FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2023

Contacts: Floridians Protecting Freedom: [email protected]

    ACLU of Florida Media Office: [email protected] 

Floridians Protecting Freedom Files Brief with Florida Supreme Court in Support of Proposed Amendment

The law is clear and on our side despite distortions from Florida’s Attorney General

TALLAHASSEE – Last Friday, Floridians Protecting Freedom (FPF), the committee working to put abortion access on Florida’s ballot in 2024, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida filed a brief with the Florida Supreme Court in support of the “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion.” Four support briefs were also submitted by Florida doctors, former Florida Republican elected officials, constitutional law scholars, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The FPF brief highlights the limited role of the Court’s review per Florida’s Constitution and the clear and unambiguous language of the ballot summary satisfying both the constitutional and statutory requirements. The brief also makes clear how much Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is distorting the law in her politically motivated court filing and exposes her hollow attempt to create uncertainty around the term “viability.” 

Taken together, the briefs filed last Friday demonstrate broad support for the amendment from Floridians, in stark contrast to the big-money anti-abortion interest groups trying to thwart the initiative against the will of the people.

“Floridians continue to voice their opposition to abortion bans and are determined to reclaim their freedom from extremist policies,” said Lauren Brenzel, campaign director of FPF. “Today’s briefs make clear that, regardless of how one feels on the issue of abortion, Floridians deserve the opportunity to vote on this amendment.”

The FPF filing reiterates the narrow scope of the court’s role in reviewing the ballot language. Meanwhile, dozens of doctors dispelled Attorney General Moody’s manufactured argument that the term “viability” could create confusion for voters, and Republican former elected officials signaled Floridians should not be denied the opportunity to vote on the amendment.

The brief submitted by constitutional law scholars focuses on the crucial role of the ballot initiative process, and the need for the people to take the reins when the Legislature acts against their interests, as with the abortion bans passed in recent years.

“This constitutional amendment simply ensures that decisions about pregnancy are between patients and their doctors, not politicians,” said Hélène Barthelémy, staff attorney of the ACLU of Florida. “Floridians value their freedom from government interference when it comes to accessing essential reproductive health care, and we look forward to giving them a chance to reclaim that freedom when they go to the polls in 2024.”

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