Media Contact

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 7, 2020
CONTACT: ACLU of Florida Media Office, media@aclufl.org, (786) 363-2717

May 7, 2020

MIAMI, FL – The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida today announced plans to educate voters about the civil rights and civil liberties issues at stake in the August 18 primary election and November general election for Sheriff, Supervisors of Elections and State Attorney races in Broward and Orange/Osceola counties.

While the ACLU of Florida does not support, oppose, or endorse candidates, the organization has started this push because these races will help shape priorities on issues such as immigrants’ rights, voting access, and decarceration in two of Florida’s most populous counties. The ACLU of Florida is highlighting how these elected officials impact civil liberties through an online voter guide, ACLU Justice Voter, released today.

“From the growing mass incarceration crisis, to problematic voting barriers and inhumane immigration detention practices -- our state is on the frontlines of every civil liberties challenge facing our nation today,” said Micah Kubic, executive director of the ACLU of Florida. “With this voter guide, we want to remind voters that they have the power to keep their local elected officials accountable and ensure they are enacting policies that reflect voters’ values. It’s time to empower voters to seek candidates who strive to advance civil liberties for all Floridians.”

Over the next few months leading up to the August 18 primary and the November general election, the organization is planning to release candidate scorecards and host virtual candidate forums to educate voters in these counties on civil liberties issues related to voting, mass incarceration, immigrants’ rights and more. The ACLU of Florida will also engage advocates to organize phone banks to speak directly with voters about the crucial civil liberties issues on the line in these races.

The ACLU’s online voter guide outlining the power of these elected officials and civil liberties policy agendas is available here: https://www.aclufljusticevoter.org/