LeBron James’ ‘More Than A Vote’ Initiative to Donate $100,000 to Help Former Felons Vote in Florida

More Than A Vote and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition have announced a collaboration that intends to assist in securing voting rights for former felons living in the state of Florida, according to a press release.

Los Angeles Lakers’ player LeBron James announced last month that he and several other professional athletes have launched a charitable organization to protect black Americans’ voting rights.

More Than A Vote is raising $100,000 in direct contributions for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC)’s fines and fees fund. The fund provides financial assistance to former felons in Florida who must pay outstanding fees and fines that are associated with their felony convictions before they are eligible to vote. More Than A Vote has also partnered with Magnolia Pictures and Participant in hosting an ongoing online screening of John Lewis: Good Trouble. The new documentary chronicles the life of the
late civil rights activist and the proceeds from the screening will going directly to the FRRC’s fines and fees fund. Athletes and artists from More Than A Vote (MTAV) will help promote the screening as well.

The right to vote should not come with a price tag. #MoreThanAVote @morethanavote is stepping up to help @FLRightsRestore’s efforts to pay these fines and restore our democracy: https://t.co/48p39iS1fA pic.twitter.com/mbhoLeVgii

— More Than A Vote (@morethanavote) July 24, 2020

“We believe that your right to vote shouldn’t depend upon whether or not you can pay to exercise it, which is why More Than A Vote is proud to partner with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to ensure that formerly incarcerated American citizens—many of them Black and brown—are able to pay their outstanding fines and fees and register to vote in the 2020 election and beyond,” said Miami Heat Forward and More Than A Vote Member Udonis Haslem.

“This partnership will improve lives and strengthen our democracy,” said Desmond Meade, executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. “FRRC is thrilled to partner with More Than A Vote to help Florida’s returning citizens pay off their fines and fees, complete their sentence and move forward with their lives. We look forward to the positive impact it will have on our communities and the lives of those who are hoping to vote and have their voices heard.”