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@nbc6Progressive advocates have filed a federal lawsuit challenging new restrictions on Florida’s process to get citizen-driven initiatives on the ballot before voters. https://t.co/x0YLW1SXbY
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Lawsuit Challenges Florida's HB 1205, Aimed at 2026 Ballot and Medicaid Expansion
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Progressive advocates, including Florida Decides Healthcare, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Elias Law Group, have filed a federal lawsuit challenging new restrictions imposed by Florida's HB 1205 on the process for getting citizen-driven initiatives on the ballot. The lawsuit targets a law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, aimed at the 2026 ballot, which includes measures such as reducing the time allowed to submit signed petitions from 30 days to 10, mandating that petition circulators register and be U.S. citizens and Florida residents without felony convictions, and requiring signers to provide personal information like a driver's license number or part of their Social Security number.
Critics, including Mitch Emerson of Florida Decides Healthcare, argue that these changes make it nearly impossible for grassroots campaigns to succeed, potentially stifling political speech and violating First Amendment rights. The lawsuit contends that the legislation is overly vague and restricts the ability of citizens to engage in the democratic process.
The case will be heard by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker. Responses to the lawsuit have varied, with DeSantis's Chief of Staff Jason Weida reacting with sarcasm, while Florida GOP Chair Evan Power dismissed it as a political move. The lawsuit seeks to address the new restrictions before the February deadline to collect nearly one million valid signatures for the Medicaid expansion initiative.
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Washington Times Local
@WashTimesLocalProgressive advocates have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging new restrictions on Florida's process to get citizen-driven initiatives on the ballot before voters. https://t.co/548RGLcPEX
The Washington Times
@WashTimesLawsuit challenges new restrictions to getting measures on Florida’s election ballot https://t.co/JuDXv1TYvK https://t.co/xdfpYcAWDz
ABC Action News
@abcactionnewsA new Florida law imposing tougher restrictions on citizen-led ballot initiatives is now the subject of a federal lawsuit. https://t.co/xhoO0pwWmL
Daily Business Review
@dbreviewLawsuit Challenges New Restrictions to Getting Measures on Florida's Election Ballot https://t.co/PDnWmeNrxr
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FOX16 News
@FOX16NewsAn effort to overturn changes to the ballot referendum process hit a roadblock Monday when Attorney General Tim Griffin rejected the group’s proposed ballot title. https://t.co/8BPt57PAjz
The Oklahoman
@TheOklahoman_The legal challenge is in response to the process by which the controversial social studies standards were approved. https://t.co/E85imePIFm
Texoma's Homepage
@TexomasHomepageLawmakers seek to rein in citizen ballot initiatives with new requirements for petitions https://t.co/MuMprixErO
Story Timeline
•Latest version
Lawsuit Challenges Florida's HB 1205, Aimed at 2026 Ballot and Medicaid Expansion
Medicaid Expansion Group Files Federal Lawsuit Against Florida's Ballot Restrictions Signed by Gov. DeSantis, Citing First Amendment Concerns Amid Marijuana Effort
•Original version
Pro-Abortion Group Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Florida Ballot Initiative Restrictions Citing First Amendment Rights
