Police bodycam footage shows the moments several suspects in a statewide voter fraud investigation were arrested.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talked about voter fraud charges saying that his administration was committed to enforcing election integrity in the state.
In the video, officers could be heard talking to the suspects as the arrests were being made.
“I think the agents with FDLE talked to you last week about voter fraud, voter stuff, when you weren’t supposed to be voting maybe,” officials told one of the suspects.
One of the men claimed that a Florida State Official told him he was eligible to vote when registering for his new driver’s license. The suspect said the official told him he had to fill out a form, then he could vote.
“Then there’s your defense… That sounds like a loophole to me,” the arresting deputy said.
It is unclear whether or not the suspect filled out the form needed in order to restore his voting rights.
In 2018, a felon’s right to vote was restored, if that felon was not convicted of felony sex crimes or murder.
In his August press conference, Gov. DeSantis said those arrested met the criteria,
“They are disqualified from voting because they’ve been convicted of either murder or sexual assault, and they do not have the right to vote. Today’s actions send a clear signal to those who are thinking about ballot harvesting or fraudulently voting. If you commit an elections crime, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to a fact sheet published by the Clay County Supervisor of Elections, felons convicted of the exempted offenses still have to go through the Florida State Clemency Board to restore their voting rights,
The suspects are facing felony charges for illegally voting — punishable by up to five years in prison.
Gov. DeSantis signed Legislation in April authorizing the creation of a state Office of Election Crimes and Security, as well as strengthening penalties voter fraud.
Each of the suspect faces five years in prison for registering and voting illegally.
