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1 million more Floridians voted for Amendment 4 than Gov. DeSantis. Let’s hear them.
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1 million more Floridians voted for Amendment 4 than Gov. DeSantis. Let’s hear them.

David Ballard analyzes the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' recent ruling on Amendment 4 in Florida, arguing that the court's refusal to define "inability to pay" leaves the door open for the governor to undermine the law and continue to disenfranchise voters.

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Last week, when I read that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit upheld the true intent of Amendment 4, my first thought was: What’s the catch?

The court ruled against Gov. Ron DeSantis’s attempt to deny the right to vote based on an inability to pay fines and fees. Though he has already announced he will appeal the decision again, it is unmistakably a huge win for 1.4 million disenfranchised Floridians, and any person on the side of voting rights and democracy.

But I know my state and I know my country.

The above excerpt was originally published in Tampa Bay Times. Click here to view the full article.

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Authors

David Ballard

Former Associate Director, Economic Policy