September 06, 2007
'I'm reborn ... voting rights and all'
Alan Crotzer showed up at the Leon County Supervisor of Elections Office with a dog-eared voting card already in his wallet. But it was worthless.
Crotzer registered to vote after being released from prison last year, only to have his rights rescinded, voiding his voting card. On Thursday afternoon, he signed up for a new one. A video of his interview with reporters is here.
"It's happening. It's happening," Crotzer exclaimed after completing the paperwork to the cheers of his supporters. "I'm reborn, American citizen, voting rights and all."
Crotzer, 46, spent more than 24 years in prison on a rape conviction before being cleared by DNA evidence. The former St. Petersburg resident now lives in Tallahassee with his new wife and her two teenagers. He recently got a job with landscaping business.
His light green work shirt was brimmed with sweat as he stepped into the cool elections office shortly after 12:30 p.m. Crotzer approached the desk and politely asked for a registration form. He spelled his name and gave his date of birth, then checked off his desired political affiliation, Democrat.
more...
http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2007/09/im-reborn-ameri.html