The Daily Show: Ears Edition - ICYMI - Florida's Battle Over Restoring Voting Rights

Episode Date: October 5, 2020

Roy Wood Jr. talks to Desmond Meade, executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, about his fight to restore voting rights to people who've served time for felonies. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're listening to Comedy Central. When 60 Minutes premiered in September 1968, there was nothing like it. This is 60 Minutes. It's a kind of a magazine for television. Very few have been given access to the treasures in our archives. But that's all about to change. Like none of this stuff gets looked at. That's what's incredible. I'm Seth Done of CBS News. Listen to 60 Minutes, a second look, starting September 17th, wherever you get your podcasts. Florida, it gets a bad rap for crazy senior citizens, crystal death,

gator attacks, toxic algae, marlago, sinkholes, oh, and lightning strikes. But now, it's also making a name for itself for giving ex-felons their right to vote that. The Sunshine State just gained more than 1 million voters. Voters agree to restore voting rights to convicted felons except murderers and sexual offenders. It was one of the many amendments on the ballot, Amendment 4. Desmond Mead is the director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition that helped pass Amendment 4.4 million people back voting, boom, bam, mission accomplished. Good job, brood. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. We had legislatures in Florida mandated the payment of fines and fees before they're able to register the vote. I see why Florida's shaped like a dick, because he... Oh, I was trying to f-f-f-a the f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-a-f-a-f-f-a-a-a-f-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a, the-aul-a, the-aul-a, the-a, the-a, the-a-a-a, the-a, the-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a, th. th. the the the the th. the the the the the the the the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the the the the the-a-a-a-a-a-a, the-a-a, the-a, the-a, th. th. thii. thi. thi. thi. thi. thin. thi. thi. thin. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi deck, because they always trying to f-c-y over.

That's right. The Republican-controlled legislature swooped in to ruin the party by making re-enfranchised voters pay for the right to vote. Why you ask? Laws that these politicians put in place adversely impact people who are poor and minority communities. So basically this bill affects black Democrats. This law affects people from all walks of life, from all political persuasions.

And at the end of the day, we live in a state where presidential election have been decided by less than 600 votes, right? So this effort is entirely nonpartisan and not aimed at helping poor black people? I didn't believe Desmond. And then I met Gary. Man, let me tell you, if it wasn't for the coalition, you know, it would be very difficult for me to do that and be able to vote in November. I think it's very important for everybody out there in with that record to move on.

Forget about your past and try to improve your life from there on out. When I was 60 years old, put myself through college, I can do it. I can do it. They can do it. Well, that's great. So now you can get out there and vote for the Democratic nominee, Joe Biden. I'm voting for Trumping th sorry, you say what? I'm voting for Trump. Hang on a second, man. This is a connection. You're breaking up. I know who did you say you voting for? I voted for Donald Trump. And it's not just Gary. His wife, Erica is on the Trump train too. I voted for Trump in 2016 and I will vote for Trump in 2020. Well, thank goodness you can vote for a Republican in spite of Republicans trying to block you from

voting for a Republican. Absolutely. Amen. Right on. But a disproportionate number of returning citizens that would get the right to vote again are black. Don't you think having a law in the books that mandates that they pay fines and fees first is a little, just a little racist?

I don't believe that at all. Can I answer that? Oh, absolutely. I say no. You want to know why? All lives matter. We all believe the same. We're all children of God.

Our best friends are black. Do you know Gary sung at their wedding? Man, I was the only tracker there. Gary, I'm happy that you had your right to vote restored, and I hope you execute that right to vote at the polls on November 12th. And then November 3rd? I promise you it that right to vote at the polls on November 12th. Isn't it November 3rd? I promise you, itto the Daily Show on YouTube for exclusive content and more. This has been a Comedy Central Podcast.

When 60 Minutes premiered in September 1968, there was nothing like it. This is 60 Minutes. It's a kind of a magazine for television. Very few have been given access to the treasures in our archives. But that's all about to change. Like none of this stuff gets looked at. That's what's incredible. I'm Seth Done of CBS News. Listen to 60 Minutes a second look on Apple podcasts starting September 17.