Lawsuits Seek to Block Fla. Legislation Requiring Felons to Pay Restitution

Lance Wissinger (L) and Neil Volz, both with felony records, hand in their voter registration forms at the Lee Country Supervisor of Elections office in Fort Myers, Fla., on Jan. 8, 2019. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

After Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure into law that requires felons to pay any outstanding court-ordered fines or restitution that were part of their sentence before regaining their right to vote, left-leaning groups promptly sued to block the new legislation, claiming it undermines a popular amendment to the state’s constitution.

Florida is viewed as a must-win state by both parties in next year’s presidential election, and the new legislation, which clarifies how the amendment is enforced, could affect voter turnout.