Amendment 4 to the Florida Constitution, passed by public referendum in 2018, restores
the voting rights of most convicted felons who have completed their sentence.
On July 1, 2019, an Amendment 4 implementation law was codified as Florida Statutes
Section 98.0751 – Restoration of voting rights; termination of ineligibility subsequent to a
felony conviction.
A person is convicted of a felony if they are “adjudicated guilty”. In other words, a
“withhold of adjudication” is not a conviction.
Florida Statutes Section 98.0751(1) provides that the voting rights of felons who were not
convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense as defined in Florida Statutes Section
98.0751(2)(b)-(c) may be restored “upon the completion of all terms of his or her sentence,
including parole or probation.” You must be a U.S. Citizen to vote.
“Murder” involves the killing of another person as defined in Florida Statutes Sections
775.33(4), 782.04(1), (2), or (3), and 782.09 or any similar offense committed in another
state. This includes felony murder but excludes attempted murder or manslaughter.
“Felony sexual offense” includes offenses that serve as a predicate to register as a sexual
offender under Florida Statutes Section 943.0435, as well as offenses defined by Sections
491.0112, 784.049(3)(b), 794.08, 796.08, 800.101, 826.04, 847.012, 872.012,
944.35(3)(b)(2), 951.221(1), or any similar offense committed in another state.
The Clerk of the Court maintains all records for criminal convictions. You may determine
your sentence and confirm any outstanding financial obligations by inquiring of the Clerk
of Courts via email at criminal@miamidade.gov and/or by visiting the Clerk of Court’s
office and obtaining a copy of your sentencing document from them. Note that you may
only obtain certified copies of your documents by appearing in person.
If you have completed your sentence and fulfilled all of your financial obligations, you
may register to vote through the Department of Elections.
A restitution obligation cannot be waived. In order to register to vote more quickly, you must pay restitution.
If you cannot afford to pay the restitution, you will need to file a motion to modify your sentence, along with an affidavit of indigency, and request a hearing.
You may find a standard motion and affidavit here.
In order to register to vote more quickly, you should pay your financial obligations.
If you cannot afford to pay your financial obligations, you will need to file a motion to modify your sentence, along with an affidavit of indigency, and request a hearing.
You may find a standard motion and affidavit here.
The counties only have jurisdiction over their own cases.
Therefore, if you need the court’s assistance, you’ll need to seek relief in each county where you’ve been convicted of a felony.