Billionaire Michael Bloomberg dropped some serious cash, about $16 million, to help more than 32,000 felons in Florida vote.
According to a report from Axios, Bloomberg fundraised the money to pay off the fines of thousands of felons as it was preventing them from voting.
Florida passed a law in 2018 reinstating voting rights for felons ONLY if they pay all fines, fees, and restitution. For some felons, getting the right to vote in Florida could cost them more than $1,000 when registering to vote is free for the average citizen.
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Social justice and prison reform advocates took issue with the law, which was upheld last week by a ruling made by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. “The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy and no American should be denied that right,” a Bloomberg spokesperson told Axios. “Working together with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, we are determined to end disenfranchisement and the discrimination that has always driven it.”
Black or Latino felons who were already registered to vote and had fines and fees of less than $1500 were eligible for the payback initiative.
Last week, several television networks also pledged to donate money to the cause.
Bloomberg, who was once a Democratic presidential candidate, has now backed the party’s nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden for president. Bloomberg has also spent more than $100 million to get Donald Trump out of office.
Despite the former New York City mayor’s political leanings, the efforts to get felons registered to vote are non-partisan.
Bloomberg joins the many celebrities and social elite who are currently using their influence to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. We’ll keep you posted on any updates.
TSR STAFF: Christina C! @cdelafresh
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