Calculating the Grassroots Effort to Pass Amendment 4
Heading into the final weekend of Early Voting and as Election Day rapidly approaches, Florida is ready to make history by voting Yes on Amendment 4. The voting restoration amendment, however, is the story of an extraordinary and unwavering grassroots movement that has worked tirelessly to give Floridians from all walks of life the opportunity to earn back their eligibility to vote and create a more inclusive democracy.
Desmond Meade, Chair of Floridians for a Fair Democracy and spokesperson for the Second Chances Campaign, said, “We are energized by the people who are supporting Amendment 4 and ready to take the Second Chances Campaign across the finish line on Election Day. We are grateful for the wonderful people from all walks of life who have been the heartbeat of this grassroots movement, and have worked hard for friends, family, and neighbors who’ve made past mistakes and paid their full debts as ordered by a judge. Amendment 4 is all about second chances and the opportunity to earn back our eligibility to vote, and we urge Florida voters that have not yet cast their ballot to vote YES on Amendment 4.”
The Second Chances Florida Campaign is a grassroots effort with the unwavering dedication of countless volunteers, who collected over one million petitions to place Amendment 4 on the ballot. Floridians from all walks of life have come together in support of voting Yes on Amendment 4. Here is Amendment 4 by the numbers:
Total petitions signed to place Amendment 4 on the ballot: 1,254,724
Total volunteers: 12,365
Total phone calls made: 2,268,150
Total text messages sent: 2,721,024
Total doors knocked: 3,354,353
Total digital impression: 91,320,454
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Total impact: 1,400,000
Current Florida law excludes 1.4 million Floridians who have completed the terms of their sentence from voting for life. Florida is one of only four states with a lifetime ban on voting. Amendment 4 would restore the eligibility to vote to Floridians who have served their time and completed all terms of their sentence as ordered by a judge – including parole, probation, and restitution. The amendment specifically excludes those individuals who have committed murder or a felony sexual offense.
To learn more about the Second Chances Campaign, please visit secondchancesfl.org.
