DeSantis Seeks To Effectively Ban Ballot Initiatives

The Tallahassee Democrat reports:

Florida voters have used the citizens’ initiative process in recent years to usher in medical marijuana, a higher minimum wage and voting rights for those previously convicted of felonies. But their ability to advance future changes wanted by most voters yet opposed or disregarded by state lawmakers could soon be eliminated — if Gov. Ron DeSantis gets his way. DeSantis has called the Republican-controlled Legislature into special session next week on a range of topics he’s put in play.

Under DeSantis’ proposal, citizens’ initiative signature gathering would largely be limited to individual voters signing petitions at a county elections office or submitting their signed petition by mail, like voting can be done now. Banning paid signature gatherers would effectively end citizens’ initiatives, say those associated with ballot campaigns. Republican leaders in the Legislature have long characterized most ballot proposals as an end-run around their authority.

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