CIVIL RIGHTS RESTORATION - AMENDMENT 4

What is Amendment 4?

On November 6, 2018, Florida voters passed Amendment 4 - Voting Rights Restoration.
Ballot summary: This amendment restores the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation. The amendment would not apply to those convicted of murder or sexual offenses, who would continue to be permanently barred from voting unless the Governor and Cabinet vote to restore their voting rights on a case by case basis.

What does the passage of Amendment 4 mean for convicted felons who were previously deemed ineligible to register to vote or never registered to vote?

Effective January 8, 2019, convicted felons who meet the requirements of Amendment 4 (those who have completed all terms of their sentence, including parole and probation, and were not convicted of murder or sexual offenses) are eligible to register to vote. 

How does someone know if their voting rights have been restored?

It is the applicant’s responsibility to affirm that all information submitted on the voter registration application is true [Florida Statute 97.051, and 97.053(5)(a)8].
The following Florida agencies have resources to assist applicants in verifying sentencing obligations:

If a voter was removed from the voter roll due to a felony conviction, will he/she be automatically re-registered to vote?

No. Newly eligible voters who have previously been removed from the voter rolls due to a felony conviction must re-register. State law requires all voters to be registered at least 29 days before an election.

Please visit our How to Register to Vote Page for more information on how to complete and submit your voter registration application.

After an applicant applies to register to vote, what happens next?

Within a few weeks of registering, the applicant should receive a Voter Information Card in the mail. If not received, please contact the Supervisor of Elections office to verify your address. Once registered, it is the responsibility of the voter to keep their registration up to date. 

Please visit our Update My Voter Information Page for more information on updating your voter registration information.

 

 

If you do not believe you have met the requirements of Amendment 4, you may search or apply for your Restoration of Civil Rights certificate through the Florida Commission on Offender Review, Office of Executive Clemency:  

Online:  Florida Commission Offender Review Website

Phone:  1(800) 435-8286 or (850) 488-2952 Fax: (850) 488-0695 

Mail:  4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399 

State of Florida Application for Clemency