Stop Abusive Efforts to Undermine the Will of the People

Target: Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General

Goal: Investigate claims of state-sponsored interference and intimidation of voters in regard to abortion ballot initiative.

Imagine if you signed a petition at ForceChange and, within days, a government official showed up on your doorstep to interrogate you about your signature. This is the reality petition signers in Florida are facing under the administration of Ron DeSantis. Supporters of a ballot initiative to repeal the state’s six-week abortion ban have been subject to questioning from DeSantis’ so-called special election police force. But the exploitative and abusive actions taken to deny the people their say on a major issue have not ended there.

Ever since Amendment 4 began its journey to the November ballot, the DeSantis administration has engaged in a relentless campaign to assure it never reaches voters. Election officials have reportedly spent days attempting to discredit and disqualify already-certified petitions. The Agency for Health Care Administration in the state – stacked with DeSantis appointees – has also inserted itself into the controversy by launching a website aimed at undermining the amendment. And a financial statement crafted by the special interest, anti-abortion Heritage Foundation will appear alongside the measure at the ballot box. Ironically, or perhaps hypocritically, the governor recently proclaimed, “Why would you want to take power away from the people of the state to determine their own destiny?”

Sign the petition below to help ensure that the people of Florida maintain that important power.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Attorney General Garland,

The Florida chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has condemned Governor Ron DeSantis’ attacks on ballot initiative Amendment 4 (regarding state abortion laws) as a “taxpayer-funded misinformation campaign.” But the obstruction of the DeSantis administration has allegedly gone well beyond misinformation. Evidence suggests that the administration has intimidated individuals who signed a petition in support of the ballot initiative, even going so far as to show up on voters’ doorsteps.

Please answer calls to launch an investigation into this potential gross abuse of government power and interference in the democratic process.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Andrea Piacquadio