Voter E r Edu ducation a and C d Civic S Serv rvice “Fighting for Civic Rights Strengthens Us and Our Communities” Cecile M. Scoon, Esq. First Vice President League of Women Voters of Florida Civil Rights Attorney, Panama City
UNEQU QUAL YOK YOKING OF L OF LIBERTY & Y & B BON ONDAGE
FI FIGHT HT FOR FOR R RIGHT HTS OF OT OF OTHE HERS S SHE HEDS L LIGHT HT ON ON L LIMI MITS ON ON OU OUR OWN OWN R RIGHT HTS ABOLITIO LITIONIS IST B T BEGIN INNIN INGS • Eli lizabeth C h Cady S y Stanton on , a leading women’s rights advocate organizer of the Seneca Falls Convention • Lucretia Mott, a Quaker preacher from Philadelphia, who was known for her anti-slavery, women’s rights and religious reform activism. • Ma Mary ry M’C M’Cli lintoc ock , daughter of Quaker anti- slavery, temperance and women’s rights activists. In 1833, M’Clintock and Mott organized the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. At the Seneca Falls Convention, M’Clintock was appointed secretary.
FIGH IGHT F T FOR R RIGH IGHTS TS O OF O OTH THERS S SHEDS LIGH IGHT O T ON L LIM IMITS ITS O ON O OUR O OWN R RIGH IGHTS TS ight , Lucretia Mott’s sister. • Mar arth tha Co a Coffin Wr ffin Wrig women’s rights activist, abolitionist who ran a station on the Underground Railroad from her Auburn, New York, home. • Stanton and Mott first met in London in 1840, where they were attending the World Anti- Slavery Convention with their husbands. When the convention excluded women delegates solely based on their sex, the pair resolved to hold a women’s rights convention
SEEKIN ING L G LIB IBERTY TY F FOR A ALL IN INITIA ITIALLY SENECA FALLS CONVENTION ATTENDEES
100 A 100 ANNIVERSARY OF WOME Y OF WOMENS R RIGHT HT T TO V O VOT OTE • MANY TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS • ARRESTS • LOST MARRIAGES • LOST COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE • BEATEN BY POLICE • MOCKED AND THREATENED WHEN SPEAKING • FINAL WIN
PARALLEL A AND P PRESENT D DAY S Y STRUGGLE FOR FOR V VOT OTING R RIGHT HTS I IN FL FLOR ORIDA AMENDMENT 4
The H The History o of t f the C he Clem emenc ency P Proces ess i in n Fl Flor orida da • Though it originated in racism, disenfranchisement in Florida now affects Americans of all races. • It disproportionately impacts less educated and low-income individuals.
The H The History o of t f the C he Clem emenc ency P Proces ess i in n Fl Flor orida da • In Florida, constitutional disenfranchisement was a di rect response dire to the Emancipation Proclamation. • Intent was to make petty theft a felony and prevent African-American men from voting.
On On Novem ovember ber 6th Am Amendment 4 passed wi with th 64. 64.5% 5% of of the e vot vote. e.
What do Wh does A Amendm dment 4 do 4 do? #1 #1 Allows returning citizens the opportunity to earn voting rights by completing all of their sentence. #2 #2 Removes waiting periods imposed by previous governor. #3 #3 Excludes murder and felony sex offenses. 11
Pa Passage • Gave 1.4 million with felony convictions that completed their sentence ( ex excl cluding offenses ) the murde der a and f d felo lony s sex o opportunity to register to vote. • We refer to these 1.4 million as “ re return rning zens. ” citize
SB 7 7066 no now r requ equires es… SB7066 provides four different ways to vote again: 1. Pay all fines, fees, and restitution, if any, or 2. Petition court for waiver after getting written consent from victim, or 3. Petition court to convert financial obligations to community service; then complete hours, or 4. Petition court to rule no further payment is needed
SB 7 7066 no now r requ equires es… • Creates a new voter registration application • All applicants must state whether they have ever been convicted of felony • This requirement could have a negative impact on applications • May lead to discriminatory treatment of returning citizens
FOLLOW Y YOUR P PASSIO ION & & GE GET T IN INVOLVED IN IN Y YOUR C COMMUNITY ITY • PA PASSIO ION IS IS IN INFE FECTIO IOUS • MAKES H HARD RD W WORK RK, L , LIG IGHTER • COMMUNIC ICATES A AUTHENTIC ICIT ITY • CRE REATES A A B BRID RIDGE O OF C F COMMUNIC ICATIO ION
BEGIN WOR WORK WI WITH WHA H WHAT T THE HE C COMMU OMMUNITY Y SAYS YS I IS I IMP MPOR ORTANT • Listen to what the community has determined to be important • Work on those projects without trying to re- direct focus • After building trust try to weave in elements of civic engagement onto work selected as important to community • Show the connection in the community’s world with civics
TA TAKE O OPPORTU TUNITY ITY TO TO GR GROW A AND LEARN A ABOUYT Y T YOURSELF • FIGHTING FOR OTHERS HIGHLIGHTS LIMITS IN OUR OWN LIVES • FIGHTING FOR OTHERS HIGHLIGHTS PRIVILEGES IN OUR OWN LIVES • WISHING US ALL AN IMPACTFUL AND ENGAGING JOURNEY IN OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS TO BETTER OUR COMMUNITIES
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