In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis made national headlines when he created the Office of Election Crimes and Security, a so-called “election police” force designed to investigate and prosecute alleged voter fraud. The timing was no coincidence. As DeSantis cemented his political ambitions and positioned himself for a presidential run, he needed to appeal to a specific base. In creating this office, DeSantis wasn't protecting democracy — he was pandering to conspiracy theorists and sowing doubt in the electoral process, all while laying the groundwork for voter intimidation and going after petitions and amendments to please his voters. And now, in 2024, we are seeing the full, dangerous impact of this move.
This office was established without substantial review or significant evidence to justify its necessity. By the end of the 2024 budget cycle, this office will have spent $6,665,874. Even though widespread voter fraud has been repeatedly debunked, the Republican supermajorities in Tallahassee pressed forward with it to raise doubts in voters’ minds. This isn’t just a political stunt. It’s a real threat to the rights of everyday Floridians, especially women and minority communities, and every single Republican who voted for that bill, including my opponent Rep. Stan McClain, is just as guilty as DeSantis for these fear tactics.
It was reported this past September that officers were going door-to-door to question voters about their signatures on petitions. Just imagine the fear of law enforcement challenging your petition's legitimacy at your front door. And who are the primary targets of these intimidation tactics? Women, minorities and anyone who dares to support causes like reproductive rights or voter expansion.
The DeSantis administration has spent about $20 million on radio and TV advertising against Amendments 3 and 4 while threatening TV stations with criminal prosecution if they do not remove ads from the supporters of these amendments. At the same time, they use our tax dollars to fight lawsuits against their unconstitutional actions in court, produce large documents with the hope that they will impress and use state websites to parrot political talking points. These are acts of pure intimidation.
The timing of this escalation is telling. Amendment 4 is on the ballot, a pivotal referendum to enshrine abortion rights in the Florida Constitution. This election is about life-and-death decisions for women in Florida and their allies. The DeSantis administration knows women, particularly young women and women of color, are turning out in droves to vote for this amendment. By casting doubt on the integrity of the voting process and creating bureaucratic hurdles, this administration hopes to suppress this very turnout.
The assault on voting rights doesn’t stop there. For years, this administration has chipped away at voter access, particularly for communities of color. We’ve seen voter roll purges, stricter ID requirements and new rules on where and when to drop vote-by-mail ballots. Voters find themselves having to re-register multiple times or jump through hoops to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Why not have everyone with a government-issued ID be automatically registered — this would save millions of headaches. The goal isn’t “election security.” The goal is voter suppression.
This is Florida in 2024 — a place where only certain voices are heard while others are silenced by bureaucratic red tape and fear tactics. The state now uses law enforcement to intimidate its citizens. This is not how democracy works. This is how autocracies start.
But this is where we draw the line. Floridians deserve a government that works for them, not against them. We deserve leaders who trust the voters, not those who use fear to suppress them. Women deserve the right to make decisions about their own bodies without being disenfranchised. Minority communities deserve to vote without being made to feel like criminals. And we, the people, deserve to know that our democracy is being upheld, not undermined by those in power.
This upcoming election is more than those who sit in the Florida Senate. It’s about reclaiming the right to vote without fear of intimidation. It’s about defending the right of women and the right of every citizen, no matter their race, gender or economic status, to participate in our democracy. This November, we have the power to say enough is enough and elect leaders who lead with empathy and compassion.
Floridians are strong, resilient and determined. Now is the time to stand up to this administration's fearmongering and voter suppression tactics. We can vote for a future where everyone has an equal say, women’s rights are protected and democracy thrives for all, not just the privileged few. I believe in a better tomorrow for all. We owe this to our children and future generations.
Dr. Sylvain Doré is the Democratic Nominee for Florida Senate, District 9.
