TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A federal judge is ordering Florida to overhaul its system for restoring voting rights, but top Republican officials are remaining relatively quiet about whether they plan to go along with the ruling.
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker blocked the state’s system of forcing ex-felons to wait at least five years before they can ask for the right to vote. Walker gave Gov. Rick Scott and state officials until April 26 to change the process.
Scott on Tuesday defended the current system but did not say if he would appeal.
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Two elected officials on the state’s clemency board say they are reviewing the ruling.
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis’s office also said any changes should reflect the wishes of crime victims.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam maintains different standards should be in place for violent and non-violent offenders.
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