CIVIL RIGHTS AND LATINX-LED ORGANIZATIONS BACK IN FEDERAL COURT TO CHALLENGE FLORIDA LAW TARGETING VOTER REGISTRATION AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS
For Immediate Release: January 23, 2024
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Additional Contacts:
media@latinojustice.org
mynegron@poderlatinx.org
media@demos.org
media@aclu.org
Atlanta, Georgia – On Thursday, January 25, a federal appeals court will hear oral arguments challenging SB 7050, a Florida law that attempts to make it harder for nonpartisan, community-based organizations to register voters. Today, Latino-led organizations and voting rights advocates – including Hispanic Federation, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, ACLU, and Poder Latinx – hosted a virtual press conference previewing developments in the case and what’s at stake for this year’s crucial elections.
A recording of the press conference can be found here, and statements from plaintiff and legal organizations can be found below.
“As we kick start the new year and the last leg of a crucial election, our coalition of Latino-led community organizations and advocates are reminding voters and the Florida Legislature that we’re ready to oppose, mobilize, and fight against any measure that will suppress communities of color and their ability to vote. The very future of our country will be decided this year, and communities of color are four or five times more likely to register through nonpartisan groups than their white counterparts. Our message is clear: now is not the time to impede our work to inform voters and help them register to vote. Our democracy thrives with more participation, not less. That’s why we will not stop fighting until the unconstitutional portions of SB 7050 are struck down and everyone can exercise their constitutional right to vote,” said Frankie Miranda, president and CEO of Hispanic Federation.
“Poder Latinx's civic empowerment efforts in Florida, led by culturally competent canvassers, depend on trusted individuals familiar with their communities. Several team members are authorized to work non-citizens, who play a vital role in voter registration, particularly in Spanish-speaking neighborhoods. The enforcement of SB 7050 would be detrimental for us and similar organizations for our civic engagement work, disproportionately affecting voters of color. Restricting non-citizens from contributing to voting initiatives is unconstitutional and poses a significant threat to democratic values," expressed Carolina Wassmer, Florida state program director at Poder Latinx.
“The lower court was right to block SB 7050, which was a brazen and unlawful attack on our communities, on free speech, and on civic participation. We urge the federal appeals court to come to the same conclusion, and we stand with our brave plaintiffs who each day proudly help eligible voters participate in our democracy,” said Adriel I. Cepeda Derieux, deputy director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, who is arguing tomorrow’s appeal.
“The lower court affirmed what we’ve been arguing, that SB7050 is unconstitutional and that its primary function is to silence our communities. To date, the state has not justified prohibiting noncitizens from handling voter registrations. This reinforces our argument that there is no reason to bar noncitizens committed to helping their neighbors access their right to vote. We hope this will be as clear to the Eleventh Circuit Court as it was to the Northern District of Florida. The state of Florida and our country as a whole would benefit from encouraging more people to support fair, accessible elections,” said Delmarie Alicea, associate counsel at LatinoJustice PRLDEF.
“Our clients are doing the essential work of building a better democracy through voter registration. Maintaining a democracy is hard work that requires collective effort. SB7050 is a brazen and anti-immigrant attempt to block these powerful efforts. Florida, and all states, should welcome opportunities to expand civic engagement, not limit it,” said Estee Konor, associate director of legal strategies at Dēmos.
Oral arguments in Hispanic Federation v. Byrd are scheduled for Thursday, January 25, at the Eleventh Circuit federal court in Atlanta, Ga. The court convenes at 9 a.m. ET, and this case is the second argument on this day.
In May 2023, the coalition filed a lawsuit challenging SB 7050 for its chilling effect on political speech, civic engagement, and the unconstitutional exclusion of noncitizens from voter turnout activities. In July, a judge issued a preliminary injunction, blocking some portions of SB 7050 as the case is litigated.
Specifically, the lawsuit focuses on the law’s noncitizen provision, which would impose a $50,000 fine on an organization for each noncitizen who “collects” or “handles” voter registration forms on the organization’s behalf.
The restrictions include lawful permanent residents, many of whom have lived legally in the U.S. for decades and have longtime, close ties to the communities in which they reside. That means people who legally live in the United States – who have called Florida home for decades – cannot help their neighbors, friends, or family who are citizens register to vote.
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Florida, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Dēmos, and Arnold & Porter on behalf of Hispanic Federation, Poder Latinx, and individual clients. The case cites violations of the First and 14th Amendments.
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized and immigrant Latinos. With programs in 40 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
About LatinoJustice
LatinoJustice PRLDEF works to create a more just society by using and challenging the rule of law to secure transformative, equitable and accessible justice, by empowering our community and by fostering leadership through advocacy and education. For 50 years, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has acted as an advocate against injustices throughout the country. To learn more about LatinoJustice, visit www.LatinoJustice.org.
About Arnold & Porter
Arnold & Porter combines sophisticated regulatory, litigation, and transactional capabilities to resolve clients’ most complex issues. With over 1,000 lawyers practicing in 15 offices worldwide, we offer deep industry experience and an integrated approach that spans more than 40 practice areas. Through multidisciplinary collaboration and focused industry experience, we provide innovative and effective solutions to mitigate risks, address challenges, and achieve successful outcomes.
