Federal judge rules Florida felons don't have to pay fines before registering to vote

A federal judge struck down a Florida law requiring felons in the state to pay all court fees and fines before voting.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled on Sunday that the law blocking those convicted of felonies from registering to vote until remaining fees are paid is unconstitutional, likening the requirement to a poll tax.

“The Twenty-Fourth Amendment precludes Florida from conditioning voting in federal elections on payment of these fees and costs,” Hinkle wrote. "And because the Supreme Court has held, in effect, that what the Twenty-Fourth Amendment prescribes for federal elections, the Equal Protection Clause requires for state elections, Florida also cannot condition voting in state elections on payment of these fees and costs."

During the 2018 midterm elections, Floridians voted to restore the voting rights of felons who have completed “all terms of their sentence including probation and parole," with the exception of those convicted of murder or sex crimes. Republicans in the state later passed a bill defining "all terms" to include fees and fines.

Activists filed a lawsuit challenging the law, arguing that it made it virtually impossible for some to register to vote either because of an inability to pay or because Florida has not notified them about how much they owe.

Hinkle did not side with plaintiffs who argued that the law was racially biased, but the judge ordered Florida to inform felons if they are eligible to vote or what they owe. His order also allows the state to automatically register felons if they are not notified within 21 days.

Sunday's ruling follows a similar ruling in February from a federal appeals court in the plaintiffs' favor.