LULAC - UNFAIR CHANGES IN FLORIDA VOTING PROCESS
Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Urges Elected Officials to Represent All Floridians.
Washington, DC - Mari Corugedo, Florida State Director of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement in the wake of SB90 passed 23-17 by the Florida state Senate on Monday. The measure calls for tighter vote-by-mail regulations. Still under consideration in the House version are other proposed changes that include ending 24/7 ballot drop boxes. Instead, an elections official would have to monitor the ballot drop-off in person and would only accept ballots during early voting hours. Also, voters wanting to cast their ballot by mail would have to request a mail ballot every election cycle. However, the single most controversial change proposed is that no one but an election worker could distribute items to voters in line, including food and beverages, within 150 feet of polls or drop boxes.
“It is very troubling to see how people who were elected to represent all Floridians have chosen to prioritize making voting harder instead of improving voting access and improving voter participation in all Florida elections. Instead of defending our constitution and voting rights for all Floridians, these legislators have opted to legislate based on the lie of voter fraud to deceive Floridians. Our elected officials should legislate in the best interests of all Floridians and should stand against anything or anyone who opposes voting participation by all Americans, and against any legislation that hurts Floridians.
Floridians are resilient and will fight to correct the wrongs. We will take action to ensure that we have access to the ballot box, that all communities have equity in casting a vote, and that all votes are counted. Our democracy is as strong as we work to make it, and we Floridians will do just that. It’s so important that we all recognize this moment in history. We must demand from our elected senators to vote for the John Lewis Voting Act. Fight against any state that chooses not to defend voting rights for all.”
