The Florida Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is hosting a series of online public panels to hear testimony regarding Florida’s readiness to implement and enforce voting rights when widespread major emergencies such as natural disasters, hurricanes, or other unexpected calamities arise. A two-panel series of public briefings will take place:
Panel I: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm ET
Online registration: https://tinyurl.com/35hmrmjb
Members of the public will be invited to speak during an open comment period towards the last 20 minutes of each panel. Members of the public are encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives of voting in the state during times of natural disaster or other emergency management. The Committee will also accept written comments related to this study. Please send written statements on this topic to Liliana Schiller, at lschiller@usccr.gov by April 30, 2025.
Closed captions will be provided. Individuals requiring additional accommodations should contact lschiller@usccr.gov at least 7 business days prior to the meeting to make the request.
Committee Chair Nadine Smith said, “The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was created to ensure that no American is denied their rights based on who they are or where they live. As Florida faces increasingly frequent and intense hurricanes and other disasters, we must be vigilant to ensure that these emergencies don’t become barriers to the ballot box. Our democracy is strongest when every voter can make their voice heard, no matter the storm.”
The Committee will provide the Commission with their findings and recommendations on these topics at the conclusion of the study. Meeting materials will be available following each briefing at Florida Advisory Committee Public Folder.
lschiller@usccr.gov