Calls to Drop Voter Fraud Charges Against Black Woman Gain Support from Civil Rights Leaders and Advocacy Groups

Civil rights activists, including the Tallahassee NAACP and attorney Ben Crump, are calling for the dismissal of felony voter fraud charges against Marsha Ervin, a 69-year-old Black woman in Florida. Ervin, who served a prison sentence for a felony conviction and was released in 2018, allegedly voted while still on probation in the 2020 general and 2022 primary elections. Her attorneys argue that confusion around changes in state law regarding voting rights for people with past felony convictions contributed to the situation. Activists claim that the arrest could have a chilling effect on other voters and criticize the confusing system intentionally put in place.