Plaintiffs say new Florida law creates barriers to keep grassroots campaigners off the ballot
Tallahassee, Fla. — The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) heads to U.S. federal court on Monday, Feb. 9, to prevent enforcement of a law that infringes upon the constitutional rights of ballot initiative sponsors, petition circulators and voters. The SPLC filed the case in May 2025 on behalf of Florida Decides Healthcare (FDH) after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed House Bill 1205 (HB1205) into law last year.
In Florida Decides Healthcare Inc., et al. v. Byrd, et al., the SPLC aims to protect Floridians’ right to pursue citizen-led ballot initiatives free from obstacles that impose strict regulations on theseefforts.
“Citizen-led ballot measures are a constitutional right under Florida law. Stopping the implementation of this new law restores power to Floridians, ensuring their voices are heard,” said Avner Shapiro, senior supervising attorney, SPLC. “We’re determined to stop Florida’s Legislature from gutting direct democracy in Florida.”
Restrictions from HB1205 include excluding returning citizens, noncitizens and nonresidents from circulating petitions; requiring anyone who circulates more than 25 petitions, whether paid or unpaid, to register with the state; and imposing draconian fines on sponsors if they fail to submit petitions to supervisors of elections within just 10 days of their signing.
The SPLC’s client, FDH, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that seeks to place Medicaid expansion on the ballot. If it succeeds in doing so, Medicaid will ensure that more than 1 million Floridians who are currently without health care insurance receive coverage. Largely because the Florida Legislature has opposed the expansion of Medicaid in the state, Florida ranks 47th in the nation for health care access and affordability.
More information on the lawsuit can be found here.
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About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.