MIAMI, Fla. – Desmond Meadle, executive director of Florida Rights Restoration Coalition who was the catalyst for restoring voting rights for ex-felons, has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Meadle, who graduated from Florida International University in 2014, said he’s honored to be among the finalists for an award that was won by civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and former U.S. President Barack Obama.

“The Nobel Peace Prize is the highest recognition that any individual organization could receive in the world,” said Meade. “And we want to take advantage of this opportunity to really highlight the power of second chances, that even though people like me have made mistakes in the past, there’s still an opportunity for us to be contributing members of society.”

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to people who have made an impact in their countries on issues like civil society, civil rights, medicine, literature, economic sciences, chemistry, physics and efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between countries.

The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition was nominated for the Nobel by The American Friends Service Committee and Quaker Peace and Social Witness, the groups that successfully nominated King for the prize in 1964.

“We are nominating FRRC for their work in building democracy, supporting the human right to representation by government, and working towards a better organized and peaceful world,” the American Friends Service Committee said in a statement.

Meadle spearheaded a campaign to have ex-felons’ voting rights in Florida automatically restored once they have completed their sentences except those convicted of murder, sexual and violent crimes.

His coalition launched a petition drive to get on the ballot in 2018 and a constitutional amendment was approved by 65 percent of voters.

However, a federal appeals court ruled in 2020 that Florida can bar exfelons from voting if they owe court fines and fees and restitution to the victims linked to their crimes.

But Meadle came through again.

Meade and his Florida Restoration Rights Coalition raised over $3 million to pay off their fines and restitutions allowing them to vote.

"Restoring voting rights to thousands of returning citizens in the state of Florida," Meade said.

Meade spent time behind bars and turned his life around.

He attended FIU’s law school and used his skills to spearhead the campaign which drew state-wide recognition.

He was inducted into Miami-Dade College’s Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Florida of the Year award from former governor and senator Bob Graham and the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at Florida University, and Orange County proclaimed September 10, 2019 as Desmond Meade Day.

"I’m humbled by this recognition," Meade said about the Orange County proclamation. "I give credit to God and all the folks that have shown up at various stages in my life to support the work that God has given me to do."

In 2022, Meade earned FIU’s highest honor as a Torch Award recipient of distinguished alumnus.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee praised Meadle for his efforts and helping ex-cons register for the 2022 midterm elections. "Second chances, voting rights, those topics are not ones to be taken lightly," McGhee said. "We must protect those rights and opportunities at all costs.

"Thank you Office of the State Attorney, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Desmond Meade, and all the great organizations that made this possible. "It will always be my great privilege to support and be part of events that truly make a difference in the lives of the great residents of South Dade."