paid their debt to society, their right to vote should be restored,” said Mayor Sharief. It’s estimated that nearly 1.5 million Floridians are prohibited from voting because of a prior felony conviction. The Sentencing Project, a research and advocacy center, reports that more than one in five African Americans in the State of Florida are banned from voting due to felony convictions.
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