The History of Amendment Four

Every citizen should have a voice in the community they live in. 

In 2018, the citizens of Florida voted overwhelmingly to restore the voting rights of citizens with prior felony convictions who had served their full sentence, except for those who were convicted of murder or certain sexual offenses. Amendment 4, which went into effect in January of 2019, reversed a lifetime ban on voting rights for citizens with prior felony convictions and instantly restored the right to vote to 1.4 million individuals with prior felony convictions known as “returning citizens.” 

Prior to the passing of Amendment 4, the state of Florida had one of the most stringent disenfranchisement policies in the nation. It barred many contributing members of society from casting a vote due to a prior felony conviction. Florida was one of the few states in the nation in which the state's constitution permanently banned citizens with past felony convictions from registering to vote, unless a citizen was granted clemency by the governor.  

Senate Bill 7066

In July of 2019, Senate Bill 7066 was passed, which requires individuals convicted of a felony to pay any outstanding financial obligations before they can regain their right to vote. The bill indicates the Supervisor of Elections is required to make a final determination of whether an individual convicted of a felony offense is eligible to register to vote. 

Senate Bill 7066 subverts the intent of Amendment 4, as many disenfranchised individuals with prior felony convictions are either unaware of their outstanding fines or lack the means to pay these fines. Many individuals with prior felony convictions have outstanding legal financial obligations as result of their conviction; there are estimates that nearly 775,000 people fall within this category and subsequently would be precluded from exercising their right to vote. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have a felony conviction; can I register to vote?

A: Yes, if you are were not convicted of murder or certain felony sexual offenses and you have paid all outstanding financial obligations related to felony convictions. 

Q: I searched and could not determine if I have paid my fines, fees, and restitution. Am I eligible to register to vote? 

A: You should register to vote if you can affirm that you are eligible to vote. It is the Supervisor of Elections’ duty to determine if you are eligible to vote based on the completion of your sentence and payment of fines, fees, and restitution.  

Q: How can I determine if I have paid my fines, fees, and restitution, am I eligible to register to vote?

A: To determine if fines or fees are outstanding, check your case file online with the county court. The financial section should show the remaining balance for fees and fines associated with the case. If the number is not $0, there is still a pending balance to pay.

You can also contact the Pinellas County Clerk of Court at 727-464-7000 to determine any outstanding fees or fines related to felony convictions. 

To determine if restitution is owed to a victim contact Probation Services through the Department of Corrections.

The passage of Senate Bill 7066 requires when someone is released from incarceration or probation, their release documentation should include a checklist of all their remaining terms of sentence, including restitution, court fees, and fines.

Q: Are there organizations that can assist me with paying my fines and fees? 

A: Yes, the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition may be able to assist you with outstanding fines and fees related to a felony conviction.

Q: Must I pay fines for traffic violations and other misdemeanor convictions along with my felony conviction obligations to be eligible to vote? 

A: No. Only felony convictions matter for voting rights; therefore, other fines including misdemeanors do not need to be paid to register to vote.