Jones v. DeSantis - Decision on the Merits (Trial Opinion)

On May 24, 2020, the Court issued its Opinion on the Merits following the historic 8-day trial in Jones v. DeSantis. The Court found that Florida’s “pay-to-vote” system violates the Constitution as applied to all individuals who genuinely cannot pay their legal financial obligations as a condition of voting. The opinion further held that the conditioning of voting rights restoration on the payment of court costs and fees is an illegal poll tax that violates the 24th Amendment, and that Florida’s voter registration forms violate the National Voter Registration Act. The Court established a new procedure for Floridians with past felony convictions to determine their eligibility to register and vote.  

This decision applies not only to the named plaintiffs in the lawsuit, but to the entire plaintiff class, represented by CLC.