Florida's election police are targeting direct democracy

Florida’s ballot initiative process has long been a beacon of direct democracy, a way for everyday Floridians to make their voices heard when politicians fail to represent their values. This process has enabled the public to pass landmark amendments on issues ranging from minimum wage increases to voting rights.

Amendment 4 — a new constitutional amendment aimed at securing abortion access — underwent a rigorous governmental approval process. But now, the state’s recently created election police force is investigating that same petition process as a tool to attack democracy. The Florida Secretary of State is also pushing highly dubious “fraud” claims while providing no evidence that anything was done wrong.

The amendment process, which allows citizens to propose changes to the state constitution, is legal and a critical part of our democracy. The sheer number of signatures required for an amendment to make it onto the ballot, combined with the hurdles of fundraising and organizing, ensure that only proposals with broad public support can succeed.

The petition drive for Amendment 4 reflects just such a groundswell of public support. But rather than respecting the people’s will, state officials are using law enforcement to quash this effort.

Let’s be clear: This investigation isn’t about anything except power and control.

https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2024/10/17/floridas-election-police-are-targeting-direct-democracy-column/