Dear Kari,

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the inclusion of the Abortion Rights and Legal Marijuana amendments on the ballot for this November’s election. Both of these issues appeal to our demographic and will help drive turnout at a critical moment for democracy in Florida and the nation. Thank you to the thousands of volunteers and paid petition gatherers who worked so hard to collect signatures and thank you, also, to the million plus Floridians who signed the petitions. And thank you, finally, to the professionals who vetted the language of the petitions and left the Florida Supreme Court and those who oppose the amendments no argument for not including them on the ballot.

But the fight is not nearly over.

In 2018, 65% of Florida voters approved Amendment 4, the Voting Rights for Felons Restoration Initiative. We believed we were allowing returning citizens to automatically get their voting rights back. That was the intent. That was what we voted for.

But then, the governor and state legislature got together to throw as many roadblocks in the way as possible. Suddenly, returning citizens had to jump through hoops never intended in the original proposal. The new rules were often impossible to follow and people were charged with felonies just for trying.

Do not think for one minute that the legislature will not attempt the same thing with these two new amendments. Expect to see new licensing and training requirements, zoning restrictions, staffing minimums, facility regulations and every sort of petty roadblock they can think of from waiting periods to “educational/informational” sessions required before using the services. Anything to make it more difficult, time-consuming and expensive in order to discourage people from exercising their rights.

The only way to ensure that these amendments, and their accompanying enabling laws are interpreted the way we, the voters, intend is to vote in Democratic legislators. Republicans will make every effort to gut them. Only Democrats will enforce them.

Protect the intent of your vote. Donate now to elect a Democratic legislature that will honor the plain language of the amendments. Set up a recurring monthly donation of $50 or more to elect Democratic candidates up and down the ballot.

Thank you.

Jim Rosinus

Chair, Democratic Party of Lee County