Felon Restoration Information

WHAT IS VOTING RESTORATION - AMENDMENT 4?

Florida voters passed Voting Restoration - Amendment 4 on November 6, 2018.

The amendment restores 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.

Standards Governing Eligibility to Vote After a Felony Conviction PDF of Standards Governing Eligibility to Vote After a Felony Conviction

 Division of Elections Frequently Asked Questions


REQUEST FOR ADVISORY OPINION REGARDING FELONY CONVICTION

Felony Conviction and Florida Voting Rights Overview 

You lose the right to vote in Florida when you are convicted of a felony in Florida.

  • A misdemeanor conviction does not cause a loss of voting rights.
  • “Adjudication withheld” is not a conviction and does not cause a loss of voting rights.

For most convictions, your right to vote is restored once you have completed all terms of your sentence. This includes:

  • Prison or jail time
  • Parole, probation, or other forms of supervision
  • Payment of the total amount of all fines, fees, costs, and restitution ordered as part of the felony sentence.

For purposes of regaining the right to vote, any interest or fees received after your sentence do not need to paid.

  • If you are convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense in a Florida court, your right to vote is not automatically restored upon completion of sentence. It can only be restored by the Florida Board of Executive Clemency.
  • A felony conviction in another state causes a loss of voting rights in Florida only if the conviction would cause a loss of voting rights in that state.

Where Can I Learn How Much I Have to Pay Before my Rights Are Restored?

You can ask for information about how much you may still owe. Complete the advisory form and send it to the Florida Department of State, Division of Elections. Include as much information as possible so that you will receive an accurate answer. You can submit the form by mail, email, or hand-delivery. If you have questions, contact the Division of Elections.

Phone Number: (850) 245-6200
Email Address: DivElections@dos.myflorida.com
Mailing Address: Room 316, R. A. Gray Building
                            500 South Bronough Street
                            Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250

Felon Advisory Form 

 


WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CONVICTED FELONS WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY DEEMED INELIGIBLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE?

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. Applicants that may be unsure of their voting rights status should contact the County Clerk of the Court where they were sentenced, or the Florida Department of Corrections where supervised or incarcerated, or the Florida Commission on Offender Review - Office of Executive Clemency before they submit an application.

Duval County Clerk of Courts
Web Site: Duval County Clerk of Courts
(904) 255-2000

Downtown Courthouse
501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Beaches Branch
1543 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach
8:00 am - 4:30 pm


Florida Commission on Offender Review, Office of Executive Clemency
4070 Esplanade Way 
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2450
Phone: (850) 488-2952 Toll free: (850) 435-8286
Fax: (850) 488-0695
Email: Clemencyweb@fpc.state.fl.us
Website: www.fcor.state.fl.us

The Florida Commission on Offender Review's website offers a Civil Rights Restoration Search for its database so you can determine whether or not your rights have been restored. Be sure to search under all variations of your name, including nicknames.

Florida Department of Corrections
(850) 488-5021
Website: www.dc.state.fl.us


IF A VOTER WAS REMOVED FROM THE VOTER ROLL DUE TO A FELONY CONVICTION, WILL HE/SHE BE AUTOMATICALLY RE-REGISTERED TO VOTE?

No, an applicant must re-register to vote. State law requires all voters to be registered at least 29 days before an election.

You may register to vote:

  • at the Supervisor of Elections office at 105 East Monroe Street
  • online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov (requires a Florida Driver's License or Florida ID)

at a voter registration agency (Voter Registration Agencies)


IF AN APPLICANT REGISTERED TO VOTE, WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

The applicant should watch for a new voter information card from our office within a few weeks of registering. If a card is not received, please contact our office to ensure we have your correct address.

Once registered, voters need to keep registration information (signature, name, address and political party affiliation) up to date. Voters can update their information using the online voter registration or calling (904) 255-8683.