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LeBron James’ voting rights group is helping ex-felons vote in Florida

By Emily Adams

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Staples Center on March 03, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Staples Center on March 03, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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LeBron’s organization More Than a Vote plans to pay off the debts and fines of disenfranchised ex-felons.

In June, LeBron James founded the voting rights group More Than a Vote with fellow NBA stars including Trae Young, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Jalen Rose, and they recently announced they will be donating $100,000 to help people with felony convictions register to vote. James has been a leading voice for athlete activism amid the racial justice movements that have followed the wrongful killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May.

According to Politico, the group’s donation is going directly to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, which was instrumental in lifting the state’s lifetime voting ban for anyone with a felony conviction on their record back in 2018. However, Florida later passed a law that required ex-felons to pay any outstanding court fees or fines before they could register to vote, which is what James’ group’s funding will help to combat.

More Than a Vote focuses on promoting voting rights in BIPOC communities, especially among Black people. The felon disenfranchisement laws in Florida disproportionately affect Black people, who are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. According to ProCon.org, more than 23% of Black voters in Florida are affected by felon disenfranchisement.

James and the rest of his group are using their massive platforms and wealth to take real, implementable actions. Sports teams and leagues have been criticized for taking only performative steps in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, but More Than a Vote’s financial commitment to protecting the rights of Black Americans speaks volumes.

James hasn’t limited his advocacy work to just voting rights. He has called for justice for Breonna Taylor, who was killed by Louisville Police while sleeping in her home, several times in recent weeks and has been a vocal supporter of peaceful protests during the national anthem at sporting events. The King knows that the entire country listens when he speaks up, and he consistently uses that power fight for people far less fortunate that he is, and that’s what truly makes him the GOAT.

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