Ex-Felons Get Class Status in Florida Voting Rights Dispute

A group of ex-felons may proceed as a class in their federal lawsuit seeking to restore their voting rights under a recent amendment to Florida’s constitution.

The class includes former felons who would be eligible to vote but for unpaid legal fees and fines. A subclass includes those who are eligible to vote but assert they are genuinely are unable to pay.

After trial, scheduled later this month, the court’s ruling won’t be limited to 17 plaintiffs who argue that Florida had created a “poll tax” and was discriminating on the basis of wealth, Judge Robert L. Hinkle of the ...