Voting rights groups provide aid to felons listen

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In April, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist persuaded two of the three other Cabinet members that make up the state’s Clemency Board to let most felons easily regain their voting rights after prison. At the time, the governor said it was time to leave the “offensive minority” of states that uniformly deny ex-offenders such rights.

But according to Leon County Supervisor of Elections Leon Sancho, more needs to be done to ensure all eligible voters can register and actually vote.

Today three groups, led by the Washington-based People For the American Way, announced that they have created a website and a toll-free telephone number to help ex-offenders in Florida find out whether their voting rights have been restored. The resources also provide information and assistance on registering to vote.

Reggie Mitchell is with the Florida branch of the People For the American Way. WMNF asked him what happened since Crist’s decision in April to automatically restore ex-felons rights.

The website is called RestoreMyVote.com; the toll-free number is 1-877-60 RESTORE.