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HB 49: The GOP’s Latest Attack on Florida Students and Democracy


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Florida’s 2025 legislative session hasn’t even fully begun, and already Republican lawmakers are doubling down on their war against free speech. On September 26, Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R–District 91) filed HB 49, a bill that would fundamentally change what is—and isn’t—allowed on Florida’s college campuses. If passed, HB 49 would ban:


  • Campaign signs

  • Flyers and literature

  • Campaigning for or with candidates

  • Fundraising and donations

  • Voter registration events tied to political parties or candidates


That list isn’t just regulation—it’s censorship.



A Campus Gag Order


Florida’s colleges and universities have long been vital spaces for civic engagement. Students lead voter registration drives, host candidate forums, debate big ideas, and distribute campaign literature. Under HB 49, those activities would be criminalized if they connect to political candidates or parties.


Imagine this: a student-led group invites local candidates to speak on campus. If those candidates bring signs, literature, or donations are solicited, the event could violate state law. Or a campus chapter of College Democrats or Young Republicans sets up a table to register students to vote—if that registration effort is linked to candidates or parties, it’s banned.


This is not “neutrality.” It’s silencing.



Why It Matters


Young people—especially in Florida—are some of the most disenfranchised voters in the country. College campuses are one of the few places where students are consistently reached, engaged, and encouraged to vote. Stripping away those efforts doesn’t create fairness—it suppresses turnout.


And let’s be clear: this is part of a much bigger project. From book bans to protest restrictions to attacks on academic freedom, HB 49 fits neatly into the pattern of authoritarian overreach that Florida Republicans have been pushing under Ron DeSantis. As Cindy Banyai, candidate for Florida House 78, put it:


“Florida Republicans are trying to strip college campuses of free speech. This is fascism in action and I’m opposed to it.”



Who Gets Silenced


The burden of this bill won’t be felt equally.


  • Student activists—already strapped for resources—will lose access to one of the most efficient ways to engage peers.


  • Local grassroots candidates will struggle to reach young voters, while big-money campaigns continue to dominate through media buys.


  • First-time voters will lose key registration opportunities, making it harder for them to participate at all.



In short: the voices most likely to be shut out are those who already have the least power in Florida politics.



The Bigger Picture


HB 49 is not just about campaign signs and flyers. It’s about silencing the next generation of leaders. It’s about telling young people to stay in their dorm rooms and keep quiet while politicians decide their futures. And it’s about ensuring that the rising political power of students—especially students of color, LGBTQIA students, and immigrant students—is stopped before it can fully take root.


This is what fascism looks like at the ground level. It’s not always tanks in the streets. Sometimes it’s a bill that looks like “neutral regulation” but in reality cuts out the heart of free political expression.



What Comes Next


HB 49 will now move through committee hearings before facing a full vote. That means the time to speak out is now. Students, parents, educators, and community allies must make it clear: free speech doesn’t stop at the campus gates.


Florida doesn’t need fewer voices. It needs more democracy, not less.




Sources for Further Reading



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