ORLANDO, FL — April 19, 2023 — The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) opposes the election bills (Senate Bill 7050 and House Proposed Committee Bill SAC 23-01), which moved closer to becoming law this week and are scheduled to continue moving forward in the days ahead.

FRRC led Amendment 4, the constitutional amendment campaign that restored voting rights for 1.4 million people with felony convictions in Florida in 2018. FRRC issues a statement in response to the legislation:

“FRRC is opposed to the bill due to concerns with provisions in the bill that make it harder for third-party voter registration organizations to register people to vote and the addition of the following language to voter ID cards:

“This card is for information purposes only. This card is proof of registration but is not legal verification of the eligibility to vote. It is the responsibility of a voter to keep his or her eligibility status current.”

Changing the law and adding such a disclaimer to Florida’s Voter ID cards is a direct admission by the state that they are unwilling or incapable of creating a centralized voter system to determine voter eligibility. If Florida desires to become the “Gold” standard of election integrity, it must start with fixing what’s broken, not painting over it with more legislation. We believe creating a centralized voter registration system is the answer, not creating confusing laws or spending tax dollars to investigate and prosecute Florida citizens from all walks of life. Regardless of political affiliation or race, everyone should be able to enjoy the full benefits of democracy.”

— Desmond Meade, Executive Director, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition
— Neil Volz, Deputy Director, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition

The State Affairs Committee in the House voted to advance PCB SAC 23-01 in its meeting today. SB 7050 will be voted on by the Senate Fiscal Committee at its next meeting Thursday, April 20, at 9:30 a.m. If the legislation moves forward, it would go into effect on July 1, 2023.

ORLANDO, FL — April 19, 2023 — The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC) opposes the election bills (Senate Bill 7050 and House Proposed Committee Bill SAC 23-01), which moved closer to becoming law this week and are scheduled to continue moving forward in the days ahead.

FRRC led Amendment 4, the constitutional amendment campaign that restored voting rights for 1.4 million people with felony convictions in Florida in 2018. FRRC issues a statement in response to the legislation:

“FRRC is opposed to the bill due to concerns with provisions in the bill that make it harder for third-party voter registration organizations to register people to vote and the addition of the following language to voter ID cards:

“This card is for information purposes only. This card is proof of registration but is not legal verification of the eligibility to vote. It is the responsibility of a voter to keep his or her eligibility status current.”

Changing the law and adding such a disclaimer to Florida’s Voter ID cards is a direct admission by the state that they are unwilling or incapable of creating a centralized voter system to determine voter eligibility. If Florida desires to become the “Gold” standard of election integrity, it must start with fixing what’s broken, not painting over it with more legislation. We believe creating a centralized voter registration system is the answer, not creating confusing laws or spending tax dollars to investigate and prosecute Florida citizens from all walks of life. Regardless of political affiliation or race, everyone should be able to enjoy the full benefits of democracy.”

— Desmond Meade, Executive Director, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition
— Neil Volz, Deputy Director, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition

The State Affairs Committee in the House voted to advance PCB SAC 23-01 in its meeting today. SB 7050 will be voted on by the Senate Fiscal Committee at its next meeting Thursday, April 20, at 9:30 a.m. If the legislation moves forward, it would go into effect on July 1, 2023.