Broward, Orange, Osceola Counties, Fla. — Voters in Broward, Orange, and Osceola Counties voted in record numbers in Florida’s primary election on August 18 and sent a clear message that embraced the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida’s Justice Voter platform, which includes holding police accountable, ending cash bail, and increasing voter access to the ballot box.
Prior to the August 18 primary, the ACLU of Florida launched an unprecedented campaign, “ACLU Justice Voter,” to educate voters in Broward, Orange and Osceola counties about the power State Attorneys, Sheriffs and Supervisors of Elections have on the progress of civil liberties in our communities.
While the ACLU of Florida does not support, oppose, or endorse candidates, the organization started this voter education push because these races will help shape priorities on civil liberties issues that Florida voters deeply care about.
Along with a survey sent to all candidates for Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections, and State Attorney that asked for candidates’ positions on civil liberties issues, the ACLU Justice Voter campaign invested in educating voters in all three counties through the use of digital ads that had more than eighteen (18) million impressions, more than 670,000 texts and 175,000 calls to voters about candidates’ positions, and 817,534 direct mail pieces sent to households.
Florida voters also participated in the election in record numbers in all three counties, totaling more than 304,000 ballots cast in Broward, 207,000 ballots cast in Orange, and 53,880 ballots cast in Osceola, highlighting the increased awareness and importance voters see in local races such as those for State Attorney, Sheriff, Supervisors of Elections.
The Florida primary election results indicate that voters in Broward, Orange, and Osceola counties overwhelmingly support advancing civil rights and civil liberties in our communities, such as ending collaborations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), decriminalizing marijuana, and making voter access to the ballot box more equitable. The ACLU of Florida will continue to elevate these issues in the general election and hold the elected candidates accountable to their commitments to Florida voters.
Micah Kubic, executive director of the ACLU of Florida responded with the following comment:
“The results of Florida’s primary election prove that Floridians are tired of the deeply flawed systems that fuel injustice in our state. Voters took issues of criminal justice reform, immigrants’ rights, and voting rights to the ballot box and sent a clear message that we want to see progress in our communities that advance true equity and justice. Voters in Broward, Orange and Osceola counties are part of a nationwide movement to challenge oppression and the status quo. The ACLU of Florida will continue to educate voters on the importance of State Attorneys, Sheriffs and Supervisors of Elections to the direction of civil rights and civil liberties in our state. We look forward to working with all Floridians to hold elected candidates accountable to their commitments to protect our democracy, end discrimination, expand rights, and ensure that we live in a nation with liberty and justice for all.”
This ACLU of Florida Justice Voter guide is a public education service to provide ACLU members and Florida voters with information on the pressing civil rights and civil liberties issues facing the Sunshine State.
The ACLU of Florida is a non-partisan organization that does not support or endorse candidates. Read the candidates’ responses to our questionnaires at aclufljusticevoter.org.
