- New law imposes felony charges for collecting >25 petitions without state registration
- Medicaid expansion campaign estimates $2.3M in added compliance costs
- 98K signatures collected toward 880K goal since March 2024
- Florida voters previously passed 6 citizen initiatives since 2002
- Law bars 1.4M Floridians with felony convictions from petition circulation
Progressive organizers are fighting what they call a direct assault on direct democracythrough new federal litigation targeting HB 7037. The controversial legislation signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 8th introduces what critics describe as the nation's most restrictive ballot initiative requirements. At stake: Floridians' ability to bypass legislators through constitutional amendments - a process used successfully to enact minimum wage increases and medical marijuana legalization.
Campaign finance records reveal grassroots initiatives now require 38% more funding compared to 2022 standards due to mandatory paid circulator ratios and shortened submission windows. Florida Decides Healthcare (FDH) reports losing 62% of volunteer collectors since the law's announcement, forcing reliance on professional firms charging $8-$12 per signature. This isn't reform - it's ransom,said FDH director Mitch Emerson, whose team faces February 2025 deadlines.
Legal analysts highlight parallels to 2021 Arizona petition restrictions overturned by the Ninth Circuit. However, Florida's law uniquely combines criminal penalties (third-degree felonies for unregistered collectors) with expanded personal data requirements. Voters must now provide either driver's license numbers or full Social Security digits on petitions - a provision opponents argue violates privacy rights.
The Southern Poverty Law Center's regional case study shows similar 2022 restrictions in Mississippi increased petition rejection rates by 41% through technical requirements. Florida's legislation goes further by banning participation from residents without voting rights restoration - disproportionately impacting Black communities where 23% of adults have felony records.
Republican sponsors claim the changes combat out-of-state meddling,though state data shows 89% of 2023 petition signers were Florida-registered voters. Political scientists note the timing follows successful progressive initiatives: 68% of voters supported 2020's $15 minimum wage measure, while 62% backed 2024's abortion rights proposal that narrowly missed the 60% threshold.
Industry insights reveal three underreported impacts: 1) Corporate lobbyists increasingly fund opposition to citizen initiatives pre-qualification 2) Seven states have copied Florida's model legislation since 2023 3) Ballot printing contracts now require 14-month lead times due to verification complexities
With oral arguments scheduled for August 2024, this case could redefine citizen lawmaking in America's third-most populous state. As FDH's Emerson warns: They're not just changing rules - they're dismantling the playbook communities used to overcome legislative stagnation.
