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TMZ.com
Michael Bloomberg isn’t the only one donating money to help thousands of ex-felons regain the right to vote in Florida, because the movement is NOT about politics … according to one of its advocates.
Desmond Meade of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition joined us Tuesday on “TMZ Live,” and told us the $25 million his organization raised to allow former felons to vote in the election came from folks across the country … and before Bloomberg donated a dime.
While the billionaire is grabbing headlines for adding $16 mil to pay the court fines and fees necessary for the Sunshine State’s ex-felons to vote … Desmond says his coalition is making an impact thanks to a grassroots approach encompassing over 88,000 donors.
Some of the donors you know, like Ariana Grande, Michael Jordan and LeBron James … but Desmond says lots of non-famous Americans donated their hard-earned money.
The problem with Bloomberg’s name getting attached, Desmond says, is the political spin that follows. He’s adamant none of the ex-felons getting voting rights restored should feel beholden to vote how donors vote.
This is the first time former felons can vote in Florida, thanks to the passage of Amendment 4 back in 2018, and Desmond tells us why it’s beneficial to both sides of the aisle.