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FL Amendment 1 explanation

We have gotten several inquiries about Amendment 1.  Reading it at face value, people are confused as to why we are not supporting "citizens" voting.  We do believe that you have to be a citizen to vote in any election.  This amendment is not needed because it is already a law on the books.  Just wanted to give some additional clarification.  It seems that this amendment wants to redefine what a citizen means ie. natural-born or naturalized.  We believe all citizens have the right to vote.


It can be confusing but here is why we are not supporting that amendment.  It is already a law that only citizens can vote in federal, state, and local elections.  We certainly believe that only citizens should have the right to vote in US elections.  What this amendment wants to do is to set up the eventual removal of the rights of naturalized citizens to vote.  


Florida Amendment 1, the Citizen Requirement for Voting Initiative, is on the ballot in Florida as an initiated constitutional amendment on November 3, 2020.[1][2]

  • "yes" vote supports amending the Florida Constitution to state that “only a citizen” of the U.S. who is 18 years old or older can vote in Florida.

  • "no" vote opposes amending the Florida Constitution, thus keeping the existing language that says “every citizen” of the U.S. who is 18 years old or older can vote in Florida.

We generally as a rule oppose additional amendments where there is already a law in place that covers the issue.  


If you need any additional information on the amendments, please go to https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_2020_ballot_measures


Barbara Scott

Chair-Pinellas Democratic Party

www.pinellasdemocrats.com

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