Floridians for Democracy
TAKE ACTION
We cannot be silent.
We cannot be indifferent.
About Floridians for Democracy
We envision a state of Florida where all elected leaders proactively implement laws ensuring all residents have equal opportunity, regardless of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation as granted by democratic freedoms dictated in the Constitution.
Join us in Action
Raise your hand. Become a candidate. Encourage others.
School Board? Fire District? City Council? Mayor? Florida needs YOU!
Below are two examples of many. If you are thinking about running for anything, there are resources in Florida and nationally to assist you.
Maxwell Frost, US House of Representatives
Maria Salamanca, Orange County School Board
Candidate Resources (Examples)
We invite FFD Participants and Partners to provide more examples of Florida candidates who share our values to protect democracy. Please also suggest information & resources to support and educate candidates. Submit suggestions to info@floridiansfordemocracy.org.
Speak up. Attend school board meetings. Join a protest march. Write letters.
Below are two examples of many. If you are standing up for something to help save and protect democracy in Florida, let us know: info@floridiansfordemocracy.org.
The Purple Group
The Purple Group is a non-partisan group of Lee County residents from all walks of life who advocate for public schools, students, parents, and educators in Lee County, Florida. The Purple Group believes in learning, parents’ rights, respect for educators, accountability, and are dedicated to protecting public schools from political interference. Volunteers attend school board meetings, write letters and articles, post and share on social media, and educate themselves and others. “We believe public schools, welcoming to all students and their families, are the bedrock of our multi-cultural, multi-ethnic democracy.”
Visit the Purple Group on Facebook
Click to learn more about The Purple Group.
First Amendment Foundation
The First Amendment Foundation is a highly visible and accessible source of authoritative information, expertise, and assistance to the public and news media. FAF advocates for the rights of freedom of speech and press enshrined in the First Amendment, as well as for open meetings and access to public records protected by the Florida constitution and statutes. FAF does this work primarily through education programs, litigation activities, and legislative advocacy. The First Amendment Foundation believes that government openness and transparency are critical to citizen trust and involvement in our democratic society. Through ongoing monitoring of the state’s laws and decision-making and the education of government officials and citizens, FAF promotes the public’s constitutional right to oversee and to participate freely in the governance process.
Hate is intensifying in Florida.
The Southern Poverty Law Center in 2022 tracked 89 hate and anti-government groups in Florida. In 2025, that number is 100 and counting.
Due to Florida laws that promote discrimination and hate for immigrants, people of color, and LGBTQ community; the following organizations have posted travel advisories:
- Equality Florida
- Human Rights Campaign
- NAACP
- League of United Latin American Citizens
- Florida Immigrant Coalition
Below is an example of a group pushing back against hate. If you are aware of other examples pushing back against hate, please let us know: info@floridiansfordemocracy.org.
Concerned Citizens of Southern Lee County
As brazen demonstrations of the Nazi swastika, SS symbols and public displays of anti-Semitic rhetoric grew throughout Florida, Liz Matt of Bonita Springs was motivated to convene interested individuals to meet at her local library. The room was filled to overflow capacity. This led to the formation of a group to confront this menace, reassure neighbors of their safety, and how to address hate. Subsequently, these concerned citizens have met with law enforcement, legislators and social justice leaders to share their concerns and coordinate resistance. There is much more to do!
VOTE!
"We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” — Thomas Jefferson
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
If you are an organization helping Get Out The Vote (GOTV) and would like to be identified by FFD, please let us know: info@floridiansfordemocracy.org.
Here are some voter resources:
- Florida voter registration
- Florida vote-by-mail information
- Learn about being a Poll Worker in Florida
- For detailed information on voting in Florida contact League of Women Voters:
- To sign up as a Poll Worker in Florida, contact your local County Board of Elections.
Hundreds of thousands of vote-by-mail requests erased from Florida’s system
Vote-by-mail used to be valid for four years in Florida. New Florida law requires counties to purge all vote-by-mail requests prior to each general election. Thus, it is essential to contact the elections office in your Florida county of residence to request an application, complete it, and send it in. Florida vote-by-mail registration is currently less than one-third of prior years. Sign Up! Do it! Tell others!
To sign up as a Poll Worker in Florida, contact your local County Board of Elections
For detailed information on voting in Florida contact League of Women Voters
Our Mission, Purpose, and Preservation
Mission
Educate Floridians about current assaults on our democracy and constitutional rights --- and promote effective advocacy that will protect both democracy and freedom.
Purpose
Educate Floridians about current assaults on our democracy (including the right to vote, the independence of the courts and the rule of law) and constitutional rights (especially freedom of speech, equal protection and due process) --- and promote effective advocacy to protect democracy and freedom.
How We Preserve Democracy
We fulfill our mission through civic education, advocacy campaigns and collaborative efforts with state and regional partners. We work to equip Floridians with the knowledge and support needed to effectively protect and strengthen our democracy.
Democracy in Florida is in PERIL!
- Where voting and the right to speak freely are suppressed
- Where schoolbooks are banned on whim and not reason
- Where academic freedom and critical thinking among students and faculty in public education and universities is thwarted
- Where cultural freedom is blocked
- Where women’s reproductive rights are controlled by the state
- Where LGBTQ and transgender people are under attack (not only in education, but also in health care and fundamental rights)
- Where businesses and elected officials that disagree with the governor’s agenda are punished
- Where the rights of local governments to make local decisions based on their needs are blocked
- Where minorities and freedom of thought and freedom of living without fear are suppressed
- Where the checks and balance of science, education, media, judiciary, and much more are demeaned and controlled by a minority who are certain they know more
Our Goals
Collaboration Team
Reach out to and work with other pro-democracy organizations (local, state, national) with the same mission to save and preserve democracy.
Example: Co-host a Zoom with Florida Veterans for Common Sense
Collaborate
Education
Educate ourselves and others on laws, policies, and actions in Florida and nationally that put our democracy and freedoms at risk (including right to vote, independence of the courts, and rule of law) plus assaults on our Constitutional rights (especially freedom of speech, equal protection, and due process).
Example: Provide timely, expert-led, educational programs with recommended actions for advocacy and communications.
Educate
Advocacy Team (Get Out the Vote)
Commit and help energize other organizations to “Get Out the Vote” in Florida. Encourage and support pro-democracy individuals to run for office.
Example: Help first time voters learn the importance of voting and how to register to vote.
Advocate
Communicate
Identify and utilize most effective ways to provide consistent and effective messaging that recognizes need to collaborate with and reach out to a broad audience including Independents and Republicans who share concerns with assaults on democracy and freedom.
Examples: Provide and collaborate on civic education and advocacy campaigns. Write letters to the editor. Use social media, postcards, phone calls. Provide content for Newsletters, and social media.
Communicate
Funding
Provide financial support to Floridians for Democracy to educate Floridians about current assaults on our democracy and constitutional rights and promote effective advocacy focused on protecting democracy and freedom.
Examples: Donate. Reach out to those you know to donate. Apply for grants. Educate on the reasons funds are needed.
Fund
Meet Our Board
Upcoming Events
Visit Our Youtube
FFDI along with its sister organization provides exceptional educational programs. See our past newsletters and check out our YouTube channel for past programs such as:
Donate
Donate Online
Donate By Check
Floridians for Democracy Institute, Inc.
C/O Bill Petrarca, Treasurer
18990 S. Tamiami Tr. Suite 4-175
Fort Myers, Fl 33908
Your contribution will be tax deductible in the calendar year that it was made for federal income tax purposes in accordance with applicable law.
Floridians for Democracy Institute, Inc. (FFDI) is a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt educational and charitable public charity. Your donation is tax-deductible.
