Florida Constitutional Amendment 4: Registering to Vote
Florida voters approved Amendment 4 in the November 6, 2018 General Election, restoring voting rights to individuals with prior felony convictions who have completed their sentences, including parole and probation requirements. The terms of the constitutional amendment, which went into effect January 8, 2019, exclude anyone convicted of murder or a felony sex offense, unless the Governor and Cabinet vote to restore voting rights for those individuals.
How do I register to vote?
You may apply for voter registration by completing a Florida Voter Registration Application and submitting it to the Supervisor of Elections office. You can also submit an online application at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov or register to vote at the Tax Collector's office while getting a driver license or identification card. Applications are also available at public assistance offices, centers for independent living, offices serving persons with disabilities, public libraries and armed forces recruitment offices.
How do find out if I am eligible to vote under the terms of Amendment 4?
Individuals who have been convicted of a felony and are unsure if their sentences have been completed may find information on the website of the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where they were sentenced, or by contacting the Florida Department of Corrections where they were incarcerated and/or supervised. When registering to vote, individuals must complete a voter registration application, which includes an affirmation that if a person has been convicted of a felony, his or her right to vote has been restored.
Resources to help confirm Amendment 4 sentence completion obligations:
Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court: www.ManateeClerk.com or 941-749-1800
Florida Department of Corrections: www.dc.state.fl.us or 850-488-5021
Florida Commission on Offender Review: www.fcor.state.fl.us or 850-922-0000
How will the Supervisor of Elections handle voter registration applications in view of
Amendment 4?
As of January 8, 2019, the Supervisor of Elections office accepts and processes voter registration applications, as usual, including from individuals with prior felony convictions who are newly eligible to register pursuant to the terms of Amendment 4. Voters who have previously been removed from the voter rolls due to a felony conviction must re-register to vote.
For more information, please call 941-741-3823 or email Info@VoteManatee.gov.