Title:October 19, 2022
In the United States, in the state of Florida, the Tampa Bay Times newspaper obtained a video in which an image shows police officers arresting people for voting. In 2018, Florida voted overwhelmingly in favor of a voting initiative that allows people who have been imprisoned on felony convictions to regain their right to vote. However, the law excludes residents who have been convicted of murder or serious sexual offences. Those arrested said Florida officials encouraged them to vote and were not notified of this exemption, which was also not explained on the voter registration form. These are the words spoken by a Tampa resident, Tony Patterson, and the arresting officer, according to footage captured by police body cameras.
police 1: “I guess you have a court order.”
Tony Patterson: “So that?”.
police 1: “I am not sure”.
police 2: “For matters relating to voting”.
police 1: “For voters …”.
police 2: “I believe officers from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement spoke to you last week about voter fraud, related to your vote, when you probably shouldn’t have voted.”
Tony Patterson: “This is crazy, man. They imprisoned me for something I didn’t know. Why do they let me choose if I can’t choose?
The arrests seen in body camera footage are from August 18 and are being handled by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis’ Bureau of Elections and Security Crimes. Of the 19 people arrested that day, twelve registered as Democratic voters and at least 13 were black.
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