Bill Text: FL S0538 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Voting Rights of Felons

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-07 - Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration [S0538 Detail]

Download: Florida-2011-S0538-Introduced.html

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       Florida Senate - 2011                                    SJR 538
       
       
       
       By Senator Joyner
       
       
       
       
       18-00289A-11                                           2011538__
    1                       Senate Joint Resolution                     
    2         A joint resolution proposing an amendment to Section 4
    3         of Article VI of the State Constitution to disqualify
    4         a person who is convicted of a felony from voting only
    5         until completion of all sentences imposed and
    6         expiration or completion of all conditions of
    7         supervision, if any.
    8  
    9  Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   10  
   11         That the following amendment to Section 4 of Article VI of
   12  the State Constitution is agreed to and shall be submitted to
   13  the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the next
   14  general election or at an earlier special election specifically
   15  authorized by law for that purpose:
   16                             ARTICLE VI                            
   17                       SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS                      
   18         SECTION 4. Disqualifications.—
   19         (a)(1) A No person convicted of a felony, or adjudicated in
   20  this or any other state to be mentally incompetent is not, shall
   21  be qualified to vote or hold office until restoration of civil
   22  rights or removal of disability.
   23         (2) A person may not be disqualified from voting due to a
   24  felony conviction upon completion of all sentences imposed and
   25  expiration or completion of all conditions of supervision, if
   26  any, for the felony.
   27         (b) A No person may not appear on the ballot for re
   28  election to any of the following offices:
   29         (1) Florida representative,
   30         (2) Florida senator,
   31         (3) Florida Lieutenant governor,
   32         (4) any office of the Florida cabinet,
   33         (5) U.S. Representative from Florida, or
   34         (6) U.S. Senator from Florida
   35  
   36  if, by the end of the current term of office, the person will
   37  have served (or, but for resignation, would have served) in that
   38  office for eight consecutive years.
   39         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be
   40  placed on the ballot:
   41                      CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT                     
   42                        ARTICLE VI, SECTION 4                      
   43         VOTING RIGHTS OF FELONS.—The State Constitution currently
   44  prohibits a person who was convicted of a felony from voting
   45  until the person’s civil rights are restored. This amendment
   46  will prohibit a person convicted of a felony from voting only
   47  until completion of all sentences imposed and expiration or
   48  completion of all conditions of supervision, if any, for the
   49  felony conviction.