Federal Trial over Florida’s Ballot Amendment Process Underway

Federal judge hearing arguments over Florida's new law restricting citizen-led ballot initiatives

The future of Florida's citizen-led ballot initiatives is now in the hands of a federal judge, as a full trial gets underway in Tallahassee challenging the states sweeping 2025 changes to the process.Sate Capitol Reporter Forrest Saunders deep dives into the lawsuit targeting HB 1205, a law passed last year that dramatically tightened requirements for citizen-led constitutional amendments. The case is being led by Florida Decides Healthcare, whi…

Trial begins over Florida law that left 2026 ballot without citizen initiatives

The future of Florida’s citizen-led ballot initiatives is in the hands of a federal judge, as a full trial gets underway in Tallahassee challenging the state’s sweeping 2025 changes to the process.

Trial on State’s Ballot Initiatives kicks Off in Tallahassee

By Christine Sexton, The Florida Phoenix A legal challenge to Florida’s restrictions on ballot initiatives kicked off Monday as groups pushing measures on marijuana and Medicaid expansion hope to convince a federal judge that a 2025 state law is unconstitutional. The trial over Florida’s new law — passed last year after initiatives on abortion and marijuana narrowly failed to pass in the 2024 election — is expected to last up to two weeks, accor…

Trial on state's ballot initiative restrictions kicks off in Tallahassee federal court

Florida Decides Healthcare Executive Director Mitch Emerson talks with reporters outside the federal courthouse in Tallahassee on Feb. 9, 2026. (Photo by Christine Sexton/Florida Phoenix)A legal challenge to Florida’s restrictions on ballot initiatives kicked off Monday as groups pushing measures on marijuana and Medicaid expansion hope to convince a federal judge that a 2025 state law is unconstitutional. The trial over Florida’s new law — pass…

Florida ballot initiative restrictions face federal constitutional challenge

Last year, just as Florida Decides Healthcare was collecting signatures to expand Medicaid, the legislature passed sweeping reforms to the entire ballot initiative process.

Federal trial over Florida’s ballot amendment process underway

A federal trial is underway that will determine the future of Florida’s ballot amendment process.