Gov. Ron DeSantis, who likely benefited from state rules that sharply limit the voting rights of ex-felons, is now considering legislation requiring them to pay all fines, court costs and financial restitution before they can become eligible to vote.

Democrats, including those in Palm Beach County's delegation, voted against the legislation, Senate Bill 7066, which passed the state House and Senate last week on party-line votes.

Opponents argue that SB 7066 would thwart the will of voters who approved Amendment 4, a constitutional amendment that sought to ease restrictions on ex-felon voting.

An investigation by The Palm Beach Post last fall found that the restrictions disproportionately impact minority voters, as they are over-represented among those convicted of felonies. With minorities more likely to vote for Democrats than Republicans, restricting the voting rights of ex-felons has given GOP candidates an important edge in a state known for close elections.

DeSantis, a Republican, became governor after defeating his Democratic rival, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, by 32,000 votes out of more than 8.1 million ballots cast.

His Republican predecessor, Rick Scott, was re-elected in 2014 by a margin of fewer than 64,000 votes out of 5.7 million ballots cast. Four years earlier, Scott was elected governor by a margin of fewer than 62,000 votes out of 5.2 million ballots cast.

Supporters of Amendment 4 believe easing restrictions on ex-felon voting rights would make an additional 1.4 million to 1.5 million Floridians eligible to vote.

"We're talking about adding a significant number of people to the rolls," said state Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach. "That could potentially swing elections in Florida. I say potentially because you don't know if those folks will register, and you don't know who they will vote for."

Powell originally backed SB 7066, but that was before it was amended to require that ex-felons pay court costs, fines and court-ordered financial restitution. Powell voted against the legislation when it reached the Senate floor.

DeSantis has not said publicly whether he will sign SB 7066. He opposed Amendment 4 as a candidate for governor, and he argued that it should not be implemented until lawmakers passed enabling legislation.

Monday, his office did not respond to requests for comment.

Republicans in Florida and across the country have supported a variety of voting restrictions, including closing polling places, requiring identification and approving rules making it difficult for ex-felons to regain their right to vote. Democrats say the tactics are all part of the GOP's political playbook for winning elections.

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., likened the additions to the Florida bill to a "poll tax," a ballot access payment charged throughout the South after the Civil War to limit black voting.

"A poll tax by any other name," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted in March as SB 7066 moved through the Legislature.

Desmond Meade, president of the group that put Amendment 4 on the ballot, said possibly half of those now disqualified might still be unable to vote because of outstanding court costs.

Meade said his organization, the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, may challenge the requirement in court — but for now is urging DeSantis to veto the legislation.

“The governor has the power to demand a more thoughtful bill,” Meade said. “The governor has the power to demand a bill that more closely reflects the will of Florida voters.”

A court fight over SB 7066 would likely come down to an interpretation of Amendment 4, which states in part:

"No person convicted of a felony, or adjudicated in this or any other state to be mentally incompetent, shall be qualified to vote or hold office until restoration of civil rights or removal of disability. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any disqualification from voting arising from a felony conviction shall terminate and voting rights shall be restored upon completion of all terms of sentence including parole or probation."

Democrats argue that "all terms" of sentencing include an ex-felon's prison sentence, parole and probation. Republicans argue that all terms include fines, court costs and court-ordered financial restitution in addition to an ex-felon's prison sentence, parole and probation.

“This is not a situation where somebody has to come up with money to vote,” said state Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa. “It’s completing a sentence.”

Opponents of the legislation, however, argue that it does require ex-felons to pony up if they want to vote.

Micah Kubic, executive director of the ACLU of Florida, blasted the Legislature for passing the bill.

“By passing legislation that undermines Amendment 4, legislators have blatantly ignored the will of 5.1 million Florida voters by restricting the eligibility to vote for thousands of Floridians who have earned their second chance," Kubic said. "Instead of allowing Amendment 4 to take effect, they chose to thwart access to the ballot box and a historic citizens’ initiative that re-enfranchised 1.4 million people."

Kubic said the bill would make it even more difficult for ex-felons to regain their right to vote than it has been under the current system, which requires all felons to go through a rigorous and time-consuming clemency process. He said the legislation would also be hardest on those who can least afford to pay fines and court costs.

"This bill will undoubtedly impact the most vulnerable communities in Florida and has created a barrier to voting that is unconstitutional," Kubic said. "Restricting the right to vote based upon who can afford to pay for it is a blatant attack on our rights."

Not all supporters of the constitutional amendment had intended for ex-felons to be eligible to vote before paying court costs, fines and court-mandated restitution.

During a March 2017 presentation to the Florida Supreme Court, which had been asked to issue an advisory opinion on Amendment 4, justices asked an attorney for a pro-amendment group if the amendment meant ex-felons would have to pay fines before becoming eligible to vote.

"So, it would also include the full payment of any fines," a justice asked Jon Mills, an attorney for Floridians for a Fair Democracy.

"Yes, sir," Mills said. "Yeah, all terms means all terms..."

A justice later asked about restitution, and Mills said restitution would have to be paid.

While pro-amendment forces appear to be divided on fines, fees and court-mandated financial restitution, Meade said the bigger picture is one of substantial progress for ex-felons, whom he describes as "returning citizens."

"We have not lost sight of the fact that Amendment 4 is LAW," he wrote after the Senate passed SB 7066. "It removed a 150-year lifetime ban on voting. We are proud of the thousands of Returning Citizens from all over the state and legislators from both parties who worked to improve this legislation, but we are not there. We call on the Governor to side with the 1.4 million Returning Citizens and insist for better legislation."

John Kennedy of GateHouse Media contributed to this report.