Amendment 4: Felon Voting Rights

Florida voters approved Amendment 4 in the 2018 General Election, restoring voting rights for individuals with prior felony convictions who have completed their sentences, including prison or jail time, parole, probation, or other forms of supervision and payment of the total amount of all fines, fees, costs and restitution ordered as part of the felony sentence. The terms of the constitutional amendment, which went into effect in 2019, exclude anyone convicted of murder or a felony sex offense, unless the Governor and Cabinet vote to restore voting rights for those individuals. The eligibility requirements to restore voting rights are found in Florida law, section 4, Article VI, Florida Constitution, and section 98.0751, F.S.

 

It is the responsibility of the individual to determine if his or her voting rights have been restored. 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.

Individuals may also contact the Florida Commission on Offender Review (Office of Executive Clemency), or if an individual is still unsure about fines, fees, costs, and restitution, and the impact upon restoration of voting rights, he or she can ask for an advisory opinion from the Florida Division of Elections.

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.

Additional Resources
Individuals with prior felony convictions are urged to use the resources below to confirm all sentencing terms have been completed (and rights restored) before completing a voter registration application.

 

The elections office accepts and processes voter registration applications, as usual, including from individuals with prior felony convictions who are eligible to register pursuant to the terms of Amendment 4. Individuals who have previously been removed from the voter rolls due to a felony conviction and whose voting rights have since been restored need to re-apply to register to vote again.

 

You may apply for voter registration online or by completing a Florida Voter Registration Application (English/Español) and submitting it to the 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.

IMPORTANT: 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.

For more information, please call 941.861.8619 or email voterservices@sarasotavotes.gov.
Ron Turner, Supervisor of Elections, Sarasota County
EMAIL: rturner@sarasotavotes.gov • OFFICE HOURS: M-F, 8:30 AM - 5 PM • MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 4194 Sarasota, FL 34230-4194
SARASOTA OFFICE
Terrace Building
101 S. Washington Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34236

PHONE: (941) 861-8600
FAX: (941) 861-8609
ESPAÑOL: (833) 912-1316

VENICE OFFICE
Robert L. Anderson Administration Center
4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Rm 114
Venice, FL 34293

PHONE: (941) 861-3760
FAX: (941) 861-3770
ESPAÑOL: (833) 912-1316

NORTH PORT OFFICE
Biscayne Plaza
13640 Tamiami Trail
North Port, FL 34287

PHONE: (941) 423-9540
FAX: (941) 423-9256
ESPAÑOL: (833) 912-1316

PLEASE NOTE: Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. Florida Statute 668.6076.