Florida Democrats kicked off a plan Thursday to register 200,000 voters before the 2020 elections. Former candidate for governor Andrew Gillum gave it a kick start, presenting a check for $100,000 from his Forward Florida Action group to Terrie Rizzo, head of the Florida Democratic Party.
He spoke at the University of South Florida's Tampa campus about the need for Democrats to do better than they did in 2016, when they lost races for both governor and senator.
"In 2020, we've got to be more intentional and more serious than ever. And we've got to start earlier than six weeks out from election day," he said. "So here we are right now, today, to say that the race toward 2020 and 2022 and beyond begins today."
He also pledged another $400,000 for groups working to get out the minority vote.
Rizzo talked about the launch of Organizing Corps 2020 and the Democratic Party hiring 90 organizers beginning on June 10, who will focus on registering voters and organizing communities across the state.
“On June 10, more than 90 Florida Democratic Party organizers will begin registering voters, organizing communities and building the infrastructure we need to win," she said. "More than half of our new organizers speak Spanish, nearly 20% speak Creole and two-thirds speak two or more languages. We have our eyes on the next generation and together we will organize our state, register voters, and win in 2020.”
Gillum also chimed in on Amendment Four, blasting the Republican-led legislature for being politically motivated by making ex-felons pay full restitution to their victims before they can vote.
