Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2017-417, the title of which is as follows: (Mayor Sharief)
 
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE "SAY YES TO 2^ND CHANCES" PROJECT AND THE PROPOSED VOTING RESTORATION AMENDMENT TO THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION, WHICH WOULD, WITH LIMITED EXCEPTIONS, RESTORE THE VOTING RIGHTS OF CITIZENS CONVICTED OF A FELONY UPON COMPLETION OF SENTENCE, PAROLE, AND PROBATION; EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO ANY EFFORTS TO RESTRICT RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS FOR SUCH CITIZENS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

(Per the Tuesday Morning Memorandum, Commissioners Holness, Bogen and Vice Mayor Furr, requested being co-sponsors to this item.)

ACTION:  (T-2:45 PM)  Approved, as amended, to include the wording “…expressing support for the principles underlined for the “Say Yes to 2nd Chances Project…”.  (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)  (Commissioner Udine requested to be added as a co-sponsor to this item.  Through Mayor Sharief, Commissioners Geller and Rich requested to be added as co-sponsors to this item.)
 
VOTE: 9-0.

Formal Board approval is necessary for the adoption of a Resolution.

Enables the adoption of the above Resolution relating to restoration of voting rights.

The right to vote is an issue of concern for all residents of Broward County and the State of Florida. The proposed Resolution attached as Exhibit 1 demonstrates the Board's support for the "Say Yes to 2nd Chances" project and the related proposed constitutional Voting Restoration Amendment, which is attached as Exhibit 2. The Voting Restoration Amendment would automatically restore the voting rights of those convicted of a felony (except murder or sexual offenses) upon completion of sentence, including parole and probation. Through the Resolution, the Board also expresses its opposition to any efforts, legislative or otherwise, to restrict voting rights in general and specifically the restoration of rights of those previously convicted of a felony, except under the limited circumstances described above.