Bloomberg raises $16.1M to help Florida felons regain voting rights

[retrofade]

Quote

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has raised over $16 million to help felons pay outstanding fines and fees to regain their voting rights in Florida.

The big picture: A 2018 state constitutional amendment in Florida allows for felons who have completed their sentences to regain their right to vote — so long as they've also paid back any outstanding fines, fees or restitution.

Bloomberg's fundraising, in addition to $5 million from the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, has now paid off monetary obligations for 32,000 felons in Florida just before Election Day.

Voters who were already registered to vote, Black or Latino, and had fines and fees of less than $1500 were eligible for the payback initiative.

https://www.axios.com/bloomberg-michael-felon-voting-florida-2020-7b8122a3-cbfc-4ea6-be59-ae4cd73e0cae.html

[pokerider]

58 minutes ago, retrofade said:

https://www.axios.com/bloomberg-michael-felon-voting-florida-2020-7b8122a3-cbfc-4ea6-be59-ae4cd73e0cae.html

Are these the felons that Biden put in jail and Trump let them out?  

[Rebels18]

lol Trump pissed that midget off so bad he forked over $16 mill in hopes that he could drum up more Biden votes by tapping into the convicted felon pool. 

looks like Trump is going to have to cut another $1200 check for the plebs to buy them back

[tspoke]

This is a good thing.... The voters in Florida voted to restore voting rights to felons. Then the governor added the stipulation that they had to pay their bills before they got their voting rights back. Which had nothing to do with what the voters voted on. Is it a ploy by Bloomberg to help defeat trump in Florida? Sure. But sometimes the right thing is done for selfish reasons. 

[East Coast Aztec]

5 minutes ago, Rebels18 said:

lol Trump pissed that midget off so bad he forked over $16 mill in hopes that he could drum up more Biden votes by tapping into the convicted felon pool. 

looks like Trump is going to have to cut another $1200 check for the plebs to buy them back

This comment is sad for two reasons. 

One, having to pay monetarily to regain the right to vote after already paying with time in jail and loss of much of a chance to be successful in the job market, increasing recidivism.

Two, Trump paying for votes too.

What a system we have.  

[Rebels18]

4 minutes ago, East Coast Aztec said:

This comment is sad for two reasons. 

One, having to pay monetarily to regain the right to vote after already paying with time in jail and loss of much of a chance to be successful in the job market, increasing recidivism.

Two, Trump paying for votes too.

What a system we have.  

we're talking about convicted felons here.  People that seriously lack responsibility and moral judgement, and the vast majority are a complete drain on the system that's supported by hard-working people who pay taxes and make good moral decisions.  Felons that shirked their fines/fees until a billionaire bailed them out of their responsibilities yet again to possibly move the needle in Biden's favor in Florida. A vain attempt because these people probably never voted even before they became felons. 

By the way, many of these felons got released not because they paid their time, but because of COVID-19. Like this guy that got released from prison and killed someone the very next day:  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/us/florida-inmate-coronavirus-murder.html   

btw, I shouldn't be the one to have to tell you this but: people have been voting with their wallets long before the last couple elections. Biden can run a the platform of "More this! "More that" "More! More! More for Everybody!!" but at the end of the day taxpayers know they will have to foot the bill and with the hard times everyone is going through cause of the rona'--they aren't going to vote for anybody talking about raising taxes. 

[renoskier]

3 minutes ago, Rebels18 said:

we're talking about convicted felons here.  People that seriously lack responsibility and moral judgement, and the vast majority are a complete drain on the system that's supported by hard-working people who pay taxes and make good moral decisions.  Felons that shirked their fines/fees until a billionaire bailed them out of their responsibilities yet again to possibly move the needle in Biden's favor in Florida. A vain attempt because these people probably never voted even before they became felons. 

By the way, many of these felons got released not because they paid their time, but because of COVID-19. Like this guy that got released from prison and killed someone the very next day:  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/us/florida-inmate-coronavirus-murder.html   

btw, I shouldn't be the one to have to tell you this but: people have been voting with their wallets long before the last couple elections. Biden can run a the platform of "More this! "More that" "More! More! More for Everybody!!" but at the end of the day taxpayers know they will have to foot the bill and with the hard times everyone is going through cause of the rona'--they aren't going to vote for anybody talking about raising taxes. 

MOAR PRISONS!!!

 

@thelawlorfaithful...am I doing this right?

[Rebels18]

4 minutes ago, renoskier said:

MOAR PRISONS!!!

 

@thelawlorfaithful...am I doing this right?

"YES!!! YESSS YASSSSSSSSSS"

[East Coast Aztec]

57 minutes ago, Rebels18 said:

we're talking about convicted felons here.  People that seriously lack responsibility and moral judgement, and the vast majority are a complete drain on the system that's supported by hard-working people who pay taxes and make good moral decisions.  Felons that shirked their fines/fees until a billionaire bailed them out of their responsibilities yet again to possibly move the needle in Biden's favor in Florida. A vain attempt because these people probably never voted even before they became felons. 

By the way, many of these felons got released not because they paid their time, but because of COVID-19. Like this guy that got released from prison and killed someone the very next day:  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/us/florida-inmate-coronavirus-murder.html   

btw, I shouldn't be the one to have to tell you this but: people have been voting with their wallets long before the last couple elections. Biden can run a the platform of "More this! "More that" "More! More! More for Everybody!!" but at the end of the day taxpayers know they will have to foot the bill and with the hard times everyone is going through cause of the rona'--they aren't going to vote for anybody talking about raising taxes. 

So you do not believe in restoration of rights for people who are released, unless they pay a sum of money?  And you believe most felons are released from covid instead of their sentence being served?  What a pair of laughable statements.  Shirked fines and fees, or couldn't afford it because their their poor decisions of the past are leaving them with a low chance of a decent job to pay those and rent, food, and other necessities?  

And I am fully aware of voting with wallets, but you are fine with paying for votes on one side and not the other?  How about neither are a positive and it is sad that it happens?   Your statement is one of the old-school thought of once a criminal, always a criminal, so continue the punishment.  An anti-American sentiment, but prevalent nonetheless.

[Rebels18]

20 minutes ago, East Coast Aztec said:

So you do not believe in restoration of rights for people who are released, unless they pay a sum of money? Yes, I believe they should fully pay for the consequences of their actions. These are people who committed felonies--many of them violent.   And you believe most felons are released from covid instead of their sentence being served? You're putting words in my mouth, I said many felons were released because of COVID, not most.  What a pair of laughable statements. Only when read by someone who needs to resort to inferior argumentative tactics to twist my words around. SAD!  Shirked fines and fees, or couldn't afford it because their their poor decisions of the past are leaving them with a low chance of a decent job to pay those and rent, food, and other necessities?  Sounds like excuses for them to stay unemployed to me. 

And I am fully aware of voting with wallets, but you are fine with paying for votes on one side and not the other? Trump cutting another rona' check is helping out people suffering from financial hardships of COVID regardless if they're voting democrat or republican. Simply pointing out it's mutually beneficial for people's wallets and for Trump to curry their favor is just a fact.  How about neither are a positive and it is sad that it happens? Never said it was a good thing. You're struggling with reading comprehension today.  Your statement is one of the old-school thought of once a criminal, always a criminal, so continue the punishment.  An anti-American sentiment, but prevalent nonetheless. Never said that, just that convicted felons should pay for the consequences of their own actions rather than politically motivated billionaires getting them off the hook to get their vote to cancel out the votes of hard-working, morally responsible Americans. 

 

[East Coast Aztec]

12 minutes ago, Rebels18 said:

 

So, and you can attempt to correct me here

-many of these felons released are covid releases?  So what is the "these"?  The ones benefitting from someone willing to help them to vote? If so, where is this info coming from?

- them getting help to vote is somehow allowing them to stay unemployed?  How do you come up with that when I stated they may not be able to afford to pay for their right to vote back, WHILE paying for rent, food and necessities?  What type of weak argument did you just try to make here?

- you still believe people who have served their sentence should have to pay for their right to vote, is that not anti-American to you?

- when you make a statement that Trump will send out checks to buy back votes, then offer a "you know they all do it?" when someone simply states that it is messed up that it is that way, what is your intent?  Arguing to argue?

- is helping previously registered voters that have to pay money for the right to vote cancelling out voters, or restoring voters who were under some draconian policy?  

 

Again, your stance of felons who served their time and were released having to pay money for the right to vote goes against the tenet of serving your time.  I did not even know this was a thing and had to look it up.  Of course, this was a bill passed after a ballot initiative passed for the restoration of released prisoner's rights (to include completing parole or probation) that shoved fines into that, which went against the voters.  Again, seems quite anti-American.  Perfect for Florida, and it sounds like you agree.  Now, that would be sad.  

[Slapdad]

9 hours ago, East Coast Aztec said:

This comment is sad for two reasons. 

One, having to pay monetarily to regain the right to vote after already paying with time in jail and loss of much of a chance to be successful in the job market, increasing recidivism.

Two, Trump paying for votes too.

What a system we have.  

Besides the fact that, in most cases, people have served their entire sentence, part of their sentence was to pay a fine or, in many cases, restitution to make either the state or the victim whole, so I have no problem with people having to pay those before having the right to vote. 

As far as buying votes goes, I assume you're referring to Trump putting his name on relief checks, as others have brought up? The case could be made that every candidate is "buying votes" in some form or fashion, but there is no comparison between these two situations. What hasn't been brought up yet is that he could be violating a Florida law that says "No person shall directly or indirectly give or promise anything of value to another intending thereby to buy that person’s or another’s vote or to corruptly influence that person or another in casting his or her vote. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in...". 

[Nevada Convert]

5 hours ago, Slapdad said:

Besides the fact that, in most cases, people have served their entire sentence, part of their sentence was to pay a fine or, in many cases, restitution to make either the state or the victim whole, so I have no problem with people having to pay those before having the right to vote. 

As far as buying votes goes, I assume you're referring to Trump putting his name on relief checks, as others have brought up? The case could be made that every candidate is "buying votes" in some form or fashion, but there is no comparison between these two situations. What hasn't been brought up yet is that he could be violating a Florida law that says "No person shall directly or indirectly give or promise anything of value to another intending thereby to buy that person’s or another’s vote or to corruptly influence that person or another in casting his or her vote. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in...". 

There’s also a federal law against it, and of course, the felons will have to pay taxes on the money given to them. The Florida law looks like it has more teeth than the federal law. So will these folks want to risk going back to the slammer? What they should do is take Bloomberg’s money and not vote. They’d still have to pay taxes, but they’d be legal.

[Nevada Convert]

16 hours ago, retrofade said:

https://www.axios.com/bloomberg-michael-felon-voting-florida-2020-7b8122a3-cbfc-4ea6-be59-ae4cd73e0cae.html

Bloomberg raised money? He has money already. 

[retrofade]

Here's a far better article than the Axios one.

Quote

A group trying to help felons sign up to vote in Florida says it has raised more than $20 million to pay off outstanding court debts for thousands of former prisoners seeking to register in a battleground state crucial to President Donald Trump's reelection.

Billionaire and former presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg is among those who have helped with a surge in fundraising for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition in the 10 days since a federal appeals court upheld registration restrictions put in place by the state’s felon voting law. The group had just recently crossed the $5 million mark but the help from Bloomberg and others — including entertainers such as John Legend — pushed them to their latest milestone. Florida's registration deadline is in less than two weeks.

"The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy and no American should be denied that right,” Bloomberg said in a statement. “Working together with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, we are determined to end disenfranchisement and the discrimination that has always driven it.”

Bloomberg’s decision to funnel money into paying off court debts came shortly after he also pledged to spend $100 million to help defeat Trump in Florida. Trump narrowly won the state with less than 113,000 votes four years ago and both Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden are in a push to find any advantage that helps them in the margins.

Florida’s voter registration deadline is Oct. 5 and as many as 775,000 felons may have outstanding court debts — which include fines, fees and restitution — that preclude them from registering under the law passed last year by the Republican-controlled state Legislature.

Neil Volz, the coalition’s deputy director, said the group had already paid off fines and fees for nearly 5,000 people so far and averaged to about $1,000 per person. He said that the average could drop because “our goal is to help as many people as fast as possible” but he said the infusion of new help could lead to 20,000 people having their legal financial obligations paid off.

Voters in 2018 overwhelmingly passed Amendment 4, which ended the state’s lifetime ban on voting for most former prisoners. GOP legislators contended they were clarifying the law, but their legislation drew an immediate lawsuit from a group of ex-felons represented by voting rights and civil rights groups. A lower court judge threw out most of the law as unconstitutional, saying that part of the measure was an unconstitutional poll tax.

https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2020/09/22/bloomberg-others-rack-up-20m-to-register-florida-felons-after-time-served-1317710

[sactowndog]

6 hours ago, Nevada Convert said:

There’s also a federal law against it, and of course, the felons will have to pay taxes on the money given to them. The Florida law looks like it has more teeth than the federal law. So will these folks want to risk going back to the slammer? What they should do is take Bloomberg’s money and not vote. They’d still have to pay taxes, but they’d be legal.

They aren’t buying their vote.   The people are free to vote as they wish.  Nothing illegal is happening here.   But keep up with the GOP voter suppression tactics.   Given how badly the GOP is getting crushed by women perhaps they will try to invalidate the 19th Amendment next. 

[sactowndog]

2 minutes ago, Bob said:

The only reason Bloomberg and the dems are doing this is to get votes. Definitely not born out of an altruistic motive.

It’s possible for both to be true.  

[soupslam1]

22 hours ago, tspoke said:

This is a good thing.... The voters in Florida voted to restore voting rights to felons. Then the governor added the stipulation that they had to pay their bills before they got their voting rights back. Which had nothing to do with what the voters voted on. Is it a ploy by Bloomberg to help defeat trump in Florida? Sure. But sometimes the right thing is done for selfish reasons. 

What?? The right thing would have been to give the money to a food bank or homeless shelter. 

[tspoke]

13 minutes ago, soupslam1 said:

What?? The right thing would have been to give the money to a food bank or homeless shelter. 

The right thing would be to restore the voting rights of felons after they have served their time like the voters overwhelmingly supported. But instead they put up another hurdle to stop them from getting their voting rights. Then no one would have to pay their fines and that money could go to whatever cause you deem worthy.

[Slapdad]

7 hours ago, Nevada Convert said:

There’s also a federal law against it, and of course, the felons will have to pay taxes on the money given to them. The Florida law looks like it has more teeth than the federal law. So will these folks want to risk going back to the slammer? What they should do is take Bloomberg’s money and not vote. They’d still have to pay taxes, but they’d be legal.

I don't believe the ex-cons would go back to prison....it's Bloomberg (or whoever actually paid for the votes) who is in violation of the law(s).