Federal court rules Florida felons must pay off debts to state before voting

[mysteryowl]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/11/florida-felons-vote-debts-ruling-election

The 6-4 ruling from the US court of appeals for the 11th circuit came in a lawsuit challenging a 2019 Republican-backed law imposing the restrictions. After Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a 2018 measure – often called Amendment 4 – to automatically restore voting rights to people once they complete their criminal sentences, Republicans authored a new law requiring repayment of all fines, fees and court costs before those people could vote again. An estimated 774,000 people with felonies in Florida have outstanding debts, which many cannot afford to pay, and the challengers in the case argued the state was essentially conditioning the right to vote on a tax, which is unconstitutional.

“This ruling runs counter to the foundational principle that Americans do not have to pay to vote. The gravity of this decision cannot be overstated,” said Julie Ebenstein, one of the lead attorneys for the plaintiffs in the case from the American Civil Liberties Union.

[LittleGirl]

1. That's a poll tax. eom

[secondwind]

2. Yep.

[cyclonefence]

3. A friend of mine was jailed in Florida

about ten years ago (so things may have changed), and I wanted to put money into his account. He told me not to bother because before the money came to him, the state took out his daily maintenance fee for room and board. He was in the psych ward the entire time he was there (he was truly mentally ill) and left prison owing the state several hundred dollars. Because he now had a record, he had a hell of a time getting a job, and because of his illness he had been unable to trust people to take care of his assets while he was in prison, he came out a pauper although he went in a wealthy man.

[duforsure]

4. Where's a billionaire now?

That'll pay off these poll taxes, and intentionally applied restrictions to prevent them from voting now?

[mysteryowl]

6. Yes!

[Takket]

11. great question!!!!!!!

Mike Bloomberg! Paying off debts for what will surely be a net positive Dem votes in the state??? Great idea!

[Fullduplexxx]

5. Feds weighing in on a state matter?

[sl8]

9. State law can't violate the U.S. Constitution.

In this case, the 14th and 24th amendments (due process & poll taxes).

[Fullduplexxx]

10. Thank you for that ... nt

[mn9driver]

7. Ex felons with money can vote. Ex felons without money cannot vote.

How very American. Guess which party wealthy ex felons will tend to vote for.

[Klaralven]

8. Do non-felons also have to be current on their state and local taxes?

It would only seem fair.

Seems a safe bet that Trump is a tax delinquent in Florida.

[Takket]

12. so what about unpaid parking tickets?

people who owe child support?

back taxes?

what if you took a PPE loan but then laid people off? (Recall a PPE loan would only be forgiven if you kept all your staff)

This is not only bullshit because it is a poll tax, but it is also a violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment (you can't restriction one person from voting because they owe a government entity money, but not another...)