Q&A: Felon voter list

By Times Staff Writer
Published July 3, 2004

Are there names that should not be on the list?

Yes. The Times found at least two cases that appear to be mistaken identity, and about 2,000 may not be able to be easily verified as felons without extensive research. What about voters who are listed as potential felons but have won clemency?

More than 2,000 names on the list of potential felons match records of people who have won clemency and should be allowed to vote. State elections officials say the figure is misleading because several hundred were registered voters before they were convicted of felonies and then won clemency. Those people have to reregister to vote.

Are voters on this list automatically removed from the voter rolls?

No. County election officials are supposed to use this list as a starting point and verify those are names of felons before removing them. They will notify everyone on the list by letter.

How difficult will the process be for election supervisors?

Very difficult. Researching some cases would require trips to the county courthouse or trips to other counties where the crimes were committed. Local supervisors say they will not remove anyone from the voter rolls who cannot be confirmed as a felon.

What if someone committed a felony outside Florida?

Florida is one of six states that prevents felons from voting, and felons who move here from other states are not on this list and are not prevented from voting.

[Last modified July 3, 2004, 01:00:34]