TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Supreme Court is siding with Gov. Ron DeSantis in a legal dispute over restoring voting rights to felons with unpaid fines.
The court says in an advisory opinion that only felons who have fully completed their sentences can regain access to the ballot box under the voter approved ballot measure known as Amendment 4.
According to the court, a completed sentence means all outstanding financial obligations must have also been satisfied.
The opinion released Thursday has no immediate legal consequence but could influence ongoing legal action.
Voter rights groups have sued the state in federal court, but a trial isn't expected until spring.
