Pro Bono opportunity to register voters and help Returning Citizens (citizens with felony convictions) seek restoration of their voting rights

Provide voter registration services through the League of Women Voters (LWV) of the St. Petersburg Area and provide intake for Returning Citizens seeking help with restoration of voting rights through the LWV of Florida Reinstatement of Voting Rights Project.

When you encounter a Returning Citizen during voter registration, you’ll provide on-the-spot intake to help them identify their eligibility to receive help from a pro bono attorney. We plan to provide this dual service at events where there are likely to be Returning Citizens. We have two events scheduled so far:

Date: Sunday, 9/22/24

Time: 11:15 (set up) for 11:30-noon start. Expect to finish 1 or 1:30 pm

Mt. Zion Progressive Recovery Day Service

Location: Mt Zion Progressive, 833 20th St. South, St. Petersburg

Event details: Provide voter registration and Returning Citizen intake after Mt. Zion’s Recovery Day Service for people recovering from addiction.

Date: Thursday, 10/3/24

Time: 4:45 (set up for 5pm start) – 7pm

Sanderlin Center Voter Registration Drive

Location: 2335 22nd Ave. S.

Event details: Provide voter registration and Returning Citizen intake. Timed to coincide with food pantry hours.

In addition to providing intake services at voter registration events, you’ll have the opportunity to help attorneys represent Returning Citizens by:

  • Researching the criminal records of Returning Citizens to determine eligibility for restoration of voting rights. Among other things, determine whether there are any outstanding fine or fee obligations that must be paid or extinguished in order for a Returning Citizen to register to vote.
  • As appropriate, assisting in preparation of: (a) a request for an Advisory Opinion from the Division of Elections, to confirm eligibility to vote; or (b) a Motion to Modify Sentence to be filed in Florida Circuit Court, to request a waiver or reduction of financial obligation.

The voter registration work will be in-person work at scheduled events. The legal pro bono work will be remote with flexible hours.

If you wish to be part of this work, here are next steps:

  1. Contact Mary C. Fahy, Esq., Skelton, Willis & Wallace, LLP ( [email protected]). to let her know that you wish to participate.
  1. Become a member of the League of Women Voters (required for LWV voter registration volunteers). Membership is free for students. Here’s the link to join: https://lwvspa.org/join/.
  1. Attend LWV voter registration training and take a quiz after the training. There will be a Zoom training offered on Wednesday, September 11 from 5-6 pm.  Here is the link to sign up for the training: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TSIGmatbc0kVjmQM3sAR8iCSZurmaS-t1vwYbgwntCE/edit?gid=62837302#gid=62837302. The training will be recorded for those who can’t attend.
  1. Attend the LWV of FL training to provide assistance to Returning Citizens who need help determining their eligibility to vote. The training is recorded, so you can view it on your own schedule. You can sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchb5r_LfxLqG4e_TUXKpdLHCk-LZlATpqAXHIzMThxi7FEGg/viewform

You’ll receive nonlegal pro bono credit for the LWV voter registration training and service and legal pro bono credit for your LWV Returning Citizen training and service.

If you have questions, please contact Mary C. Fahy, Esq., Skelton, Willis & Wallace, LLP ( [email protected]).

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