Places of worship have a long history of civic engagement and breaking down barriers to voting, including education and non-partisan mobilization for ballot amendments. Bills before the Florida Legislature put up hurdles to a valued method of how we have our voices heard. It will make it more difficult or impossible for many community groups to compete on the issues that matter most to them by cutting the ability to fund the petition gathering process.

 

We don’t see the need to change a way that a majority of Floridians of all political affiliations have been accustomed to, and have valued, to have their voices heard. With victories like $15 minimum wage, voting rights restoration, environmental protection and expanding Medicare, the ballot amendment process has led to big wins for all Floridians.