The controversial SB 90 measure introduced by State Senator Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala) that would ban election ballot drop boxes in Florida, has now caught the eye of members of the U.S. Congress.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R), a long-time friend of Sen. Baxley, responded to The Floridian’s request for comment on the recently-passed House H.R. 1 election bill.
While Rubio did not specifically mention Baxley’s legislation, the senior senator from Florida’s statement covered all of the Republican's arguments against Democrat efforts to fundamentally change national election laws and practices, including the dropbox issue.
“Florida has one of the best voting systems in the world,” stated Rubio. “What Democrats are proposing is to tell Florida that we can no longer run our own elections.”
Rubio added that HB 1 would “eliminate” existing safeguards in the state’s election system, and “force” Florida to “make the type of changes that increase uncertainty, decrease transparency, and further erode faith in our elections.”
“Their bill would eliminate our safeguards and force our state to make the type of changes that increase uncertainty, decrease transparency, and further erode faith in our elections,” he concluded. “I will never support handing control of Florida’s elections over to Washington, D.C.”
One of those safeguards Rubio could be referring to is the protection of the ballot chain of custody safeguard that Republicans maintain is compromised by drop boxes, which is exactly what Baxley is arguing.
Baxley introduced the proposal, saying that he wants “to maintain that chain of evidence from the time they vote to the time until they get counted so we don’t have a mishap.”
He adds that “a real security concern” exists, but Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D) doesn’t see it that way, calling the measure “shameful” and “down-right wrong.”
“Drop boxes are a safe, convenient way for voters to submit their ballots,” stated Rep. Murphy. “Tallahassee Republicans are once again trying to make it more difficult to vote just so they can cling to power.”
The For The People Act (H.R.1) is not expected to pass in the U.S. Senate.
