Bloomberg pays off more than $20m in debt for 31,000 felons so they can vote in Florida

Billionaire Mike Bloomberg has paid off $20million in debt for more than 31,000 felons in Florida so that they can vote in the state where just 537 votes decided the presidential election in 2000. The former Democratic presidential candidate stepped in to help felons who have completed their prison sentences so they can vote on November 3. Bloomberg, who is worth more than $50billion, raised more than $20million to assist in his endeavor while also pledging $100million to help Joe Biden win Florida. 'We know to win Florida we will need to persuade, motivate and add new votes to the Biden column. This means we need to explore all avenues for finding the needed votes when so many votes are already determined,' Bloomberg said in a written statement. A Bloomberg adviser told the Washington Post: 'Mike wanted to get this done for two reasons. One, because it’s the right thing to do for the democracy. And two, because it immediately activates tens of thousands of voters who are predisposed to vote for Joe Biden.'The case could have broad implications for the November elections. Florida has 29 electoral college votes that are crucial to President Donald Trump's hopes of staying in the White House. The money is targeted for felons who registered to vote while the law was in question and who owe $1,500 or less. That accounts for about 31,100 people, the staffers said. In a state that decided the 2000 presidential election by 537 votes, that could be critical in a year when polls show Trump and Biden in a dead heat...MORE