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Although last nights midterm elections didn’t turn out the way some had hoped, Florida voters made one major move that could have lasting impacts on elections to come. In Florida, Amendment 4 restored voting rights to over 1 million people in the state who were previously convicted of felonies.
According to the New York Times, “The amendment, which passes Tuesday night with 64% of the vote, restores voting rights for people convicted of felonies as long as they have completed their sentences, though it excludes people convicted of murder or felony sex offenses. In 2016, more than 418,000 black people, or 17.9 percent of potential black voters in Florida couldn’t vote due to their past felony convictions, according to Vox.”
On in Florida, Kentucky, and Iowa are former felons barred from voting even after they have completed their sentences. Even after Amendment 4, advocates say there is still more work ahead. They are ready for 2020.
Source: New York Dialy News
Written By: Fantasia Harvey