As Republicans attack direct democracy across the country, we must fight back — together
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Team,

Earlier this month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an extreme anti-democracy bill into law — enacting new restrictions on the ballot initiative process.

DeSantis has a long, shameful record of suppressing the will of the people, championing and signing multiple laws that restrict voting rights. This latest Republican maneuver makes it nearly impossible for everyday citizens to get constitutional amendments on the ballot. Keep in mind that Florida already had one of the strictest citizen-led ballot constitutional amendment processes in the country.

The new law, House Bill 1205, creates unnecessary restrictions on who can circulate petitions, adds cumbersome ID requirements, and subjects groups to extreme penalties for simple mistakes that could even result in prison time. This radical legislation is designed to prevent people from holding politicians accountable and initiating meaningful change. This is a clear anti-democracy attack, and we’ve got to keep fighting back.

 
 

What’s happening in Florida is a part of a broader Republican strategy to undermine democracy and diminish voting rights across the country.

Just last year in Ohio, voters had the opportunity to pass a ballot initiative to end gerrymandering. But Republicans and outside groups spent millions to confuse voters in order to sabotage it, and it fell short of passage.

And right now in Arizona, Republicans are considering following Florida’s lead by making it more challenging for groups and citizens to pass ballot amendments.

Republicans are doing whatever they can to make it harder for voters to make their voices heard.

We must come together to double down on our efforts for a truly representative democracy, fair representation, and fair maps in every state across the country. But we need your help. If you’re with us, will you make a donation to the NDRC to power this work?

Thank you,

The NDRC Team