Hey team,

Republicans have continuously given themselves artificial power so they can advance right-wing priorities that are out of touch with the majority of Americans. As relentless defenders of democracy, we work to hold those bad actors accountable, at the ballot box and in the public eye, so we are excited to launch The NDRC Map of Shame. 

We’re calling out the worst offenders — the most galling efforts to manipulate our democracy, cling to unearned power, and undermine the will of the people. 

This initiative will expose how anti-voter extremists are actively working to dismantle fair representation as a part of a coordinated effort by Republicans across the country — on both the state and federal levels. 

Our first ever NDRC Map of Shame offender is… 🥁Florida’s Congressional Map championed by Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida!

The NDRC is holding anti-democracy actors accountable for their efforts to undermine voters. Donate to power our work. 

Ron DeSantis has boasted a shameful record of suppressing the will of the people, championing and signing multiple laws that restrict voting rights and attack democracy. 

Breaking down his anti-voter tenure is a bit of a doozy, so bear with us:

DeSantis Undermines Amendment 4
In 2018, Floridians voted to pass Amendment 4 to restore voting rights to roughly 1 million former felons in Florida. But in 2019, DeSantis and his extremist allies undercut the amendment through S.B. 7066, which required a full payment of all fines and fees before voting rights were restored. With no way of tracking debts and many unable to afford the fines, an estimated 774,000 Floridians were blocked from registering.

DeSantis Targets Vote-by-Mail and Voter Assistance
In 2021, DeSantis signed S.B. 90 into law, restricting several voting access points. It barred non-poll workers from handing out food and water to folks waiting in line, shortened the window for absentee ballot requests, and imposed restrictions on the ballot drop box period. A judge ruled that this did violate the Voting Rights Act (VRA), but far-right Floridian officials challenged the decision. The case is under review in a federal appeals court. 

DeSantis Weaponizes Voter Fraud Hysteria
In 2022, DeSantis signed S.B. 524 into law, which banned ranked choice voting and imposed stricter ID requirements for mail-in ballots. At his urging, the law also created an election police force to investigate supposed fraud. Shortly after its enactment, 20 people were arrested for allegedly casting illegal ballots. But it was soon discovered that many of these individuals genuinely thought they were eligible and even received voter registration cards from DeSantis’ administration. It was a clear move to attempt to scare voters. 

That same year, DeSantis gutted a Black opportunity district by pushing a discriminatory congressional map that deliberately split Black voters in North Florida — dividing them across districts and disenfranchising them intentionally. Our fair maps movement built public opposition to the map, and despite a ruling that said the map violated the Florida Constitution, the map was able to be used in the 2022 election and was still upheld by the Florida Appeals Court. 

A DeSantis Power Grab
In 2023, after local prosecutors and judges rejected many of DeSantis’ election crime cases, he pushed through S.B. 4B, which gave his anti-voter extremist buddy, the Republican Attorney General, control over these cases. It was a blatant power grab to bypass any checks and balances to advance his efforts to suppress voters. 

DeSantis Targets Petition Drives in Attack on Direct Democracy
Just two months ago, in May, DeSantis signed H.B. 1205 into law, which creates unnecessary restrictions on who can circulate petitions, adds cumbersome ID requirements, and subjects groups to extreme penalties for simple administrative mistakes that could even result in prison time.

We know this was a lot to take in Hey team, but unfortunately for them, radicals like DeSantis deserve all of the heat we’re bringing. 

By making a donation to the NDRC, you’re powering our fight against extremists like Ron DeSantis. Our Map of Shame is just getting started, and with your support, we’ll expose attacks on free and fair elections and hold anti-democracy politicians accountable in every area across the country.

Thanks,

NDRC Team

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Since 2017, the NDRC has executed a comprehensive redistricting strategy that shifts the redistricting power, creating fair districts where Democrats can compete. Our victories have been made possible by our strong community of grassroots supporters.

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