HomeMy Public PortalAbout13-8696 Repeal all Law Which Deny The Restoration of Voting Rights Sponsored by: Mayor Taylor
RESOLUTION NO. 13—8 6 9 6
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA TO URGING AND
ENCOURAGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO
REPEAL ALL LAWS WHICH DENY THE RESTORATION
OF VOTING RIGHTS; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION
OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2011, the Florida Rules of Executive Clemency were
toughened, as the automatic restoration of civil rights and the ability to vote was no
longer granted for any convicted criminal offense; and
WHEREAS, Currently, all individuals convicted of any felony now need to apply
for executive clemency after a five-year waiting period, and individuals convicted of
certain felonies, such as murder, assault, child abuse, drug trafficking and arson are
subject to a seven-year waiting period and a clemency board hearing to determine
whether or not the ability to vote will be restored; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, an estimated 5.85 million people in the United States could
not vote due to a felony conviction, an increase from the 2004 total of 5.26 million and
the highest number since at least 1960; and
WHEREAS, as of 2010, Florida has disenfranchised 1,541,602 citizens due to a
felony conviction, which amounts to the disenfranchisement of 10.12% of the state's
voting age population and 23.3% of Florida's African-American voting age population,
the highest in the nation; and
WHEREAS, in 38 states, most felons get voting rights restored automatically
upon completion of his or her sentence, with some states making an exception for violent
crimes; and
WHEREAS, once an individual has served his or her time, the scarlet letter
precluding participation in our democracy should be removed from his or her head; and
Resolution No. 13-8696
WHEREAS, many ex-felons want to become involved in their communities,
want to be able to cast their vote in an election and want to have a say in the government
to make a difference in a very positive manner; and
WHEREAS, many people believe that the only reason not to let felons vote is to
stigmatize them or to continue punishing them, and if allowed to vote, former criminals
would be less likely to return to prison and more likely to become reintegrated into their
communities; and
WHEREAS, voting is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of our democracy,
yet millions of American have had their right to vote revoked for excessive periods of
time; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Opa-locka believe that the
automatic restoration of voting rights will give a person a meaningful way to re-enter
society, allow them to participate in our democracy, and incentivize good behavior
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA LOCKA, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals to the preamble are hereby incorporated by reference.
Section 2. The City Commission of City of Opa-locka, Florida, hereby
strongly urge the Florida State Legislature to repeal all legislation that denies the
restoration of voting.
Section 3. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a certified coy of this
Resolution to Governor Rick Scott: all State Representatives and State Senators; Michael
Sittig, Executive Director of the Florida League of Cities, Inc.; Richard Kuper, Esq.,
Executive Director of the Miami-Dade County League of Cities, Inc.; and to the
presiding officers and Council members of the municipalities in Miami-Dade County.
Section 4. The Mayor and the City Commission of the City of Opa-locka,
Florida, hereby direct the City's state lobbyist to advocate for legislation set forth in
Section 1.
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Resolution No. 13-8696
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23 day of October , 2013.
M• • T•I LOR
MAYOR
Attest to:
Joanna Flores
City Clerk
Approved as to form d legal sufficienc :
,�,
J 'sep Z. Geller
G' NSPOON MARDER PA
Cit, Attorney
Moved by: Commissioner Johnson
Seconded by: Commissioner HOlmes
Commission Vote: 5-0
Commissioner Holmes: YES
Commissioner Johnson: YES
Commissioner Santiago: YES
Vice-Mayor Kelley: YES
Mayor Taylor: YES
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