DeSantis goes all-in against Florida's abortion rights amendment
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People hold up signs during a pro-abortion rights rally in West Palm Beach on June 24. Photo: Marco Bello/AFP via Getty Images
The DeSantis administration is escalating its war on Amendment 4, using state agencies to combat the abortion rights referendum on November's ballot.
Why it matters: Gov. Ron DeSantis' use of state resources to oppose a ballot initiative in Florida is unusual, and critics argue it violates a statute that prohibits the state from "influencing" a person's vote.
Driving the news: Florida's State Department began a review last week of petition signatures in support of the abortion amendment from at least four counties, including Hillsborough.
- The probe comes long after the deadline to challenge the validity of the signatures, per the Tampa Bay Times. Secretary of State Cord Byrd certified the signatures seven months ago.
- Also last week, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration published a web page that lobbed a flurry of criticism at the abortion amendment.
- The agency's website argues that the ballot question's "vague" language leaves the timeframe for abortions unclear and threatens existing regulations.
What they're saying: "Part of the Agency's mission is to provide information and transparency to Floridians on the quality of care they receive," the AHCA told Axios in an unsigned statement.
- "Our new transparency page serves to educate Floridians on the state's current abortion laws and provide information on a proposed policy change that would impact care across the state."
Reality check: The amendment guarantees abortion access until fetal viability, which is about 24 weeks into pregnancy.
- The website also evokes debunked criticism of the amendment, such as assertions that it would eliminate parental consent or lead to unqualified providers determining exceptions to the viability standard.
Catch up quick: DeSantis launched a political action committee called the Florida Freedom Fund in May to ensure the defeat of this year's historic referenda on abortion access and recreational marijuana.
- It's raised over $2 million so far — a drop in the bucket compared with the $47 million war chest behind the abortion amendment.
- The Florida Supreme Court later allowed the inclusion of a disclaimer on November's ballot, outlining the costs the state would incur from litigation should the abortion amendment pass.
- Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, all DeSantis cabinet members, have pledged $600,000 toward defeating the amendment.
Between the lines: Floridians Protecting Freedom gathered enough signatures in January to tee up a vote that could upend the abortion landscape in Florida — while DeSantis was traveling the country for his failed presidential campaign.
- Since returning home, he has struggled to reclaim his once-unquestioned power over the state.
- Candidates he endorsed for school board races across the state failed, and his administration's plan for state parks drew rare bipartisan blowback.
- The abortion amendment's adoption would undermine his pitch that Florida is a conservative blueprint for the nation.
What they're saying: "To our knowledge, it is unprecedented for the state to expressly advocate against a citizen-led initiative," says Bacardi Jackson from the ACLU's Florida chapter, which is part of the coalition behind the amendment.
- "This kind of propaganda issued by the state, using taxpayer money and operating outside of the political process, sets a dangerous precedent," she adds.