Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) recently proposed eight amendments to the state’s constitution. The proposals came from recommendations made by the public as well as members of the CRC and could be included on the General Election Ballot in the upcoming November election.
Two of the eight proposals included:
- Increasing the mandatory retirement age of judges and justices from 70 to 75
- Automatically restoring voting rights to ex-felons, except in the cases of homicides and sexual offenses, after all jail, probation and parole has been served
Currently, state law prohibits ex-felons from voting for life until the state restores their rights in what is a complex process. If the measure is approved, Florida would follow other states, like Virginia, in allowing ex-felons to regain certain aspects of citizenship.
The amendments still require approval by 22 of the CRC’s 37 members before they can be placed onto the 2018 ballot, at which time they must be approved by 60 percent of the voters in order to be incorporated into Florida’s constitution.
“As we review the more than 1,400 public proposals and thousands of comments and emails we have received, it is apparent that Floridians share many similar interests and ideas,” said commission chairman Carlos Beruff.
What is the Constitution Revision Commission?
The Constitution Revision Commission was created by Article XI, Section 2 of the Florida Constitution. The CRC convenes once every 20 years to examine the state constitution and recommend changes for voters to consider. The CRC is comprised of 37 Commissioners, 15 of whom are appointed by the Governor, nine by the President of the Florida Senate, nine by the Speaker of the House, and three by the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. The State Attorney General automatically serves as the 37 member.
The CRC has been meeting for the past year, traveling across the state to identify potential issues, conduct research and recommend changes to the Florida Constitution. During this time, the CRC held public hearings to learn about issues concerning Floridians and considered a number of amendments submitted by the public as well as CRC members.
Why This Matters
Whether the proposed amendments will be approved by the CRC, or make it onto the November ballot and be passed by voters, remains to be seen. However, the push to restore voting rights to ex-felons is part of a broader effort to reform the criminal justice system in Florida and throughout the Nation. In the meantime, if you are facing criminal charges in, you are well advised to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney.