FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – An attorney representing the state of Florida told a federal appeals court Tuesday the state can legally require felons to fully pay all fines, fees and restitution before allowing them to vote, while attorneys representing some felons argued that constitutes an illegal poll tax and discriminates against the poor.The 10 judges of the U.S.
11th Circuit Court of Appeals hearing Florida's challenge of a lower court ruling on the state's Amendment 4 appeared divided and uncertain about the case, peppering attorneys for both sides with questions about the monetary requirement.The amendment, adopted overwhelmingly by voters in 2018, lifted a lifelong voting ban on approximately 1.4 million felons, saying they regained the.