JUDGE UPHOLDS PETITION DEADLINE

Hometown Democracy remains off the 2008 ballot
(ORLANDO, FL - August 29, 2008)

US District Judge Stephen Mickle today told the lawyers running the so-called "Hometown Democracy" campaign that he would not overturn state constitutional requirements in order to put their amendment on the November, 2008 ballot.

"Hometown Democracy failed with the voters and failed in the courts," said Ryan Houck, Executive Director for Floridians for Smarter Growth. "This is a win for the people of Florida who have already said 'no thanks' to this proposal three election cycles in a row."

In June, the lawyers running Hometown Democracy filed a lawsuit in federal court in an attempt to get around petition requirements that groups must meet in order for their proposals to be placed on the ballot. In part, their lawsuit sought to overturn the February 1st petition deadline, which was approved by the voters in 2004.

"On one hand, they claim that they want to empower voters by giving them the final say... On the other hand, they mounted a legal freak show to try to overturn a voter-approved petition deadline," said Houck. "Their hypocrisy knows no bounds."

Hometown Democracy's desperate lawsuit also alleged that a number of federally protected rights had been violated. The court ruled that no constitutional due process or equal protection rights were violated.

Hometown Democracy can still have its issue placed on the November 2010 ballot if it is able to submit the required number of signatures. That number will be 8 percent of the total number of voters who cast ballots in the upcoming presidential election. Initiative campaigns - like Hometown Democracy - must reach that 8 percent threshold in at least half of Florida's 25 congressional districts.

Floridians for Smarter Growth is a statewide coalition of business and community groups united to defeat Hometown Democracy because of the devastating impact it would have on Florida's economy and quality-of-life.
(source: http://florida2010.org/home.php)