Proposed Bill Would 'Cancel' Florida's Democratic Party

TALLAHASSEE, FL — A bill introduced in the Florida Senate this week wants to "cancel" the state's Democratic Party, citing its historical stance on slavery.

SB 1248 — also called "The Ultimate Cancel Act" — was introduced Tuesday by Republican Sen. Blaise Ingoglia.

While the proposed bill doesn't specifically mention Democrats, it calls for state election officials to "immediately cancel the filings of a political party, to include its registration and approved status as a political party, if the party’s platform has previously advocated for, or been in support of, slavery or involuntary servitude."

Throughout much of the early and mid-1800s, the Democratic Party supported slavery, according to NBC News. Southern Democrats in particular supported slavery in all U.S. territories and opposed Republican measures protecting civil and voting rights for Black Americans for decades.

If passed, state election officials would be required to notify Florida voters registered as Democrats that the political party has been "canceled." Their voter registration information would then reflect "No Party Affiliation," according to the bill.

The Democratic Party could reform, according to the bill, but only under a "substantially different" name.

"For years now, leftist activists have been trying to 'cancel' people and companies for things they have said or done in the past. This includes the removal of statues and memorials, and the renaming of buildings," Ingoglia said in a statement obtained by WESH. "Using this standard, it would be hypocritical not to cancel the Democrat Party itself for the same reason."

In a statement provided to NBC News, the Florida Democratic Party called the bill "unconstitutional" and "unserious."

"Presenting a bill that would disenfranchise 5 million voters is both unconstitutional and unserious. Under Ron DeSantis, Senator Ingoglia is using his office to push bills that are nothing more than publicity stunts instead of focusing on the issues that matter most to Floridians,” the statement read.

This year's legislative session starts March 7.