Just last week, Florida rights restoration advocates won a huge legal victory. A Federal judge ruled that a law requiring those with prior felony convictions to pay outstanding fines and fees before they register to vote is unconstitutional. The law discriminates against those who are unable to repay court fees and fines.

The watershed decision will no doubt expand the Florida electorate and ensure Returning Citizens, who are disproportionately Black and Brown, can cast a ballot in the state’s upcoming 2020 elections.

Ensuring Floridians with prior felony convictions can register and vote will require robust voter education and advocacy with election officials. We plan to work with our grassroots partners to do both.

This month, Advancement Project National Office will launch its Democratizing Voter Protection (DVP) project Thursday, May 28 at 6:00 p.m. ET. The effort will monitor election changes on the ground and advocate for measures that make it easier for Black and Brown communities to vote. Our inaugural information session will be hosted by Chris Bufford—Advancement Project’s new Democratizing Voter Protection Organizer. Register NOW to attend.

We know that now more than ever, we must remove barriers to voting. With voting rights opponents taking legal action in states like California to block access to vote-by-mail, we must leverage local relationships to build power, identify voting issues and fix them as they arise with election officials. Join us to learn how you can play a key role in making change for communities of color.

Participants will learn how Advancement Project National Office will:

• Develop training curriculum inclusive of holding meetings with Election Officials
• Conduct trainings for Voter Protection Captains
• Support Captains and our partner organizations in executing ongoing accountability efforts, including through policy, organizing, legal and communications strategies.

Plan to join us Thursday and learn how you can ensure your family and community can vote this year.

Is solidarity,

Advancement Project National Office