Twenty Floridians were arrested and charged with voter fraud after casting a vote despite being convicted of murder or sexual assault,Governor Ron DeSantismade the announcement on Thursday.
"These people voted illegally in this case. There will be other grounds for other indictments in the future," the Republican said at a news conference, adding, "Important was teased as "announcement.
Under the Sunshine State Constitution, convicted felons are automatically reinstated to vote upon completing their sentence.
"They couldn't get their rights back, but they voted anyway," he said. "It is against the law and now they will pay the price."
The 20 defendants, whose names have not been released, face fines of $5,000 and up to five years in prison if convicted.
Most illegal voters cast ballots in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, the governor said. But some defendants also voted in other parts of the state.
The arrests were the first major operation carried out by the state's electoral crimes and security department, and DeSantis called the agency amid harsh criticism this year. was launched.
Twenty years after his recount debacle during the 2000 presidential election, Florida has earned a reputation for fast and smooth ballot counting, and many People are questioning the need for special forces. election fraud.
On Thursday, DeSantis claimed the votes were being conducted by "illegal aliens" or people who voted in two jurisdictions at the same time, and hinted at further prosecutions.
"Now it is clear that the primary is scheduled for Tuesday and the general election will be held in November," the governor said. “Everything we legislate lives on and truly protects voter integrity.”
Florida's primaries will be held on Aug. 23 as Democrat voters seek to deny DeSantis a second term as their candidate To.
The governor, a staunch conservative and a long-time advocate of making elections safer, has emerged as the 2024 Republican presidential candidate.
Just last month, a Michigan poll found that DeSantis and former President Donald Trump were just 3 percentage points ahead of each other in the virtual primary.
Like Trump, DeSantis has yet to formally announce a presidential run.