Hello DWC members and friends, here is an urgent update from Florida Decides Healthcare, the sponsor of the Medicaid petition.
We’re presenting the complete update as received.
On July 1 EVERYTHING changes, even the mailing address.
Please follow these instructions, as the campaign can incur heavy fines for any violation!
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“Florida Decides Healthcare Volunteer Newsletter: Important Procedural Updates
Thank you for your incredible efforts this month! We are committed to bringing affordable healthcare access to Florida, but due to HB1205 our process is changing July 1. Please read below to ensure you are in compliance.
New Petition Process Starting 7/1
As a reminder several of the draconian provisions of HB1205 – the new law limiting citizen-led amendments by creating hurdles that make it harder and costlier for communities to come together and make change – goes into effect July 1, 2025. Here’s what you should be aware of regarding the July 1 changes:
The petition form will change 7/1. All blank copies of the previous form should be disposed of by 6/30 and everyone should switch forms starting 7/1. We will provide copies of the new form as soon as we have it.
Blank petitions will be available. Anyone can print, store, sort, and distribute the new blank petition forms.
However, no individual may gather more than 25 signed petitions without being a registered petition circulator.
Starting 7/1 until further notice, we will shift to distributing petition forms rather than collecting them; that is, you must not collect any petitions signed by voters starting on 7/1 and signed petitions must not be returned to hubs.
Instead, you can pick up pre-addressed postage paid envelopes and should provide these envelopes to voters to submit their own completed petitions. Envelopes will be available at all hubs by the end of day 7/1.
Voters should mail petitions to:
3948 3rd St S #26
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
If you are not a registered circulator, do not touch any completed petitions (even if enclosed in envelopes).
While anyone can distribute petitions, no one should collect petitions unless: (i) they register as a petition circulator, and (ii) are FL residents, US citizens, and do not have a felony conviction.
Starting 7/1, petitions signed by voters will not be accepted at hubs.
If you are not registered to circulate petitions, do not touch any signed petitions.
Please be aware this process may change in the future, as we filed another preliminary injunction and the hearing is scheduled for June 30th. We are optimistic about what comes next, both for the remaining parts of HB 1205 that we’re challenging and for the future of citizen-led democracy in Florida, and will advise if there are any changes. No matter what happens with the litigation, our petition operations will continue.
Training
If you haven’t already joined a Volunteer Training Call or watched our quick Volunteer Training On-Demand, I encourage you to do so to find out more about the many ways to support the Medicaid Expansion effort. The training has been updated to reflect July 1 changes.
There are many community events happening daily throughout the state where we can distribute petitions. If you are aware of any upcoming opportunities, please let us know either by responding to this email or by submitting an event. Find a running list of all of our and our coalition partners’ events on Mobilize.
Please Note: Unless you already have petitions and envelopes on hand, you will need at least a day (ideally 2-3) of lead time to ensure you can pick-up petitions and envelopes.
We also need help with follow-up calls to voters whose petitions have been rejected. You can call these voters from anywhere at any time—just a few calls a day go a long way. No previous phonebanking experience is required.
Finally, it is important we keep Medicaid Expansion on the radar of Floridians and encourage engagement through social media and by sharing the stories of individuals who will benefit from this crucial legislation. If you are interested in joining our social media team and/or sharing your story, please let me know!
No matter how you’re able to engage, your hard work is what will ensure Medicaid Expansion is on the ballot in Florida in 2026.
If you have any questions, or are looking to get involved but aren’t sure how to get started, please reach out to anachristina@floridadecideshealthcare.org. Thank you for your commitment to improving Florida healthcare!”
