To: Carlos A. Gimenez, Miami-Dade County Mayor and All Miami-Dade County Commissioners

Mayor Gimenez: Don't deny Miami-Dade voters the right to free and fair elections

We demand that you direct the supervisor of elections to immediately begin counting the over 127,000 petitions submitted to ensure Miami-Dade voters are heard this election. Residents deserve a public vote on new campaign-finance laws to get big money out of politics.

Why is this important?

Last week, New Florida Majority and its partners turned in over 127,000 petitions in Miami-Dade County calling for an initiative on the ballot this November to reduce the power of big-money interests and give ordinary people a stronger voice in our elections. While this fight is local, its success could strengthen the movement to get big money out of politics across the country.

Wealthy special interests have too big a say in who gets to run for office and what laws get passed. Political donations have a large amount of influence over the political process, and the vibrant diversity of communities around the country, such as Miami-Dade County, isn't represented in the donor class.

For example, Black people make up one-fifth of Miami-Dade County's population, but only two percent of donors to mayoral candidates. The donor pool for county commission candidates includes more Black donors but is still not representative.

The ballot initiative in Miami-Dade, which successfully gained 127,000 petition signatures, would encourage a more diverse donor pool and empower the county's Black population, and it could pave the way for similar legislation around the country. The initiative would lower contribution limits, prohibit contributions from big county contractors and their lobbyists, and strengthen enforcement and update the county's public financing program to replace the large donations from wealthy special interests with small donations from ordinary people.

The people of Miami-Dade have spoken, and they want this initiative on the November ballot. Will you stand with them and make sure their voices are heard?

All the rules regarding petition circulation and delivery were followed in Miami-Dade, and now it is time for the Elections Department to fulfill its duty to count and verify the petitions in time for the 2016 election. Mayor Carlos Gimenez and the county commissioners cannot ignore the voices of 127,000 people and deny the right to free and fair elections to Miami-Dade's residents.