Well, it's now obvious how desperate the Dems are.  They ran out of law abiding citizens, so they're now scraping for felons.  This is incredible to behold.  I feel like I'm watching one of those skydiving videos where the camera guy's chute doesn't open.

https://conservativehardliner.com/soros-backed-groups-working-restore-voting-rights-14-million-felons-key-battleground-state-florida

States do not have the Right to overrule a Federal law found in the Constitution, it really is that simple.
According to the Constitution, they may be allowed to vote for local issues that are not related to Federal elections.

The US Constitution stated in Amendment XIV, ratified by the states in 1868:

"But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State."


https://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am14.html

The thing about felons voting is:

A lot of them get locked up again before they can vote

A lot of them kill each other before they can vote

Quote from: Billy's bayonet on April 23, 2019, 02:40:20 PM
The thing about felons voting is:

A lot of them get locked up again before they can vote

A lot of them kill each other before they can vote

Dead people vote overwhelmingly for Democrats.... especially dead felons!

The GOP in the state legislature seem to be going along with this.  They probably are afraid of the money and the mob.  The smart move would be for the GOP to attach an amendment for the restoration of the right of ex-felons to bear arms!  This would fracture the Left's support for this bill. Poison Pills Work! 

Quote from: wally on April 24, 2019, 05:39:39 AM
The GOP in the state legislature seem to be going along with this.  They probably are afraid of the money and the mob.  The smart move would be for the GOP to attach an amendment for the restoration of the right of ex-felons to bear arms!  This would fracture the Left's support for this bill. Poison Pills Work! 

Ohhh, that's good!

Quote from: wally on April 24, 2019, 05:39:39 AM
The GOP in the state legislature seem to be going along with this.  They probably are afraid of the money and the mob.  The smart move would be for the GOP to attach an amendment for the restoration of the right of ex-felons to bear arms!  This would fracture the Left's support for this bill. Poison Pills Work! 

The voting bill was already passed by Florida voters. The republican is trying to define what it means by "after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation."

Quote from: s3779m on April 24, 2019, 07:00:04 AM
The voting bill was already passed by Florida voters. The republican is trying to define what it means by "after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation."

Is the restoration of rights still a function of the executive branch and under pardons and parole as a power the Governor has?  In other words is this law simply creating an administrative process to make recommendations to the Governor or is it binding?

Governors have been able to restore the civil rights of individuals, just as they have the power to pardon and commute sentences.  It used to be done with individual cases, but there has been a movement to do it en masse, without a case by case review.

Quote from: wally on April 24, 2019, 07:45:27 AM
Is the restoration of rights still a function of the executive branch and under pardons and parole as a power the Governor has?  In other words is this law simply creating an administrative process to make recommendations to the Governor or is it binding?

Governors have been able to restore the civil rights of individuals, just as they have the power to pardon and commute sentences.  It used to be done with individual cases, but there has been a movement to do it en masse, without a case by case review.

If I understand what just passed in Florida, the governor no longer needs to restore voting rights, the citizens voted to do just that. Here is a list of other states that allow it.: States That Restore Voting Rights to People Convicted of Felonies After Completion of Sentence

These states restore voting rights to those convicted of felony crimes only after they have completed their entire sentences including prison term, parole, and probation, among other certain requirements.

    Alaska
    Arizona
    Arkansas
    California
    Colorado
    Connecticut
    Delaware
    Florida
    Georgia
    Idaho
    Kansas
    Louisiana
    Minnesota
    Missouri
    Nebraska
    Nevada
    New Jersey
    New Mexico
    New York
    North Carolina
    Oklahoma
    South Carolina
    South Dakota
    Tennessee
    Texas
    Utah
    Washington
    West Virginia
    Wisconsin
    Wyoming

Some of these states have instituted a waiting period of several years before felons who have completed their sentences can apply to vote again.
https://www.thoughtco.com/where-felons-can-and-cannot-vote-3367689

What do you know. A known criminal wanting to assist known criminals.

If it's after the completion of their sentence including any period of parole and probation, I don't see any problem. Indeed, if they've complete all those prerequisites; I'd even expunge their record.

Quote from: mdgiles on April 24, 2019, 10:12:24 AM
If it's after the completion of their sentence including any period of parole and probation, I don't see any problem. Indeed, if they've complete all those prerequisites; I'd even expunge their record.

I agree with the restoration of voting rights at the end of their parole.  I don't agree with expunging criminal records. This is due to the high rate of ex-felons who re-offend.  You can't fix stupid.  In any society there will be an element of people who will commit crimes and victimize others who's only regard for the law is they hope not to get caught.  Punishments need to be increasingly severe as career criminals demonstrate they are not fit to live among decent people in our society.  The criminal records of individuals show these individuals are not the same as someone who just makes a mistake.

Quote from: wally on April 24, 2019, 11:34:42 AM
I agree with the restoration of voting rights at the end of their parole.  I don't agree with expunging criminal records. This is due to the high rate of ex-felons who re-offend.  You can't fix stupid.  In any society there will be an element of people who will commit crimes and victimize others who's only regard for the law is they hope not to get caught.  Punishments need to be increasingly severe as career criminals demonstrate they are not fit to live among decent people in our society.  The criminal records of individuals show these individuals are not the same as someone who just makes a mistake.

I think I'm sort of in the middle.  If we were to have an expunging of records, it can't be violent offenses, they'd have to serve their time, and no violations for a long duration of time, like 20 years.  If you did time in your 20s and 30s, and have been clean up to your 50s and on, then I don't see why not.

In any case, no voting or expungment for violent offenses, rape, child crimes, etc., period.

As you can see in s3779m list most states already have some form of restoring voting rights to convicted felons. The majority of law abiding citizens don't know this and the democrats are waving that banner like it's a shinny new toy for everyone to play with. Which in return it will get the attention of the law abiding citizens and have them thinking what the hell is wrong with these fools that want murders, rapist, child molesters, terrorist, etc, etc voting.

Like Supsalemgr stated in another post....PLEASE stay out of the democrat's way and let them run with this all the way to the bank.

Quote from: taxed on April 24, 2019, 12:41:55 PM
I think I'm sort of in the middle.  If we were to have an expunging of records, it can't be violent offenses, they'd have to serve their time, and no violations for a long duration of time, like 20 years.  If you did time in your 20s and 30s, and have been clean up to your 50s and on, then I don't see why not.

In any case, no voting or expungment for violent offenses, rape, child crimes, etc., period.

I would agree with you about misdemeanor convictions and even most felonies for youthful offenders.  Adults who commit felonies which are serious enough to not be plea bargained down to a lesser offense need to be identifiable.

If the discussion is about whether such records ought to be made public, that's an entirely different discussion from having one's record expunged, as if it never happened.