A panel of elected officials and advocates including Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren argued in a forum Friday that Florida should end its practice of permanently revoking the voting rights of people convicted of felonies.
But getting that done, they said, will take a constitutional amendment given the reluctance of the state Cabinet and Legislature to act on the issue.
The American Civil Liberties Union has pledged $5 million help pass the measure, which could include paying signature gatherers — the only realistic way the requirement could be met, said panelist Reggie Garcia, a lawyer who specializes in clemency cases.
