Voter Felony Conviction Verification Procedures

Florida election law (§ 98.075, F.S.) establishes specific circumstances to be considered by county Supervisors of Elections in determining the eligibility of Florida citizens to vote. Included as one of those factors, a voter who has been disqualified from voting based on a felony conviction for an offense other than murder or a felony sexual offense must have such disqualification terminated and his or her voting rights restored pursuant to s. 4, Art. VI of the State Constitution upon the completion of all terms of his or her sentence, including parole or probation.

In order to assist with the identification of ineligible voters, Florida law provides specifically that the Florida Secretary of State, Division of Elections,  identify those registered voters who have been convicted of a felony and whose voting rights have not been restored by comparing information received from, but not limited to, a clerk of the circuit court, the Board of Executive Clemency, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Law Enforcement, or a United States Attorney’s Office, as provided in s. 98.093. The Division of Elections shall review such information and make an initial determination as to whether the information is credible and reliable. If the Division of Elections determines that the information is credible and reliable, the Division of Elections must notify the appropriate Supervisor of Elections and provide a copy of the supporting documentation indicating the potential ineligibility of the voter to be registered.

Upon notification of voter ineligibility, the county Supervisor of Elections will then notify the ineligible voter by mail of the ineligibility.  The Supervisor of Elections will provide the ineligible voter with information on how to contest/appeal the information concerning ineligibility.  The ineligible voter is then provided with a 30 day period to confirm or contest the information prior to removal from the voter rolls.

After eligibility determination by the Division of Elections and/or county Supervisor of Elections, complaints of ineligible voters may be referred to FDLE for review and action as deemed appropriate. 

Department of State: https://dos.fl.gov/elections/for-voters/voter-registration/felon-voting-rights/