Republican Party of Florida joins ballot initiative lawsuit in federal court
The Joseph Woodrow Hatchett U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Tallahassee, Sept. 27, 2022. (Photo by Michael Moline/Florida Phoenix)
A federal court has given the Republican Party of Florida the green light to intervene in the legal challenge to Florida's recently enacted law (HB 1205) overhauling the processes used to collect signatures for ballot initiatives.
'We're pleased the court has recognized our stake in defending Florida's election integrity laws. This is an important first step in securing transparency, accountability, and the millions of Floridians,' Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power said in a prepared release.
'We will continue fighting to protect the integrity of Florida's ballot and ensure voters are informed and confident in the process.'
Florida Decides Healthcare and Smart & Safe Florida have challenged the new law — which was a top priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis — on ground that it violates their rights to free speech and due process.
Florida Decides is working to put before the voters in November 2026 a proposed constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid to lower income childless adults, as allowed under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. Smart & Safe Florida wants to put an amendment to legalize marijuana for adults on the ballot in November 2026.
Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker listened to about three hours of testimony late last week on Florida Decides' and Smart & Safe Florida's request that he block certain provisions of the law while the legal challenge moves ahead — including a requirement that sponsors turn in completed petitions within 10 days after the voter signs the petition, as well as stepped up fines and criminal penalties.
Florida legislators passed the law after citizens' initiatives to allow abortion and recreational pot nearly passed last November. Critics contend that the new law — with all of its restrictions on groups and who can collect signatures — will make it nearly impossible for outside organizations to ever place an initiative on the ballot in the future.
Supporters argue the law targets fraud in the initiative process.
It's the first legal skirmish over Florida's new ballot initiative restrictions
In court hearing, attorneys debate palatability of new restrictions on citizens' initiatives
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