Florida among the worst swing states surveyed for election readiness

As election officials brace for record-breaking voter turnout on Election Day, a close examination of voting preparedness in ten swing states shows that Florida has significant problems in the basic functions of its election administration system, more than most states, a new report by Common Cause and The Century Foundation shows.

The report, “Voting in 2008: 10 Swing States,” examined the potential for election administration difficulties in ten swing states, including Florida, focusing on: voter registration, voter identification, caging and challenges, deceptive practices, provisional ballots, voting machine allocation, poll worker recruitment and training, voter education and student voting rights.

The report found that Florida is among the worst. Click here to read the report.

Common Cause Florida Helps Defeat Attempt to Repeal Public Financing

The 2008 Florida legislative session came to a close, and thanks to you and your fellow Common Cause Florida activists, we were successful in our efforts to defeat an attempt to repeal Florida's public campaign financing system.

As you know, our public financing system was put into the Florida Constitution in 1998 when 64% of voters approved it. It provides matching funds to candidates for statewide office who voluntarily agree to limit their spending in campaigns. The system has worked well through the years, reducing the cost of campaigns and encouraging competition by creating a more level playing field when lesser known, under-funded challengers take on incumbents. 

Now, please help us build on the momentum we achieved with this victory to strengthen and improve Florida's public campaign financing system. Click here to support the work of Common Cause Florida.

New Redistricting Reform Effort Launched

Common Cause Florida and the League of Women Voters of  Florida have begun a new effort to reform the redistricting process. The political committee, FairDistrictsFlorida.org, has filed two petitions with the Division of Elections in the Secretary of State’s Office. The petitions, which have been approved, would create new requirements for drawing congressional and legislative districts. If the proposed constitutional amendments are adopted by Florida voters, congressional and legislative districts could not be drawn to favor incumbents or political parties. Districts would have to ensure that racial or language minorities have the opportunity to fully participate in the political process and elect representatives of their choice. They would also have to be compact, contiguous and utilize existing city, county and geographical boundaries. The petitions will give Florida voters the opportunity to end the political manipulation of districts by the legislature to protect incumbents and enhance political party power. Click here to download and sign the petitions.     

Florida Moves to Paper Ballots!

Common Cause Florida and its allies won an historic victory when the Florida legislature passed CS/HB 537 that provides almost all Florida voters with paper ballots in time for the 2008 election. The bill bans paperless electronic touchscreen machines outright by 2012.  

The bill is funded with $27.9 million in Help America Vote Act funds. Counties will get help from the state to purchase optical scan equipment to count the paper ballots; ballot-on-demand equipment to ease paper congestion problems in early voting; and ballot marking devices to serve the disabled.

The bill also contains new audit provisions essential to the security of paper ballot voting systems. The new law will go a long way toward restoring the confidence of Florida voters that their vote will be counted accurately.

We need your support to continue the important work of Common Cause Florida.   Click here to make a donation today

To read more about Common Cause Florida's previous updates click here.