12.27.2006

Planning ahead in Florida.

You know, just in case.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A bill that would automatically return voting rights to felons after they complete their sentences has been introduced by a Florida legislator who is still in office even though he is a convicted felon.,,,

Siplin, a two-term Democrat from Orlando, was convicted in August on felony grand theft charges for having employees work on his 2004 re-election campaign on state time. He was sentenced last month to three years' probation and 300 hours of community service, but that has been postponed pending his appeal.

Siplin was disqualified from voting in November but doesn't get put on the never-vote-again-in-your life list unless he loses his appeal. Or unless, of course, he can get the law changed before that happens.
Florida is one of just three states _ all in the South _ that don't automatically restore voting rights after completion of a sentence, said [FLA] Senate Minority Leader Steven Geller.

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