https://cdn.talkingpointsmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/GettyImages-494316871-804x535.jpg
UNITED STATES - MAY 29: Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., speaks with a fellow committee member before the start of the House Judiciary Committee hearing on "Oversight of the United States Department of Homeland Security" o... UNITED STATES - MAY 29: Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., speaks with a fellow committee member before the start of the House Judiciary Committee hearing on "Oversight of the United States Department of Homeland Security" on Thursday, May 29, 2014. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) MORE LESS

DeSantis To Appeal Ruling Striking Down Florida’s So-Called Felon ‘Poll Tax’ Law

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) said Tuesday that he’ll appeal a federal judge’s decision striking down a Florida GOP law that restricted the voting rights of ex-felons.

“It’ll go to the 11th Circuit, and we’ll see what happens there,” DeSantis told reporters, according to the Orlando Sentinel, referring to the federal appellate circuit that covers Florida.

The comments were not surprising given that Florida has already taken aggressive actions to defend the 2019 law. The law was passed after voters approved a 2018 constitutional amendment allowing certain ex-felons to regain their right to vote.

The 2019 law added the requirement that those ex-felons pay back all court fines and fees before their franchise is restored. On Sunday, a Tallahassee-based federal judge struck down the law, calling it an “unconstitutional pay-to-vote system.”

His ruling specifically blocked enforcement of the law against ex-felons who were unable to pay off their legal obligations.

The judge, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, said that much of his ruling was based on what the 11th Circuit had already said in preliminary orders in the case. Indeed, the appeals court has largely backed Hinkle’s approach when Florida appealed issues that arose earlier in the case.

Introducing
The TPM Journalism Fund: A New Way To Support TPM
We're launching the TPM Journalism Fund as an additional way for readers and members to support TPM. Every dollar contributed goes toward:

CONTRIBUTE Learn More
Are you experiencing financial hardship?
Apply for a free community-supported membership
Are you a student?
Apply for a free student membership