July 15, 2004
State must do more for felons
Once again, the state is sued to force it to do the bare minimum required by law to assist someone who is attempting to reintegrate into society. Once again, the state loses, but no one’s holding their breath waiting for Jeb! to actually start complying with another court order regarding Florida’s racist disenfranchisement rules. (Actually, to be fair, Jeb! may well comply promptly with this particular ruling, since it comes way too late to help anyone who wants to vote in this year’s election.)
The unanimous ruling by the 1st District Court of Appeal said state prison officials must provide the forms felons need to get their voting rights back and help fill them out.The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, the Florida Justice Institute and Florida Legal Services on behalf of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators, several organizations that assist ex-felons and felons.
"The question for the governor now is whether the state will stubbornly insist on maintaining its unjust and archaic system of lifetime disenfranchisement," said Howard Simon, ACLU Florida director.
Florida is one of seven states that do not automatically restore voting rights to felons who have served their sentences. They must apply to the Board of Executive Clemency, comprising the governor and Cabinet.
The state's executive clemency laws have remained virtually unchanged since 1868, when lawmakers sought to deter ex-slaves from voting.
Because if we don’t illogically and unjustly punish people forever, then the terrorists win.
Posted by Norwood at July 15, 2004 06:40 AM