Florida Law Cripples Citizen Ballot Initiatives | JQJO

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new law imposing stricter regulations on citizen-led ballot initiatives. Critics argue these changes, including felony charges for unregistered petition collectors and shorter deadlines, will effectively block citizen-driven policy changes. While Republicans claim the law combats fraud, Democrats denounce it as an attack on direct democracy, citing the recent successful but ultimately unsuccessful abortion rights and recreational marijuana ballot initiatives. The law also restricts who can collect signatures and requires additional personal information from petitioners. Supporters maintain it protects the integrity of the initiative process.