Corri Moore, 42, was one of the first people downtown to register to vote today. He said he lost his right to vote about 14 years ago for a felony charge of driving with a suspended license. He most regrets not getting to be a part of the historic 2008 election of Barack Obama. 
Among his priorities he said he hopes politicians will pay attention to: re-entry services and sentencing reform. “People with molestation charges who have a lot of money get less time than someone with a driving with a suspended license. It’s time to level the playing field.”
A group of six people who were previously convicted of felonies walk inside to register to vote.
One of them, Dana Miller tried to get his rights restored in ‘08, but the clemency process rejected him. Last November, he said, he got his rights back and was able to vote for the first time. He said he cried as he the machine accepted his ballot.
Loutricia Gibbs-Tolbert, who just registered, said: “our victory outweighs our shame. … our lives are salvageable. What you see here are not people who went to prison and prison reformed them, because prison is not rehabilitative.”
Dana Miller, who was able to get his rights restored in time for the November election, shows off his registration card.
Jerry Stewart hasn’t been able to vote since before 1992. He tried to vote for Clinton then but was told he’d lost his right because of a felony conviction. He’s 70, and he said he’ll be voting in Jacksonville’s March election.
Taunya Tyson, 47, lost her rights in 2011 for driving with a suspended license. She said she put today’s date in her google calendar and has been counting down the days. She came here as soon as she dropped her daughter off at school. She also picked up a form for her son.
It’s been a pretty steady stream of people walking in and registering all morning here in Jacksonville. Our city elections for sheriff and mayor are in March.
Bobbie Henry has been helping people get their rights restored for 19 years at the Duval Supervisors of Elections office. Today has been emotional. “It’s a great feeling for productive citizens to get their rights back.”
Anthony Biggins, on the left, is 56 and has never voted. He said the March elections will be his first. He couldn’t contain his excitement while he filled out the paperwork. “That’s all I need?” he asked.
“We’ll send you something in the mail.”
“That’s fine by me.”
“We’ll send you something in the mail.”
“That’s fine by me.”
Here's my story recapping the morning: jacksonville.com/news/20190108/…
I'll be back out during lunch break to capture people heading there then to register to vote.
I'll be back out during lunch break to capture people heading there then to register to vote.
Keith Ivey came in the afternoon with his application already filled out, with his wife and mother and ACLU staff in tow. March 19 will be the first time he gets to vote. He said he hopes politicians will understand how much support people need when they come out of incarceration
Ivey is still concerned about what the Department of State will do next. “What’s the next level?” he asked “I’m worried about getting lost in red tape.”
DOS has said they’re accepting all applications while they figure out how to determine if registrants completed their sentences
DOS has said they’re accepting all applications while they figure out how to determine if registrants completed their sentences
Ivey was part of the ACLU’s campaign for Amendment 4 and was in this video.
George Moses, 61, hasn’t voted since a felony conviction 20 years ago. He didn’t know he’d lost his rights until he tried to vote in 2008. He said he’s a pastor and he and his church have been counting down the days until Jan. 8 when he could register again.
Folks have been noting that many of these people lost their right to vote for driving with a suspended license. The main legislator who has been fighting to reform Florida's driving laws is @JeffreyBrandes. My colleague @conarck has written about that.
No way yet of knowing how many people turned in applications online or at Jacksonville Public Libraries, but just got word from @DuvalCountySOE that 101 people have registered so far today just at the downtown office.
