Statement: Voter Participation Center/Center for Voter Information Respond to FL State Proposals to Restrict Access to Voting

Washington, DC, February 24, 2021 — In response to a slate of voting proposals in Florida, Tom Lopach, President and CEO of the Voter Participation Center (VPC) and Center for Voter Information (CVI), released the following statement. These proposals include restricting mass mailing of mail-in ballots and access to ballot drop boxes, which were essential in the record voter turnout in the state in the 2020 cycle. Since 2003, VPC and CVI have provided 5.7 million Americans with the tools and information they need to register and get to the polls. 

“After record turnout and election participation in Florida, this is an attempt to make it more difficult to vote. These deliberate efforts to cut off access to the ballot box are antithetical to democracy, and the intention is clear. Certain leaders are working to silence the voices of people of color, who cast deciding ballots last year and will continue to do so if they are empowered. 

“We must strongly condemn these anti-voting bills and other efforts that disproportionately impact historically disenfranchised voters. They join more than 160 bills in state legislatures across the country aimed to restrict voting rights when more should be done to expand voting access. Every eligible voter must have full and unburden some access to voting to make their voices heard. Election should be a contest based on ideas, not on who is prevented from voting.”

The Voter Participation Center and Center for Voter Information are non-profit, non-partisan organizations founded in 2003 to help members of the New American Majority – unmarried women, people of color and young people – register and vote. Since then, the organizations have helped 5.7 million people register and cast ballots.