TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Democrats took on tremendous losses last election cycle, and now a Republican lawmaker seeks to eliminate the party entirely with a bill filed Tuesday.
“The Ultimate Cancel Act” (SB 1248), sponsored by state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill), would cancel the filings of any political party that supported slavery during the Civil War.
“The Democrat party adopted pro-slavery stances in their party platforms and this bill says that if you have done that in the past then the Secretary of State shall de-certify and get rid of the party,” Ingoglia said.
If the controversial bill were approved, voters registered with any “canceled” party would become Non-Party Affiliated voters.
“It would be interesting to find out if those voters who are now de-certified choose to go back to the party, now that they know that they were the party that was advocating for the issue of slavery,” Ingoglia said.
Any “canceled” party could register again, but the name of the organization must be substantially different from the name of any other party that was previously registered with the department.
The proposal is drawing widespread criticism from Democrats.
“Shame on the Republican Party for initiating legislation of this magnitude this is what a dictator does,” newly-elected Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said.
“It’s a complete and absolute abuse and it’s unconstitutional. This bill will go nowhere. It is meritless. It deserves zero airtime and frankly, it’s a distraction from the Republicans’ failed policies.” House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell said.
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