What is Voting Restoration - Amendment 4?
Florida voters passed Voting Restoration - Amendment 4 on November 6, 2018.
The amendment restores voting rights to individuals with prior felony convictions who have completed their sentences, including parole and probation requirements. The terms of the constitutional amendment, which went into effect January 8, 2019, exclude anyone convicted of murder or a felony sex offense unless the Governor and Cabinet vote to restore voting rights for those individuals.
If I am a felon, how do I know if my rights have been restored?
It is up to the individual to know whether they are eligible to complete a voter registration application, including whether they are now eligible to vote under Amendment 4.
Starting on January 8, 2019, certain convicted felons who have completed their sentences, including parole and probation, will have their voting rights automatically restored and will be eligible to register to vote (with the exception of those convicted of murder or sexual offenses).
Convicted Felon Notice of Right to Request an Advisory Opinion:
Pursuant to recent federal Court Order entered on May 24, 2020, relating to restoration of rights for convicted felons, convicted felons have the right to request an advisory opinion using the court form or other similar form from the Division, as specifically pertaining to the following:
- The amount of any fine or restitution that must be paid to make the requesting person eligible to vote,
- The person's ability or inability to the fine or restitution, and/or
- The person's ineligibility to vote.
For the court's Standards Governing Eligibility to Vote After a Felony Conviction, please click here.
You may search for your eligibility or apply for your Restoration of Civil Rights through the Florida
Office of Executive Clemency:
How will the Supervisor of Elections office handle voter registration applications now?
The Supervisor of Elections office will accept and process voter registration applications as usual. It is up to the individual filling out the registration application to ensure the information being supplied, including restoration of voting rights, is accurate.
How do I register to vote?
In person:
St Johns County Supervisor of Elections Office
4455 Avenue A - #101
St. Augustine, FL 32095
Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Online: www.RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov (requires a Florida Driver’s License or Florida ID)
By mail: The statewide voter registration application form is available for download here (in English/ en Español) or available at any local library.
Now that I have registered to vote, what happens next?
Once notice is received by our office that your application has been processed by the state Division of Elections, we will mail you a Voter Information Card. You should receive that card within a few weeks of completing the voter registration application.