Editorial: Florida voters win a few victories against the assault on rights

Voting is the foundational right ofVoting is the foundational right of America’s democracy — one that should be exercised not just lawfully, but freely and joyously. But over the decades, Florida’s leaders have sought ways to narrow the path to the ballot box, and raised the specter of harsh punishment for those accused of evading myriad rules when voting or assisting others to vote.

Many Floridians believe the dark days of voter suppression are over. But the tactics of the Jim Crow era are resilient things: They keep creeping back, dressed in the new garb of “election security” but clearly intended to make people anxious to vote — or even unable to do so.

This past week saw progress against two of those modern-day threats. The most promising, but nebulous, victory is a promise by the state to develop clear guidelines for ex-felons who want to restore their voting rights, a pledge that put the brakes on a Miami lawsuit. Meanwhile, a North Florida judge has permanently disabled a 2023 law that barred non-citizens from helping qualified voters register, sign petitions and vote.

Both are welcome developments, benefiting people who very much want to participate in our democracy.

Regaining personhood

In 2018, when Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to people with prior felony convictions, many thought the tough fight for redemption was over. But after years of obstruction and downright dirty tricks on the part of Gov. Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers, the Florida Rights Restoration was forced to file suit last year.

The main complaint: Florida officials have decided that many “returning citizens” cannot vote unless they can prove they’ve cleared several hurdles — including payment of all outstanding fees and restitution. But there’s no easy way for would-be voters to be sure those conditions have all been met — though the state has had more than five years to organize and provide that information. Instead, DeSantis went through the performative nonsense of creating a special elections-related police force, and arresting a handful of voters on charges that they registered to vote even though they were not eligible.

Last week, the state agreed to find a way to make that information available. The Department of State, which oversees elections, will hold a workshop June 11 to discuss ways for ex-felons to seek “advisory opinions” on their eligibility. In turn, the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition agreed to drop the pending lawsuit. It’s a courageous show of faith in a state where justice has been delayed for so long — and the state should respond by declaring that it will not prosecute former felons for petitioning for rights restoration before those rules are developed. That action will allow ex-felons to vote without fear in 2024.

Protect helping hands

Meanwhile, a North Florida federal judge has struck the final blow against a discriminatory 2023 state law that prevented non-citizens from collecting or handling voter registration forms, threatening any group that uses them with up to $50,000 in fines.

These non-citizens are, of course, barred from voting themselves. But they should have the right to work in voter-registration drives, especially since many long-term permanent residents have close ties to their communities and would be effective ambassadors to those who are eligible. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker made the right call.

Fight for your right

Meanwhile, all eligible voters need to make sure they are ready to vote in the 2024 election cycle, which includes an August primary and November general election. (That includes updating any changes of address or party affiliation, which affects which primaries voters participate in).

But the most important task falls to those who expect to vote by mail — who should be aware that, due to a 2022 law change, all mail-ballot requests are now expired. Renewing that request via the local elections office will ensure those voters can cast their ballots with convenience and confidence.

These provisions are just the tip of the iceberg. Lawmakers have also passed restrictions on drop-off ballot boxes; tightened rules and raised fines for many other get-out-the-vote activities; and even discussed measures that would stifle citizen initiative ballot questions — such as the rights-restoration amendment.

By now, many readers may be wondering: Why has the Legislature passed so many laws that stifle the rights of Floridians and make some fearful to cast a ballot? That’s a good question to ask state lawmakers responsible for these draconian new laws — especially those who will be on the November ballot themselves.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com