Michael Bloomberg pays fines for 32,000 people with felony convictions in Florida so they can vote

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has reportedly raised more than $16 million in an effort to help pay the fines for people with felony convictions in Florida register to vote.

The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition estimated Bloomberg’s fundraising efforts has help 32,000, Axios reported.

“The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy and no American should be denied that right,” a Bloomberg spokesperson told the news outlet.

“Working together with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, we are determined to end disenfranchisement and the discrimination that has always driven it.”

Florida passed a law in 2018 restoring voting rights for people with felony convictions. It dictated they could register only if they pay all fines, fees and restitution. This ometimes totaling more than $1,000 owed to the government.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Florida, last week ruled to uphold the law.