March 8, 2025 Story by: Editor
A coalition of civil rights organizations has filed a federal lawsuit against Florida’s newly enacted elections law, arguing that it disproportionately restricts voting access for Black and Latino communities, particularly in mail-in voting.
The lawsuit, submitted Monday in U.S. District Court in Tallahassee, marks at least the third legal challenge to the legislation, which was passed by state lawmakers last month and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The bill, known as SB 90, was one of the most contentious measures of Florida’s 2021 legislative session, despite the state having conducted a largely smooth election in 2020. Republican legislators defended the changes, claiming they were necessary to bolster election security and prevent future fraud.
However, the lawsuit—filed on behalf of Florida Rising Together, Faith in Florida, UnidosUS, the Equal Ground Education Fund, the Hispanic Federation, and Poder Latinx—argues that the law unfairly limits access to voting by mail and creates barriers for Black and Latino voters.
“While SB 90 imposes unjustified burdens on all voters, it places disproportionate burdens on Black voters, Latino voters, disabled voters, and voters who face greater challenges in exercising the right to vote, even in the best of circumstances,” the 91-page lawsuit states. “SB 90 imposes specific obstacles on voters’ ability to cast ballots through in-person voting, mail voting, and the use of secure drop-boxes for early voting.”
The complaint, which names Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee and several county election supervisors as defendants, alleges violations of the federal Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution. It calls for an injunction to block the law’s implementation, focusing on four key provisions:
- Tighter restrictions on ballot drop boxes: The lawsuit argues that these restrictions will particularly impact voters with daytime jobs and those looking to avoid long wait times at polling places.
- Stricter identification requirements for mail-in ballots: The plaintiffs contend that these requirements could prevent many voters from obtaining their mail-in ballots.
- Limits on providing food and water to voters in line: The lawsuit points out that Black and Latino voters often face longer wait times and that churches and community organizations have historically provided assistance.
- New disclaimer requirements for third-party voter registration groups: The suit claims these requirements will discourage such organizations from helping people register to vote.
Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature is part of a broader GOP-led effort across the country to change election laws after former President Donald Trump falsely claimed the 2020 election was “rigged” against him. Courts dismissed multiple lawsuits filed by Trump and his supporters challenging the election results. Notably, Trump won Florida by a significant margin.
On May 6, DeSantis appeared on Fox & Friends to sign the bill, touting it as the “strongest election integrity measures in the country.” He added, “We’re not resting on our laurels, and me signing this bill here says, ‘Florida, your vote counts, your vote is going to be cast with integrity and transparency, and this is a great place for democracy.’”
However, the law was immediately met with lawsuits from organizations including the League of Women Voters of Florida, the Florida State Conference of the NAACP, Disability Rights Florida, and Common Cause—all of which are still pending.
Monday’s lawsuit was filed by attorneys from the Advancement Project National Office, Demos, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, and the national law firm Arnold and Porter Kaye Scholer LLP. It highlights Florida’s long history of discriminatory voting practices against Black and Latino communities.
“Florida’s recent legislation attacking the voting rights of its Black and Latino residents is like a virus attacking the human heart,” the lawsuit states. “Without a remedy to undo the effects, our democracy will die.” Source: Florida Trend
