Florida: Making Up for Lost Time; Still Some Work to Do When he served as attorney general, Governor Charlie Crist investigated the murder of a Florida civil rights activist and his wife whose home was bombed as a result of their work in registering black voters in the 1950s. Though Crist was unable to bring justice to the case, according to the Florida Times-Union he has followed in the late activist's footsteps in reforming a 138-year-old policy that banned voting rights for ex-offenders. "That law, which was passed in 1868 and re-enacted 100 years later, had racist origins. Enacted after the Civil War, it bolstered the 'black codes,' which called for harsh punishments for vagrancy and other minor transgressions that newly freed slaves were likely to get caught up in," writes columnist Tonyaa Weathersbee. Though some formerly incarcerated individuals may first be concerned with garnering a job and re- applying for proper identification, voting rights are still a concern - and a right due them, Newsweek's Ellis Cose states in his coverage of the new rules. Crist's office reported that approximately 80 percent the state's criminal files involve nonviolent offenses that would be eligible for automatic restoration, a St. Peterburg Times opinion editorial reported. Fifteen percent (violent offenses) would be subject to "mid-level scrutiny" and the remaining five percent (murder and sex offenses) would still require a full-background investigation and hearing before the clemency board. Mark Schlakman's op-ed asserted that despite the new ruling, disenfranchisement continues in the state as a result of various stipulations, including the requirement of restitution payment, the inclusion of occupational licenses being revoked along with civil rights, and the fact that 20 percent of this community would remain disenfranchised. "The task is not complete," Schlakman stated. For the ACLU's similar opinion on the board's decision, click here. - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information: Email: [email protected] web: http://www.sentencingproject.org