TAMPA, Fla. — A federal court hearing took place Tuesday in Tallahassee to consider arguments on a new law that would have an impact on community-based organizations engaged in voter registration.

What You Need To Know

  • SB7050 includes placing a $50,000 fine on third party organizations who allow non-citizens to register people to vote

  • According to the American Civil Liberties many of the state organizations who help register people have more than 50 percent of it’s employee’s who are non-citizens

  • Faith in Florida is an organizations who spreads the word of voting through registering people to vote

  • Tampa Bay Young Republicans works to get more people to the polls through social media and backing candidates

The law would impose a $50,000 fine on third-party organizations that allow non-citizens to register people to vote. Cervantes believes this will create additional barriers for Florida's immigrant community.

Adriel Cepeda, Deputy Director for the American Civil Liberties, revealed that many state organizations, which assist in voter registration, have over 50 percent of their employees who are non-citizens.

For Cirenio Cervantes, becoming the first college graduate in his family was a significant milestone, especially as a DACA recipient. Cervantes stated, "I came here when I was 7, I grew up undocumented and growing up, even in high school, I dreamed of going to college."

His dream materialized, thanks to the organization "Faith in Florida," to which he has been dedicated for nearly a decade. Through this organization, Cervantes has had the opportunity to speak on topics he is passionate about, such as voting.

"I've been going out into the community in Hillsborough and even Pinellas," he stated.

However, his efforts to reach more voters may come to a halt.

"I can't vote, so I hope that by helping other people register to vote, they can also be part of my voice," he expressed.

While organizations like Faith in Florida argue the law makes it harder to spread the message of voting, the Tampa Bay Young Republicans say it enhances election security and safeguards Floridians' right to vote.

"The ability for third-party organizations to just go out and collect this money and do whatever they want is just not good for our elections," said Jake Hoffman, a representative of the Tampa Bay Young Republican since 2018..

According to Hoffman, this law will only serve to enhance election security and ensure that every citizen has a fair opportunity to vote.

"There's a very short lifecycle between you requesting your ballot and putting your ballot back in, and other people are not handling it along the way," he explained.

Attempts were made to reach out to the bill's sponsor, Senator Travis Hutson's office, but no response has been received yet.