Restoration of Civil Rights

Florida Constitutional Amendment 4: Registering to Vote

Florida voters approved Amendment 4 in the November 6, 2018 General Election, restoring 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.

How do I register to vote?

You may register to vote by completing a Florida Voter Registration Application and submitting it to the Supervisor of Elections office. You can also apply online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov or register in person at the Tax Collector’s office when obtaining 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.

How do find out if I am eligible to vote under the terms of Amendment 4?

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. 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.

Resources for verifying Amendment 4 sentence completion obligations:

Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court: www.ManateeClerk.com or 941-749-1800

Florida Department of Corrections: www.dc.state.fl.us or 850-488-5021

Florida Commission on Offender Review: www.fcor.state.fl.us or 850-922-0000

How will the Supervisor of Elections handle voter registration applications in view of Amendment 4?

As of January 8, 2019, the Supervisor of Elections office continues to accept and process voter registration applications as usual, including those from individuals with prior felony convictions who are newly eligible to register under the provisions of Amendment 4. Voters who were previously removed from the voter rolls due to a felony conviction must re-register to vote.

For more information, please call 941-741-3823 or email Info@VoteManatee.gov.