Police are questioning Florida voters about signing an abortion rights ballot petition

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 6:41 PM EDT, September 10, 2024


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — State police are showing up at Florida voters’ homes to question them about signing a petition to get an abortion rights amendment on the ballot in November, and a state health care agency has launched a website targeting the ballot initiative with politically charged language.

Critics say they’re the latest efforts by Florida’s Republican elected officials to leverage state resources to try to block the abortion rights measure, moves which some Democratic officials argue could violate state laws against voter intimidation. “Ron (DeSantis) has repeatedly used state power to interfere with a citizen-led process to get reproductive freedom on the ballot,” Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried told reporters on Monday. “This is their latest desperate attempt before Election Day.”

The ballot initiative known as Amendment 4 would enshrine abortion rights in Florida law. If approved by 60% of voters, the procedure would remain legal until the fetus is viable, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.

Isaac Menasche, one of nearly a million people who signed the petition to get the measure on the ballot, said a law enforcement officer knocked on his door last week in Lee County in southwest Florida to ask him about signing it.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/florida-abortion-ballot-amendment-elections-police-cfd4e3479498e63e65f1116acd95f7be

[cstanleytech]

1. Yup, attempted intimidation.

[Irish_Dem]

2. Like China and Russia.

Intimidate any one who speaks out.

[liberal N proud]

3. Example of the fascist future if trump gets back in office

[wolfie001]

4. Redneck Gestapo

[FailureToCommunicate]

5. "Zeigen Sie mir ihre Papiere !"

[multigraincracker]

6. Cop knocks on my door, first think I say...

I don’t answer question without my lawyer present.

[70sEraVet]

7. DOJ needs to get involved!

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Looks like the ACLU is aware and looking at it

https://www.aclufl.org/en/press-releases/aclu-florida-denounces-state-agencys-unprecedented-move-undermine-citizen-initiated

What generally happens is that orgs like that, if they have legal standing, may file suit and DOJ might join in with briefs, etc.

Additionally, people can file complaints directly to DOJ and THAT is normally how DOJ gets involved.

[slightlv]

9. Can they, tho, on state election issues?

Or would this be classified as a civil rights violation? I know it *would* intimidate me, but it also would loosen my tongue in a not-so-good way as I told the cops what I thought I what they're doing, and asking what country I was living in. Were we now part of Russia?

Man, if T or any current R were to get elected, THIS is what we can expect to happen on a regular basis for any number of issues! I knew DeSantis' FL was in a bad way, but geesh! This is beyond the damned pale. Government of the people my butt!

[Bengus81]

15. Merrick Garland?? Yeah he might take a look in 2026....n/t

[quakerboy]

10. this is bad

Like real bad.

Police at your door is never good.

But what if your a woman who's abusive husband or molesty father is sitting in the livingroom while the police ask you about this.

Whoever ok'd this police action should suffer blowback, as much and as publicly as possible

[Timeflyer]

11. Call DeSantis office at 850-717-9337, let them know we're watching and will be voting yes on Amendment 4 in Nov.

[AndyTiedye]

12. Most Florida Residents Will Be Afraid To Sign Any Petition Now

and they may have intimidated many into recanting their signatures.

[Timeflyer]

13. Please don't underestimate us. MAGA voters have flocked here like cockroaches, but in FL the blues are rising and mad!

[surrealAmerican]

14. If they can spend their time doing this ...

... there must be far too many police officers in Florida.

[Bengus81]

16. Funny....Trump said Kamala defunded the Police last night--many times.

[TheBlackAdder]

17. I think Florida has its own Voter Gestapo, not sure if it's state police related.