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State Elected Democrats Call On Governor To Request Federal Elections Safety Money

Voters cast their votes at an early voting center in Miami, Fla.
Joe Raedle
/
Getty Images
Voters cast their votes at an early voting center in Miami, Fla.

Democrats in Florida are calling on Governor Ron DeSantis to accept funds from the federal government earmarked for safe and sanitary election costs. Florida is one of six states that hasn’t requested the election safety funds made available through the CARES Act. Congresswoman Donna Shalala suggests there are plenty of ways Florida could use the money.

“We should be expanding programs like vote by mail so people can vote in the safety of their own home," Shalala said. "Florida should also expand early voting to make voting easier and secure social distancing at polling places.”

Sen. Gary Farmer (D-Fort Lauderdale) believes the state should send vote-by-mail ballots to all eligible voters to incentivize social distancing and support voter participation. Florida is eligible for $20 million dollars of the $400 million set aside for election safety in the CARES Act.

Blaise Gainey is a State Government Reporter for WFSU News. Blaise hails from Windermere, Florida. He graduated from The School of Journalism at the Florida A&M University. He formerly worked for The Florida Channel, WTXL-TV, and before graduating interned with WFSU News. He is excited to return to the newsroom. In his spare time he enjoys watching sports, Netflix, outdoor activities and anything involving his daughter.