Posted on 10/13/2004 8:57:22 AM PDT by RedBloodedAmerican
George Crossley of Deltona talks to people after a rally for restoration of voting rights
for ex-felons Tuesday in front of the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand
DELAND -- For 19-year-old Robert Keys, the matter that landed him outside the Volusia County Courthouse on Tuesday was dead serious.
It had to do with some arrests -- but not his.
Neither Keys' father nor his uncle can vote in November because Florida law does not automatically restore convicted felons' civil rights.
"Get hyped. Let's go," he shouted, as he thrust a protest sign skyward. Like about 40 others who showed up for an ACLU-backed demonstration against the law, he thinks the state needs a change.
"I'm just out here trying to demand our rights back because a lot of black people couldn't vote because they're ex-felons," Keys said.
A well-known local former convict, 63-year-old George Crossley of Deltona, set up Tuesday's event for the Volusia/Flagler Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Similar rallies were held in other cities, including Orlando and Jacksonville, earlier in the fall. On Tuesday, a group of students, including Keys, from Bethune-Cookman College's Young Democrats' Club joined ACLU demonstrators.
In 1997, Crossley, a former televangelist, was convicted of trying to solicit the murder of his mistress' ex-husband. He served 2 1/2 years in prison.
With three months of probation to go, he can't yet apply for restoration of his voting rights because under Florida law, convicted felons can't have their civil rights restored until all state sentencing requirements are completed -- and then it's not guaranteed.
The ACLU says Florida is one of seven states that potentially disenfranchises former felons for life. Critics also say the state process for restoring rights, which involves review by the state's Executive Clemency Board, is cumbersome and ineffective.
The ACLU, which estimates there are 600,000 disenfranchised convicted felons in Florida, has long asked Gov. Jeb Bush to issue an executive order to automatically restore their rights. In July, a state appeals court ordered the Department of Corrections to assist felons with the application process after a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Florida.
The state has defended its process.
Of 69,480 cases of restoration of civil rights processed by the state between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 20,862 were granted, said Jane Tillman, a spokeswoman for the Florida Parole Commission.
As of Sept. 28, the Office of Executive Clemency had a backlog of 14,678 such cases, she said.
While Crossley said he would aggressively petition for his voting rights after his probation is complete, he said Tuesday's event wasn't about him.
"We need to do more than just say we're in favor of voting rights," he said. "We have to step up to the plate."
james.miller@news-jrnl.com
GOP are wanting people to vote by absentee in this area. My guess is because they know the Dems/Socialists are planning to hold up the vote with lawsuits after Nov 2 and absentees may get around that delay.
Florida voter fraud ping
How many of these felons voted BEFORE THEY WERE AREESTED?
Leave No Murderer, Rapist, Robber, Drug Dealer And Thug Behind.
In 1997, Crossley, a former televangelist, was convicted of trying to solicit the murder of his mistress' ex-husband. He served 2 1/2 years in prison.
A man who claimed to be a minister for God, tries to get someone murdered. Let me guess..... he would vote Democrat.
Um, this is against the law, felons don't get to vote, it's right there in the code, so, sorry guys. We'll talk to you later. Have a good day.
more on vote fraud, and what's behind it, here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1240255/posts?page=93#93
You bet. with the 3 strikes law, these guys want to do what they can to get rid of the death penalty. Plus they will also better their chances of getting to live off the govt, outside prison wall.
Is it true the "Dirty Dems" are trying to get Islamic terrorist prisoners at Gitmo registered to vote?
I am not familiar with that one, but I wouldn't doubt it.
Is it true the "Dirty Dems" are trying to get Islamic terrorist prisoners at Gitmo registered to vote?
That's most likely a load of bull. They're not only prisoners, they are ENEMY prisoners, and not citizens. The Dems WILL however probably try to suppress the votes of those who are GUARDING those prisoners, just like last time. Oh and by the way, if you're DEAD, you no longer have the right to vote.
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