March 26, 2025
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, a coalition of Florida civil rights organizations, legislators, advocates, and hundreds of constituents gathered at the Florida Capitol to rally in support of the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Florida Voting Rights Act (FLVRA). This landmark legislation (SB 1582/HB 1409) seeks to expand voter access and strengthen protections against discriminatory voting practices, ensuring equal access to the ballot box for all Floridians.
Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis (D-Orlando) is leading the charge in the Florida House and continues to champion the bill. In the Senate, Sen. Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville) has taken up the mantle following the tragic passing of her friend, Sen. Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando), the bill’s original Senate sponsor in 2024. Sen. Davis remains committed to advancing this critical legislation in honor of Sen. Thompson’s legacy.
This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the federal Voting Rights Act, and for the second year in a row, the entire Democratic Caucus in both state legislative chambers has co-sponsored this bill.
“Florida lawmakers have spent the last few years creating unjust laws that have restricted voter rights,” said Brad Ashwell, Florida state director of All Voting is Local Action. “The Florida Voting Rights Act is a chance for voters to take back power over elections in the Sunshine State and restore key aspects of voter access. All Floridians deserve to cast a vote without having unnecessary restrictions hovering over the ballot box.”
“Voting rights are fundamental human rights that must be safeguarded to uphold America’s core values of equality, justice, and liberty for all,” said Jonathan Webber, Florida policy director at the Southern Poverty Law Center. “We honor the legacy of civil rights champions like Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore and the late Senator Geraldine Thompson, whose unwavering commitment to justice continues to inspire us. Today, leaders like Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis and Sen. Tracie Davis carry that fight forward by sponsoring this landmark state voting rights act. Together, we remain steadfast in our commitment to defending civil rights against any threats to democracy.”
“Equal Ground is proud to stand with our legislative champions and coalition partners in refiling the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Florida Voting Rights Act. We move forward with State Senator Geraldine Thompson’s legacy in our hearts. Her dedication to voting rights and Black history shaped this legislation, and we remain committed to advancing the fight she so fiercely championed,” said Genesis Robinson, Executive Director of Equal Ground. “The Florida Voting Rights Act is a crucial step in ensuring every voter—regardless of race, background, or ZIP code—has an equal opportunity to participate in our democracy. Harry and Harriette Moore gave their lives fighting for voting rights, and we are committed to carrying the mantle forward.”
“Florida has a painful legacy of voter suppression, but we also have a proud tradition of resistance and resilience,” said Dwight Bullard, Senior Political Advisor at Florida Rising. “Harry and Harriette Moore were assassinated for daring to demand voting rights for Black Floridians – and decades later, their fight is still ours. The Florida Voting Rights Act is not just a bill; it’s a continuation of a freedom struggle that began long before us. We owe it to our ancestors, our communities, and our children to protect the power of the vote. Now is the time to act. We call on every legislator who believes in justice and democracy to stand up and pass this bill.”
“Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore and Senator Geraldine Thompson fought throughout their lives to ensure access to the ballot. We are proud to honor their legacy through the Florida Voting Rights Act as we continue the fight to ensure all Floridians can make their voices heard in the political process,” said Amy Keith, Executive Director of Common Cause Florida. “With Congress failing to uphold the federal Voting Rights Act, states must step up to pass our own protections. The Florida Voting Rights Act would get rid of barriers, protect fundamental voting rights, and expand voting access to make sure that every eligible Florida voter truly has equal access to the ballot.”
“During the 2024 election, I served as a poll monitor in Duval County where I saw an 18-year-old brandish a machete at voters at the Beaches Branch Library, a blatant display of voter intimidation that is just one example of the many issues Florida voters face when they go to the polls,” said Martin Harris of the Legal Defense Fund. “The strength of our democracy depends on our ability to ensure every voice is heard in every election. Passing the FLVRA, which builds on the federal Voting Rights Act and successful state Voting Rights Acts across the country, would provide critical protections against discriminatory voting practices and strengthen the political power of Black voters and other voters of color in the sunshine state.”
“If we want a democracy that works for us all, then our democracy has to include us all. Congress must restore the federal Voting Rights Act, but we can’t wait for Congress to act,” said Abdelilah Skhir, senior strategist at the ACLU of Florida. Skhir continued, “This bill is the kind of bold, transformative vision that we need at this time. We honor the legacy of civil rights giants like Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore, and the late Senator Geraldine F. Thompson by fighting to enshrine this bill into law.”