A war of words has broken out over the Amendment 4 bill signed into law Friday by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which requires former felons to pay off all fines and fees included as part of their sentence before their right to vote is restored.
Democrats and other bill opponents have said the requirement is “poll tax” and have launched federal lawsuits against it, while Republicans and bill supporters say fines and restitution was always considered part of a sentence.
But Desmond Meade, executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, said at a news conference Tuesday his organization was steering clear of the controversy – as well as the three lawsuits filed by groups including the ACLU seeking to stop the restrictions – and “focusing on people right now.”
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