Tallahassee Democrat from Tallahassee, Florida • A1

Gov. Ron DeSantis puts environment on center stage as he takes the oath of lanked by his wife and two young children, Ron DeSantis took the oath Tuesday as 46th governor, vowing not to be a during his tenure. Standing at the foot of the steps of the historic Florida Capitol during a morning ceremony that served as the cornerstone of two days of inaugural events, the 40-year-old Repubican placed his hand on the Bible and recited the oath of The governor then turned to a crowd of about 3,000 people attending the swearing-in ceremony. take the helm of the ship of the state as a Flori- da native, a veteran of our military, con- scious of my own mindful of the great trust that has been placed on me and thankful for so many of you who have prayed for DeSantis said. will not be a rudderless vessel in this While his speech did not focus on policy proposals, the new governor put the environment front-and-center, saying water resources ought to be clean, and toxic blue-green algae ought to be fought.

Gov. Ron DeSantis takes the oath of office administered by Chief Justice Charles Canady during the 2019 inauguration ceremony on the steps of the Historic Capitol Building in Tallahassee Tuesday. TAKE TH Gov. DeSantis gives his inaugural speech during the 2019 inauguration ceremony at the Historic Capitol Building. PHOTOS BY TORI DEMOCRAT Ana Ceballos Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK FLORIDA INSIDE Gov.

DeSantis a man in motion on day one, urges lawmakers to be bold. 5A See DESANTIS, Page 6A WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2019 TALLAHASSEE.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Starting quarterback Deondre Francois returning to FSU SPORTS, 1C Volume 114 No. 9 Home delivery pricing inside Subscribe 800-999-2271 0 12409 01050 4 Daily democracy since 1905 Get headlines delivered to your inbox by visiting Tallahassee.com/newsletters Trump team admits repeated mistake about terrorist data. 1B Weather High Low Partly sunny. Forecast, 6C HHH UP TO $818 IN WINN DIXIE SAVINGS Every election season for the past several years, Delmus Calloway accom- panied his wife to the polls.

The former felon and Leon County resident would wait outside. exciting because I go with her ev- ery time, but my voice is not heard," Cal- loway said. "Now, come here to- gether and both of our voices will be heard." Calloway joined about 1.5 million for- merly convicted felons across Florida who could register to vote Tues- day. Throughout the day, activists and ex- felons into the Supervisor of Elec- tions on Apalachee Parkway, adorned with red, white and blue bal- loons. By 4:50 p.m., the center saw 104 former felons register to vote.

Several lingered throughout the day, waiting for friends to arrive to register too, and chatting over refreshments. Registrants received "future voter" stickers, and extra tended to a cor- ner where those who had lost the right to vote because of criminal convictions Ex-felons register: voices will be Carlos Beverly, a previously convicted felon, touches on what having his voting rights restored means. The last time Beverly recalls being able to vote was in 1994. ALICIA More than 100 turn out, seeking restored voting rights Nada Hassanein Tallahassee Democrat USA TODAY NETWORK FLORIDA See VOTING, Page 2A LIMELIGHT EXTRA: FEEL THE DANCE WITH PARSONS DANCE COMPANY TLH, 1D.