The Democratic and Republican parties are trying to stop Amendment 3 from appearing in the November ballot— even if more than 2.5 million votes have already been cast— but Florida’s secretary of state said it is too late to make this decision.
Amendment 3 proposes that all registered voters, regardless of political party affiliation, could vote in primaries for state legislature, governor and cabinet. All candidates would appear on the same primary ballot and their affiliation may appear on it.
Glenton Gilzean Jr., chief executive officer of the Central Florida Urban League, filed a petition on Oct. 13 in which he asked Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee to prevent ballots for the proposed Amendment 3 from being reported. Gilzean cited two studies from July 2020 arguing that more than half of the districts that have a majority of Black voters in the Democratic Party would lose electoral advantage and would decrease the possibility of having a minority representation.
According to the petition, the Florida League of Women Voters President Patricia Brigham said that the group “definitely supports open primaries.” However, she added, “We do not feel that the top-two primary is the best way to go…. We firmly believe that the top-two would very likely disenfranchise representation in communities of color….”
The secretary of state responded Tuesday saying that Gilzean did not satisfy the requirements for filing this type of petition. She stated it was too late and that changing the ballot would only confuse voters further.
Politicians who are pushing for the amendment argue that 25 percent of Florida voters are not registered to any party, preventing them to participate in the primaries. Supporters have enlisted some high-profile assistance in the campaign, including basketball legend Magic Johnson, who taped a pro-Amendment 3 commercial.
If the amendment passes, it would be effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Race to raise funds for Moffitt Cancer Center kicks-off virtually on Saturday
Since 2006, Moffitt Cancer Center has hosted a race to raise funds for cancer research, and this year, given the pandemic, it will host a virtual “Miles for Moffitt” race.
The event will take place Saturday, and registered racers will be able to tune in for a virtual send-off at 10:00 a.m. They are encouraged to share their activity on social media using the hashtag “MilesForMoffitt.” The center has already raced more than $850,000 this year.
In the past 14 years the event has raised more than $6.4 million in addition to the millions gained from federal support. The research it funds seeks to improve the treatments and digital technology for cancer patients.
“14 years ago, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and I thought I only had a year or less, but God had other plans,” said Terri Palmer in a testimonial for Moffit Cancer Center. “14 years later, I am strong, courageous and compassionate! So proud of Miles for Moffitt, and I do my part every year. I know I’ll be walking in Winter Haven, but I am walking for the ones that didn’t make it.”
This month is also breast cancer awareness month. According to National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women in the United States will develop cancer in their lifetime.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer a little over 17 years ago. I’m doing well. I’m still a Moffitt patient,” said Laura Barber. She and her husband went through treatment at the same time. He was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. “We credit Moffitt for saving both of our lives.”
Moffitt is launching a new critical trial for patients whose breast cancer has spread to their brain. It will be the first of its kind.
The fundraising for Miles for Moffitt will continue until January 31, 2021. People can register individually or in groups for the race until October 24.
As winter comes, manatees arriving in Florida with it
As colder temperatures arrive with the fall season, manatees seek refugee in the warm waters of Florida, and people can enjoy their views in several locations, including Homossasa Springs State Park.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said that in Florida, the manatee population has grown to a minimum of 7,520 animals. They are considered one of the keystone species in the state as their behavior alerts researchers about environmental and habitat changes that occur in Florida’s waters. Manatees are classified as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act from May 2017. The so-called “sea cows” need temperatures of more than 68 degrees to survive.
“That’s why you might find them at springs or power plant outflows,” said Ally Greco, communication and outreach manager of Save the Manatee Club. “It’s a great place to view manatees, but if you are boating out in the water, make sure to avoid posted manatee sanctuaries and always boat slowly in manatee zones and obey the posted speed zones. Manatees are really susceptible to fast-moving boats because they are slow-moving themselves.”
In Homossasa Springs State Park visitors can see rescued manatees that are there because they are ill or injured, most commonly from boat strikes. The animals are released once they can safely return to the wild.
Homossasa Springs also offers a Manatee Educational Program but is it currently unavailable for safety reasons. Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center will also be closed this fall. Officials said they expect to reopen the center on Jan. 6.
Other locations to see manatees in Florida include Blue Spring State Park, Fanning Springs State Parks and the Manatee Observation and Education Center in Fort Pierce, among others.
Credits
Anchors: Bryony Deighton, Dylan Zuccarello
Reporters: Alexandra Rodriguez, Caylee Cottrell
Producer: Carla Ibanez
Writers: Zachary Brown
Graphics editors: Ta’Bria Snowden, Dylan Zuccarello
Associate Producer: Emmanuel Maduneme
Video Editors: Zachary Brown
Show Editors: Calista Muncy, Demi Asensio
Web Editor/Social Media Producer: Angela Cordoba Perez
Graduate Assistant: Emmanuel Maduneme
Faculty Adviser: Jeanette Abrahamsen, Wayne Garcia
