(English) Early Voting Locations and Times by County

(Español) Lugares y Horarios de Período de Votación Adelantada

Check out our voter guide resource page before heading to the polls!

The post Vote Early! Click Here For Early Voting Dates and Locations appeared first on Florida Family Action.

Now more than ever we need strong Christian influences in politics AT EVERY LEVEL of government.  

If you agree with this statement, can we count on your support as we head into the last 12 days of this election?

There is so much more we can do before election day to continue to reach Florida voters with our voter guides and resources. But we need your help to do this.

As you know, early voting began Monday for 50 of Florida’s 67 counties. This Saturday, early voting will be open for all Florida counties. Distributing our voter resources now is critical to ensure these voters receive all the information they need to make wise and informed decisions when they vote.

Most political experts agree that whichever presidential candidate wins Florida will also win this election.   

This is not an election to sit on the sidelines.

Remember, for every candidate you and I have the opportunity to vote for, we are voting more for their policy positions, than for the person themselves.

Almost more important than the President’s race this election are the thousands of other down-ballot races at every level of government in Florida which will be negatively affected if there is a low Christian voter turnout. A poor voter turnout would impact these races in our local school boards, county and city commission races, state legislative races and congressional races, etc.

Did you know that EVERY single state house, state senate and congressional seat in Florida is up for election and on the ballot this year? 

The number of Christian voters we will be able to reach,

and therefore, the impact you and FFA will be able to make in these final days,

is determined by the funds raised right now, leading up to November 8^th!

Can we count on your support and partnership with us at this critical time?

THE CHRISTIAN VOTE IS THE KEY TO WINNING FLORIDA AND PROTECTING OUR SHARED VALUES!

Floridians are living in the most valuable piece of political real estate in America because Florida is a key swing state and the Presidential election will directly turn on how Florida votes.

Christians are one of the most strategic constituencies (if not THE most strategic constituency) to the outcome of this election.  And right now, many are confused on how to vote.  We need to reach out to them with educational voting resources now!

The outcome of November 8th will steer the course of our nation and our Supreme Court for the next 30 years – for either good or evil. You can do your part today by voting, sharing our voter resources with family and friends and by giving so we can share these resources with others.

Would you please make the most generous contribution you can right now to invest in this very strategic work we are doing here in Florida, which will directly impact the results of this entire election and the future of our great nation?  

Thank you SO MUCH for your ongoing support and for not giving up on “the good worth fighting for.”

Sincerely,

John Stemberger

President, Florida Family Action

For your convenience we have listed our Voter Guide Resources below:

View and download our General Election Voter Guide HERE. Please print as many copies as you need! Click HERE for Spanish.

View and download our 2016 Florida Amendment Guide HERE for a breakdown of what each proposed amendment means and how we suggest you vote.

Our in-depth Online Interactive Voter Guide HERE features all federal and state offices on November’s ballot including the President, US Senate, US House, Florida Senate, and Florida House.

Our Judicial Voter Guide HERE is available for you to learn more about the judicial candidates up for a retention vote or election.

And our first-ever Legislative Scorecard HERE will show you how your elected officials (many of whom are running for re-electionthis year) have voted regarding pro-family pro-life issues in Florida – this is a strong tool to keep them accountable!

In some areas, we are also able to provide you with local community Voter Guides HERE featuring city and county candidates/issues.

ALL of these tools are available online at www.FloridaElectionCentral.com.

NOTE:  If these voting resources are helpful to you and your family, and you would like to give a gift to help offset the cost of our research and making all of these resources available, you can do that HERE.

The post We need this now more than ever! Do you agree? appeared first on Florida Family Action.

CRITICAL FACTS YOU NEED KNOW ABOUT AMENDMENT 2 “MEDICAL MARIJUANA”

We agree there is a real need to help people suffering with debilitating medical conditions and to alleviate pain. However, the goal of Amendment 2 is not to help the sick, but to create a constitutional right to grow, sell, and consume pot. 

Pot Candy: Medicine? (30 sec)	More Pot Shops than McDonalds, Starbucks, & 7-Elevens Combined (60 sec)

Amendment 2 claims to be about legalizing just medical marijuana, but its wording amounts to the de-facto legalization of pot in Florida. 

Prominent and well-respected groups such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Epilepsy Society, Florida Medical Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Farm Bureau, Florida Baptist Convention, Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Christian Family Coalition and Florida Family Action, among others are publicly opposing Amendment 2. Elected officials (both Republican and Democrat) have also urged a no vote on 2. And at least five former Florida Supreme Court Justices oppose Amendment 2.

Amendment 2 is bad policy for Florida. Here are five critical reasons why we believe you should VOTE NO on Amendment 2:

1. FLORIDA ALREADY HAS MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The Florida Legislature already legalized medical marijuana. In fact, TWO different laws are actively in effect today. In 2014, Florida passed “Charlotte’s Web” allowing the use of low-THC (non-euphoric) marijuana by those suffering from cancer, seizures or severe muscle spasms and for whom no other treatment has proven effective.

In 2015, Florida’s “Right to Try Act” was amended to include medical marijuana, allowing patients with terminal conditions to access the drug without FDA approval. We recognize the real need to help people suffering with debilitating medical conditions and to alleviate pain. We believe these two EXISTING laws properly provide for these situations and that Amendment 2 is completely unnecessary.

2. FLORIDA DOES NOT NEED 2,000 POT SHOPS
If this amendment passes, within the first year approximately 2,000 “pot shops” will spring up around the state (according to estimates from Florida’s Department of Health.) This is twice the number of McDonald’s restaurants in the state of Florida.

3. ALLOWING THE SALE OF UNSAFE “EDIBLES” PUTS CHILDREN AT RISK
Amendment 2 legalizes marijuana foods (edible products laced with marijuana) which will include cookies, candies, and “pot-tarts.” These are obviously enticing to children, and in “medical” marijuana states like California, children are being rushed to the ER after unknowingly consuming marijuana in the form of candy.

States where medical marijuana is legal have been shown to have higher rates of calls to poison-control centers and ER visits by children under 9 years of age for unintentional marijuana exposure. Edible products have also caused deaths in Colorado.

4. AMENDMENT 2 WOULD PROHIBIT REGULATION OF THE POT INDUSTRY
Amendment 2 ties the hands of our elected representatives to respond to its inevitable unintended consequences. Because it grants a fundamental “constitutional right” to sell, purchase and consume marijuana, the Florida Legislature and other state regulatory bodies would be unable to pass common-sense legislation to correct problems with the amendment’s outcomes. Instead, another constitutional amendment will be necessary, a very lengthy and costly process.

This is not an issue appropriate for a Constitution, a document intended for fundamental rights and the structure of government. Florida has an unfortunate history of placing policy issues in our state Constitution – like fish net bans, pregnant pig regulations and others. The bottom line is this: drugs should not be permanently enshrined in Florida’s Constitution.

 5. INCREASED POTENCY LEVELS MEAN INCREASED HEALTH RISKS
Marijuana would not be dispensed at pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription. Instead, it would be sold by what the marijuana industry refers to as “budtenders,” with NO medical training or clinical experience required.

Further, Amendment 2 does not regulate the strength or potency of the marijuana being used. In Colorado, THC levels have increased from around 15% to more than 20%, and levels in extracted hashish or concentrates can reportedly reach 90%. There have been increased public safety incidences and the CDC warns of the “potential danger.” There is no standard amount, quality or limit to the pot that may be contained in an edible. As in other states, the wide range of marijuana products available and their increased potency would have serious public health implications for Florida.

A printable version of our “Five Critical Reasons to VOTE NO on Amendment 2” and other free voter guide resources (Candidates, Amendments, Judges, Local Races) are available at FloridaElectionCentral.com. 

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!  If our voter guide resources have been helpful to you, your family and your church please consider supporting this important effort with a gift here.

The post Facts you need to know about the medical marijuana Amendment 2. Must see video. Early voting starts today. appeared first on Florida Family Action.