Over the strong objections of one Republican, Florida's clemency board has worked out a deal with Gov. Charlie Crist to allow most felons released from prison to have their voting and other civil rights restored.
Under a rule approved Thursday, all but the most violent felons would avoid the need to get on a long list for a hearing before the board, which sometimes takes years.
I've never understood why felons should be disenfranchised, post-incarceration. While this still makes some convicted of violent felonies get on the list, it's progress.