TALLAHASSEE \u2014 A campaign to expand Medicaid in Florida is delaying its push to get the issue on the ballot until 2028, citing a new state law restricting the process to get constitutional amendments before voters.
\nThe group Florida Decides Healthcare had been working to get the measure on the 2026 ballot, while challenging the law in a federal court. That case is slated to go to trial in January.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the campaign said that by passing the new law known as H.B. 1205, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the GOP-controlled legislature \u201cchanged the ballot initiative rules mid-campaign\u201d in a way that \u201cdeliberately undermined\u201d the group\u2019s push to gather enough petition signatures from Florida voters to get the measure on the 2026 ballot.<\/p>\n
\u201cHB 1205 imposed roadblocks that made signature gathering nearly impossible on a 2026 timeline,\u201d the campaign said in a statement.
\nRepresentatives for DeSantis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
\nThe law signed by DeSantis in May sets new limits on how many petitions Florida voters can collect in their effort to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot, a provision punishable by a felony if voters violate it. The measure also bars non-U.S. citizens and non-Florida residents from gathering signed petitions for ballot initiatives.<\/p>\n
The Florida Legislature pushed the changes months after a majority of the state\u2019s voters supported ballot initiatives to protect abortion rights and legalize recreational marijuana, though the measures fell short of the 60% needed to pass. Lawmakers argued that the restrictions are needed to reform a process they claim has been tainted by fraud.
\n\u201cHB 1205 wasn\u2019t about transparency, it was sabotage aimed directly at citizen-led ballot initiatives. This law may have delayed us until 2028, but it will not stop us,\u201d said Mitch Emerson, executive director of Florida Decides Healthcare.<\/p>\n
Nearly 150 bills were introduced across 15 state legislatures this year seeking to make it harder for initiatives to qualify for the ballot or win approval by voters \u2014 nearly double the amount of just two years ago, according to the Fairness Project, a progressive group that has backed dozens of ballot initiatives in states. Voting rights advocates say the trend betrays the promise of direct democracy.
\nKate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press\/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.<\/p>\n
The delay in the campaign to expand Medicaid in Florida until 2028 is a significant setback for the group Florida Decides Healthcare. However, the group remains committed to its goal and is challenging the new law in a federal court. The outcome of this case will have a significant impact on the future of Medicaid expansion in Florida and the ability of citizens to initiate ballot measures.<\/p>\n
Q: What is the new law that is affecting the campaign to expand Medicaid in Florida?
\nA: The new law is known as H.B. 1205, which sets new limits on how many petitions Florida voters can collect in their effort to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
\nQ: Why is the campaign delaying its push to get the issue on the ballot?
\nA: The campaign is delaying its push because the new law has imposed roadblocks that make signature gathering nearly impossible on a 2026 timeline.
\nQ: What is the reaction of the Florida Decides Healthcare group to the new law?
\nA: The group believes that the law is sabotage aimed directly at citizen-led ballot initiatives and is challenging it in a federal court.
\nQ: When is the case challenging the new law expected to go to trial?
\nA: The case is expected to go to trial in January.
\nOriginally Published: September 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM EDT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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