LTC 364-2013 City of North Miami Beach Resolution MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
No. LTC# 3 13 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Me bers of th City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: October 7, 2013
SUBJECT: CITY OF NORTH MIAMI BEACH ESOLUTION
Attached for your information is Resolution No. R2013 -66, which was passed by the
City of North Miami Beach on October 1, 2013.
A Resolution Urging And Encouraging The Florida Legislature To Repeal All
Laws Which Deny The Restoration Of Voting Rights.
If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 305.673.7411.
JLM /REG
Attachments
F:\CLER \$ALL \LILIA \LTC's - Transmittal's \Resolution 2013- 66.docx
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r City of North Miami Beach, Florida
Councilwoman Barbara Kramer
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October 1, 2013
Dear Elected Officials,
On October 1, 2013 The North Miami Beach City Council unanimously approved
Resolution R2013 -66 (a copy is attached for your consideration) of which I sponsored
urging and encouraging the Florida Legislature to restore civil rights and voting
privileges for ex- felons. Once a convicted felon has completed his /her punishment it is
unjust and immoral to prolong their sentence. The right to vote is guaranteed by the US
Constitution and once a person has served his /her time ones freedoms should be
restored. Furthermore, by denying ex- felons the right to vote more than lo% of
Florida's voting age population is denied access to the polls.
As elected officials we must band together and lead the State by asking the Legislature to
repeal all laws which deny the restoration of voting rights.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
a srg ,
Barbara Kramer
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17011 N.E. 19th Avenue North Miami Beach, Florida 33162 -3100 Phone: 305 94$ Fax: 305 -787-6036
Email: barbara.kramer @citynmb.com
RESOLUTION NO. R2013 -66
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA
URGING AND ENCOURAGING THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE TO REPEAL ALL LAWS WHICH DENY
THE RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS.
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2011, the Florida Rules of Executive Clemency were
toughened, as the automatic restoration of civil rights and the ability to vote was no longer
granted for any convicted criminal offense; and
WHEREAS, currently, all individuals convicted of any felony now -need to apply for
executive clemency after a five -year waiting period, and individuals convicted of certain
felonies, such as murder, assault, child abuse, drug trafficking and arson are subject to a seven -
year waiting period and a clemency board hearing to determine whether or not the ability to vote
will be restored; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, an estimated 5.85 million people in the United States could not
vote due to a felony conviction, an increase from the 2004 total of 5.26 million and the.highest
number since at least 1960; and
WHEREAS, as of 2010, Florida has disenfranchised 1,541,602 citizens due to a felony
conviction, which amounts to the disenfranchisement of 10.42% of the state's voting age
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population and 23.3% of Florida's African- American voting age population, the highest in the
nation; and
WHEREAS, in 38 states, most felons get voting rights restored automatically upon
completion of his or her sentence, with some states making an exception for violent crimes; and
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WHEREAS, once an individual has served his or her time, the scarlet letter precluding
the participation in our democracy should be removed from his or her head; and
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RESOLUTION R2013 -66
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WHEREAS, those involved in the restoration of one's voting rights have experienced
ex- felons who want to become involved in their communities want to be able to cast their vote
in an election and want to have a say in the government to make a difference -in a very positive
manner; and
WHEREAS, many believe that the only reason not to let felons vote is to stigmatize
them or to continue punishing them, and if allowed to vote, they would be less likely to .return to
prison and more likely to become reintegrated into their communities; and
WHEREAS, voting is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of our democracy, yet
millions of American have had their right to vote revoked for periods ranging from the time
spent incarcerated to a lifetime; and
WHEREAS, the. Mayor and City Council believe that the automatic restoration of voting
rights will give a person a meaningful way to re -enter society, allow them to participate in our
democracy, and incentivize good behavior.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of North Miami Beach, Florida.
Section 1. The Mayor and Council of the City of North Miami Beach, Florida,
hereby strongly urge the Florida State Legislature to repeal all legislation that denies the
restoration of voting.
Section 2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a certified copy of this
.Resolution to: Governor Rick Scott; all State Representatives _and State Senators; Michael Sittig,
Executive Director . of the Florida League of Cities, Inc:; Richard Kuper, Esquire, Executive
Director of the Miami -Dade County League of Cities, Inc.; and to the presiding Officers and
Council members of the municipalities in Miami -Dade County.
RESOLUTION R2013 -66
Section 3. The Mayor and Council of the City of North Miami Beach, Florida,
hereby direct the City's state lobbyists to advocate for legislation set forth in Section 1.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City .of North Miami Beach City Council at the
regular meeting assembled this 1st day of October, 2013.
ATTEST:
PAMELA L. "LATI ORE GEO � A E
CITY CLERK MAYOR,
(CITY' SEAL)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DARCEE S. "SIEGEL
CITY ATTORNEY
Sponsored by: Councilwoman Barbara M. Kramer
Mayor and Council
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RESOLUTION 82013 -66
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