TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — New laws are being fired after changing how a citizen-led voting initiative works in Florida. Critics say it’s unconstitutional and they plan to continue to challenge the law in court.
Even before the session began, it was a top priority for Governor DeSantis, raising his goal in January and calling for special sessions to tackle immigration reform, the condo crisis and the citizen-led petition process.
“Our constitution should not be sold to the highest bidder, so reform is needed,” DeSantis said.
As the bill went through the committee and headed towards the House and Senate floors, several lawmakers and Floridians continued to oppose it.
“HB 1205 is not about protecting democracy, it’s about silencing it. It’s about locking doors to people’s processes and throwing away the key,” said Rep. Bracy Davis (D-Ocoee).
The new law will implement felony charges that include more than 25 petitions without registering, a 10-day deadline for returning those petitions, and a deadline fine, and establish eligibility restrictions that make it impossible for American citizens, Florida residents to have an unresurrected felony conviction.
“Our initiative process is a citizen-led initiative process and we need to protect that process for the citizens of Florida’s great state,” said Rep. Parsons-Murika, Jenna.
Now, as they challenge that very law, the petition group claims that the language of the bill is ambiguous, intimidating and unconstitutional.
“HB 1205, this is not a policy adjustment, it’s a deliberate attempt to silence people on a daily basis,” Florida executive director Mitch Emerson decided on healthcare.
US District Judge Mark Walker largely rejected a request by the petition group to block some of the new laws. Some groups have pledged to win this decision and double down to protect the voices of people.
“I consider the judge’s decision last week to be a big positive first step in a long journey. It confirms what we’ve been saying all along, and this law is unconstitutional and an over-powered move,” Emerson said. “Judge Walker has broken one of the most dangerous parts of the law: criminal penalties that allowed volunteers to punish volunteers for community support. It’s a great relief for people on earth.”
