FPF Launches Campaign to Register All FPF Members to Vote  

Florida’s State Capitol, located in Tallahassee, is considered the “center” of our state government.  Florida’s Governor and Cabinet, Legislature, and 26 state agencies operate in the “shadow” of the State Capitol, and as such, draws a great deal of attention from over 300 lobbying associations headquartered in Tallahassee.  The FPF is one of these many advocacy groups and/or associations competing for nearly 200 elected and/or government officials’ time and consideration. 

Elected officials are no doubt the most “sought after” at all levels of government because of their decision-making roles within government.  For example, due to the action of Legislators (elected officials), over 40 different state laws and/or rules have been adopted and placed into the statutes that directly benefit Firefighters and Paramedics. 

Therefore, in order to be more effective, the FPF will always be searching for ways to be in a better position to advocate our interests.  Whether it’s an office in Tallahassee, retaining professional staff and competent legal counsel, or being active in campaigns and elections, the FPF will be working to be more involved in the decision-making process. 

One of the best ways possible will be to strongly recommend that all 20,000 FPF members exercise the basic right of government, and that is “To Vote.”  With this action, we are launching a campaign to register all FPF members to vote. 

No program or political activity can be more important than making sure that all 20,000 members of the FPF are registered to vote and vote in every election.

Our “sign ‘em up and take time to vote” campaign will be ongoing, and initially will have several goals: 

• First, and foremost, will be the effort to identify all currently registered voters among the FPF’s membership.  This step will be accomplished by cross-referencing our membership database with the registered voters list provided by Florida’s Supervisor of Elections.  We’ll utilize this new database to organize our grassroots activities, such as “Get Out The Vote” on Election Day, direct communications with FPF members who are registered to vote, and potential fundraising efforts.
• Our second goal will be to identify any member that is not registered to vote.  Obviously, we’ll communicate with them and encourage every member of the FPF to be registered, thereby unifying our voices in the electoral process.
• Finally, and most important, is the ultimate goal to have all 20,000 members registered to vote, and voting in every election.  Regardless of which level of government is conducting “Elections” (State, City, County, Special District, etc.), your participation is vitally important.    

Campaigns involving statewide races, i.e., Governor, members of the Florida Cabinet, U.S. Senate, together with races in the Florida Senate and House of Representatives Districts, are examples of how 20,000 FPF registered voters will play an important part come Election Day.   

Each and every political consultant consistently advises the FPF that “super voters” are the most sought after individuals in the electoral process.  A super voter is defined as someone who votes every time the polls are open and/or there is a candidate or issue on the ballot “EVERY TIME”. 

This register to vote our members and mobilization of FPF voters campaign will become the center piece of the FPF’s political action program, and will always be a visible part of every Executive Board and Council meeting, Annual Conventions, statewide publication, etc. 

Do your individual part by making sure you’re registered to vote, always vote in every election (Super Voter in both the primary and general) and encourage each member of your local, as well as family and friends to do the same. 

Be a True American by Voting.