TALLAHASSEE, Fl. - Yesterday, ahead of a closely watched voting rights trial set to begin on July 20, a coalition of racial justice organizations submitted a trial brief documenting the gross inaction of the state of Florida in making voting changes amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The case against the state of Florida to ensure free, fair and safe elections was filed last spring by Advancement Project National Office, Demos, and LatinoJustice PRLDEF on behalf of Dream Defenders, New Florida Majority, and Organize Florida.
“The burden is on the state of Florida to ensure that, given the coronavirus and the unprecedented times we're in, that people have access to the ballot,” said Rachel Gilmer, Co-Director of Dream Defenders. “Not having fair and equitable access to the ballot is a problem across political party, across communities, across race and across class. And the state has made no changes.”
"With the surge in COVID-19 cases, the least our state can do is take special measures to ensure safe elections for everyone. The fact that we have to take legal action against the state of Florida for people to vote, shows how deeply rooted voter suppression really is,” said Moné Holder, Senior Program Director of Policy, Advocacy and Research at New Florida Majority. “We are willing to go above and beyond to make sure all Floridians, especially voters in Black and brown communities can participate in democracy.”
The complaint requests an expanded early voting period and modifications to Florida’s vote-by-mail system. The complaint also requests changes to the online voter registration process, among other requests.
“The state of Florida should be making it easier for people to register to vote. Right now voters must have a signature on file with the state to register online to vote, which means there's many people who do not have access to a printer and cannot register with the state because their online signature is not part of it,” said Stephanie Porta, Executive Director of Organize Florida.
“Florida is the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic and the epicenter of the voter suppression epidemic,” said Gilda Daniels, Litigation Director of Advancement Project National Office. “Florida’s long-standing history of racial discrimination against people of color has blocked access to the ballot box for generations. We simply demand the state fulfill its obligation to ensure Floridians can safely participate in elections that are free, fair and accessible.”
