Gov.-elect hints at Amend 4 delay
Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis threw a wrench into plans by felons to register to vote in January, leading Amendment 4 advocates to insist they will regain their rights Jan. 8 whether he and the Legislature acts or not.
Supporters of the amendment, which would restore voting rights to 1.4 million felons and passed with almost 65 percent of the vote in November, said Thursday the measure clearly states it will automatically become law on Jan. 8 without approval from the Legislature or governor.
But in an interview with the Palm Beach Post, DeSantis said the amendment should not take effect until “implementing language” is approved and signed.
“They’re going to be able to do that in March,” DeSantis told the Post. “There’s no way you can go through this session without implementing it.”
By that time, early voting and even Election Day will have begun for many municipal elections across Florida, including Tampa and Orange County cities such as Winter Park and Maitland.
Desmond Meade of Orlando, who founded the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and led the petition drive to get Amendment 4 on the ballot, said in a statement that “the language is clear and that this Amendment does not require enabling legislation.”
“Amendment 4 was and remains about people, not politics,” Meade said. “It is about people like the veteran in Tampa who is ready to vote this March in the mayor’s race, or the pastor in Jacksonville who has been waiting for years to do the same in her hometown.”
FRRC political director Neil Volz, a Republican, said the group looks forward to working with DeSantis and state officials.
But, Volz said, “at the same time, we will continue encouraging people from all over the state who are impacted by this Amendment to register to vote at their local supervisors of elections office on January 8th.”
Melba Pearson, the interim executive director of the ACLU of Florida, was even more blunt: “On January 8, Amendment 4 goes into effect. These are the facts.”
DeSantis’ comments came after county supervisors of elections said at an annual meeting this month that they weren’t getting guidance from the Florida Department of State as to how to begin implementing the new law.
Until then, there had not seemed to be any major opposition to the law kicking in Jan. 8.
On Nov. 29, GOP state House Speaker Jose Oliva had seemingly contradicted DeSantis, saying, “The idea that we would slow-walk or attempt to change an amendment to the constitution passed by the people of the state of Florida is inconsistent with our principles. The amendment is clear and the effective date is clear.”
After Thursday’s comments by DeSantis, Democratic Senate Leader Audrey Gibson said that, “As a self-proclaimed ‘constitutionalist,’ Gov.-elect DeSantis should know better.”
Democratic House Leader Kionne McGhee went further, saying on Twitter that his caucus will oppose any attempt by DeSantis to delay the Amendment.
“This is non-negotiable,” McGhee wrote.
A prospective voter incorrectly claiming on a registration form that his or her rights have been restored is a criminal offense, so confusion over the Jan. 8 date could have real consequences.
But Volz, a felon himself, insisted, “For those of us who have earned back our eligibility to vote, January 8th is going to be a celebration — one that has the support of both the Constitution and the people.”