Here's something you can do today to help SAVE democracy
Read this, then share it with a friend--or friends. You can make a difference.
Republicans in Congress are working furiously to undermine our ability to vote in the midterm elections.
They know that the larger the turnout in November, the greater the odds they will lose control of Congress.
Here at the state level, Gov. Ron DeSantis has already announced plans to call a special session of the state Legislature in April to further gerrymander congressional districts to favor Republicans, even though 20 of the 28 representatives our state sends to Washington, D.C. are already from the G.O.P.
And bills being considered in the state Legislature right now would make it more difficult to register to vote by demanding additional proof of citizenship, such as birth certificates or passports or marriage licenses—documents that can be expensive and challenging to obtain for some people.
These restrictions mirror the national SAVE Act that has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is now in the Senate.
Florida Democrats and others concerned about the future of our democracy are being urged to call Washington and protest.
Here’s a message I received this morning from Jane Schlechtweg, the chair of the Collier County Democratic Executive Committee. She spells the issue out perfectly, so I’m just going to pass it along for your consideration with only some slight editing for length:
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is now under consideration in the U.S. Senate. The Senate will determine whether this legislation moves forward, and your voice is critical.
The SAVE Act requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to verify citizenship status using federal databases and to remove some eligible individuals from voter rolls.
While protecting election integrity is important, documentary proof requirements can create barriers for eligible voters:
Many Americans do not have ready access to citizenship documents. Passports are costly, and obtaining certified birth certificates can be difficult, especially for seniors, rural residents, married individuals whose names have changed, and low-income citizens.
Database errors can wrongly flag eligible voters. Mismatches and outdated records can prevent lawful voters from registering.
Past experience raises concerns. When similar requirements were implemented in Kansas, tens of thousands of eligible citizens were blocked from registering before courts halted the policy.
Voting is a fundamental right. Policies that risk disenfranchising eligible voters deserve careful scrutiny.
How This Connects to Florida Legislation:
Florida voter restriction proposals HB 991 and SB 1334 would add new barriers and administrative hurdles affecting voter registration and participation in our state. While these state bills differ in scope, they reflect a broader trend of proposals that increase documentation requirements, restrict registration access, and heighten the risk that eligible voters could be wrongly removed from the rolls.
The SAVE Act represents a federal expansion of similar restrictive approaches, making it even more important to speak out now.
Take Action Now: Call your U.S. Senators and urge them to vote NO on the SAVE Act.
Contact Info:
Senator Rick Scott: DC Office: 202-224-5274 or use this contact form: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Senator Ashly Moody: DC Office: 202-224-3041 or use this contact form: https://www.moody.senate.gov/contact-us/
Senate Majority Leader John Thune: (202) 224-2321 or use this contact form: https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
I’ll make a friendly amendment to Jane’s request:
Share this post with your friends. This newsletter extends far beyond Collier County where I happen to live, reaching all of Florida’s 67 counties and more than 750,000 readers.
Each of you receiving this can act as a multiplier by simply forwarding this email to a friend—or friends. Or by using the SHARE feature below.
People frequently write and ask: “What can I do?” The most important things we can do are spread the word, increase awareness, and motivate people to become engaged.
It starts with sharing the news, which is why I am doing this. Please, consider playing an active role, yourself, by passing this newsletter along.
Thank you.
J.C. Bruce
Related:
Florida likely to pass voter citizenship bills, how to get ready now
Election bills to require stricter voter registration checks in Florida near final votes
J.C. Bruce is the founder of Tropic Press, a Florida online news service dedicated to sharing news and commentary relevant to Florida readers, whether it originates in the Sunshine State or elsewhere. Bruce is an award-winning former newspaper editor, journalist and author living in Florida, his native state.
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As this newsletter was written, Tropic Press was reaching more than 750,000 subscribers in Florida and elsewhere. With mid-term elections on the horizon, the more people we reach, the more effective we can be in helping turn this country around. You can play a vital role in that effort by sharing this newsletter with friends. If you are reading this as an email, simply forward it. Or you can use the link below. Thanks.
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Thanks I emailed all of them!
The 5 calls app is free and makes it easy to directly call your assigned representatives based on your zip code. It populates the most pertinent issues by zip code, then has scripts and the way to dial directly from the app. I highly recommend it if you want an easy way to contact anyone relevant.