A hearing today could decide whether citizen groups must register with the state to campaign for political candidates and issues.
Four groups across the state, including UF College Libertarians, filed a suit Oct. 8 against Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning and the Florida Elections Commission, stating the law limited constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of assembly.
U.S. District Judge Stephan Mickle will hear arguments at 10 a.m. at the downtown federal courthouse to decide whether to grant an injunction on Florida's electioneering communications law.
The law requires groups to register with the state if their purpose is to accept contributions and spend money to comment on candidates or ballot issues.
The groups' case will be presented by Robert Gall, an attorney with the Institute for Justice, a civil liberties law firm.
Gall said the law is unconstitutional when applied to the groups because their speech is to raise awareness, not to actually campaign for candidates.
"It's fundamentally intolerable in terms of the First Amendment," Gall said.
UF College Libertarians president Neal Conner said the group joined with the Institute for Justice to fight for its existence as well as the right to free speech.
"One of the key features of a constitutional republic like ours is that people have choice and can hear from a wide variety of voices," Conner said. "This law prevents us from putting those choices before the campus."
According to Chapter 106 of Florida Statutes, groups that register as electioneering communications organizations are required to comply with regulations such as appointing a campaign treasurer, making regular reports and allowing random government audits.
Conner said as students, members of UF College Libertarians could not have the time to comply with such "burdensome regulations" or worry about whether they are breaking the law.
The Libertarians are hoping for swift action so they can continue distributing fliers about ballot issues before the Nov. 4 election, Conner said.
He also hopes to advertise a Wednesday meeting featuring county judge candidate Lorraine Sherman. Under the law, the group cannot print Sherman's name on advertisements, but without her name, ads would be ineffective, Conner said.
Conner said they expect the judge will rule in favor of granting Floridians an injunction.
If denied, Gall said the groups would still continue to pursue the case.
