tallahassee fla. leonard roscoe newton florida prisons since could vote start youthful conviction burglary free man six years important exception still vote newton african american among nearly 1.5 million former felons strip right vote state history decide u.s. presidential elections sometimes razor-thin margins hundred vote felons disenfranchise florida since 1868 although seek clemency restore vote right since 2011 however republican state leaders toughen restrictions felon vote right 2,339 ex-felons right restore low annual number nearly two decades accord state data review reuters compare 155,000 prior four years reform introduce governor rick scott predecessor moderate republican governor charlie crist data show crist governor 2007 2011 make much easy restore ex-felons vote right try effective member community saw voiceless say newton whose expectations get right restore dash rule change new administration 45 never vote dramatic slowdown stoke racially charge debate whether political bias taint process restore felon vote right large battleground state nov. presidential election florida toughen ban mean racial minorities disproportionately exclude vote high incarceration rat data show black voters tend favor democrats republicans oppose felon vote change concern political implications say darryl paulson conservative republican vote right expert see wide restoration vote right huge political advantage democratic party paulson say non-violent ex-felons right vote almost u.s. state deny incarcerate felons right vote many restore right complete sentence last two decades 20 state take action help people criminal convictions regain vote right since july virginia governor restore vote right 67,000 felons florida large four remain state strip former felons vote right account nearly half bar vote nationally along virginia others kentucky iowa march 2011 two months become governor scott reverse crist reform allow many non-violent felons automatically get vote right reinstate complete sentence crist also simplify process felons convict serious crimes regain vote scott millionaire former health care executive put place new restrictions require ex-felons wait five seven years apply regain right vote serve jury hold elect office say new rule ensure ex-felons prove unlikely offend florida disenfranchise one five voting-age black voters accord research collect sentence project washington-based advocacy group compare 8.6 percent state non-black potential voters data hispanic voting-age population vote law unavailable although hispanics make 12.5 percent florida inmates rat reflect racial disparities criminal convictions florida current prison population nearly 48 percent black racial group although black 17 percent state population ion sancho supervisor elections leon county include capital city tallahassee accuse republican administration repeal felon vote reform reduce number african americans right restore voters perceive democratic vote therefore target elimination sancho former democrat unaffiliated either party scott attorney general pam bondi republican officials drive 2011 policy change agree interview reuters respond directly question accusations law intend influence elections bondi previously deny policy amount racially motivate disenfranchisement may suggest rule change anything race assertions completely unfounded justice nothing race bondi write 2011 newspaper editorial scott office statement reuters say former felons need demonstrate live life free crime show willingness request right restore show restitution victims crimes order vote right restore democrats seize issue civil right concern regardless political impact say nell toensmann chair democratic party st. johns county north florida region 225,000 people dominate republicans yes disenfranchise lot african americans disenfranchise lot white people would vote republicans well say reuters/ipsos state nation poll project show tight race florida estimate democratic presidential candidate hillary clinton 48 percent chance win state compare republican opponent donald trump 42 percent political scientists say vote ban sap vote party research suggest democrats pay steep price analysis vote pattern race economic status find ban exist 2000 presidential election democrats would enough vote overturn republican george w. bush 537-vote victory florida white house close elections republican candidates felon disenfranchisement could decisive say christopher uggen university minnesota professor lead study apply vote right difficult ex-felons must submit certify court documentation felony conviction document difficult secure unable spend time money track record courthouses case involve serious crimes hear person clemency board consist governor florida cabinet officer quarterly meet tallahassee sept. 21 meet windowless room florida capitol build 48 petition restore vote right agenda present governor three state officer all-day session punctuate tear emotional pleas petitioners represent attorneys others show solo accompany friend relative clemency act mercy right guarantee scott tell urge applicants accept culpability state rule give decide vote deny say learlean rahming approach podium black white flower dress accompany adult daughter state record show dozens criminal charge two decades include larceny drug possession shoplift accept responsibility stupid mistake past say 63-year-old woman travel miami add prison 20 years officials impress turnaround story bondi notice discrepancy record show rahming vote marry name release see could vote tell panel explain many years realize right take away scott move deny rahming leave wipe tear board ultimately clear 23 residents get back civil right 10,500 applications still pending crist former governor champion leniency switch democratic party 2012. interview question whether policy change felons vote cost 2014 bid reclaim governor mansion lose 64,000 vote ballpark number people state complete felony sentence typical year florida department corrections data show never know sure crist say ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ felons face tough road election day tmsnrt.rs/2dsol2q ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ battleground florida tough stance felons may sap vote democrats