Only in Florida, Felon qualifies as a candidate
Jose N. Vazquez was able to qualify as a candidate for a state house of representative’s seat.
Vazquez is serving time on a felony conviction. How can someone qualify when they list a prison address as a home address?
Granted I have not looked this case up and the media has only reported the he is serving time for driving with a revoked or suspended license.
State law requires the candidate to live in the district they represent and prohibits felons from running for office until their rights are restored. Is the prison in the area he is running for?
So how does one still incarcerated qualify? Could he have his rights restored while he is still serving time?
This whole restoring rights to felons is ridiculous. Some one running for office needed more vote and figured out that if they restore the felon’s rights they would get more votes.
How pathetic is this? How sad is it to think that we could now have ex-felon’s voting on new laws to effect us.
Of course I wonder how comfortable some House of Representatives members will be with a convicted, rights restored, felon sitting beside them.
He will be a write in candidate. So his name will not be on the ballot.
Now the really funny part of the story is:
Vazquez could not be reached for comment Wednesday since he is in prison.
