DeSantis Rips Away Voting Rights Behind Closed Doors

Media was barred from entry as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed unnecessary legislation specifically designed to make it harder for Floridians to vote. While local news outlets were turned away, DeSantis proclaimed himself “Best Governor in the USA,” in a secretive signing ceremony limited to Donald Trump’s fan club and Fox News. 

The legislation, which has been referred to as “Jim Crow 2.0,” takes a page straight out of Trump’s playbook of baseless accusations of voter fraud in the 2020 election. It makes it harder to request and return mail ballots, a safe and convenient voting option that Floridians took advantage of in record numbers in 2020. The bill also imposes strict voter ID requirements and restricts access to ballot drop boxes. 

As a clear sign of how this will undermine the ability for Floridians to vote, even Ron DeSantis once had his own ballot rejected.

The voter suppression legislation in Florida is the latest desperate attempt by Republicans to cling to power by systematically disenfranchising Black and brown voters and restricting voter turnout. Republicans have introduced over 350 bills in 47 states that experts estimate could create hurdles for tens of millions of Americans in casting their ballots.

“Gov. DeSantis clearly knows this legislation is wrong, and that’s why he went to extreme lengths to keep Florida media away today,” said DGA Deputy Communications Director Sam Newton. “No matter what propaganda DeSantis tries to spin, this bill hurts Floridians. In fact, the only people who will benefit from this legislation are the only people Gov. DeSantis let into his delusional bill signing event — Donald Trump’s far-right base.”

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