Amendment 4, the voting restoration amendment on Floridians’ ballot this November, has received the endorsement of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB).
Established nationwide in 1969, the FCCB takes an active and cooperative role in health, education, and welfare activities that promote the material and well-being of the people of the State of Florida.
In announcing the organization’s support of Amendment 4, the nine Catholic Bishops in Florida agreed, “Our belief in the transformative power of redemption is core to our faith. Amendment 4 provides the promise of redemption to folks who have paid their debts in full, and are ready to reintegrate themselves to society. It is time our state’s laws reflect this belief in second chances; it is simply the right thing to do. FCCB is proud to support Amendment 4 and to be part of the movement that will help millions of Floridians get a second chance to becoming full citizens.”
Current Florida law excludes 1.4 million Floridians who have completed the terms of their sentence from voting for life. Florida is one of only four states with a lifetime ban on voting. Amendment 4 would restore the eligibility to vote to Floridians who have served their time and completed all terms of their sentence as ordered by a judge – including parole, probation, and restitution. The amendment specifically excludes those individuals who have committed murder or a felony sexual offense.
FCCB is the latest organization to announce its support of Amendment 4, which has also received the endorsements of Christian Coalition, Koch Industries backed Freedom Partners, and from Floridians of all walks of life.
To learn more about the Second Chances Campaign, please visit secondchancesfl.org.
