Polling of Legislators for Special Session on 'Stand Your Ground' Begins

Gov. Rick Scott may have rejected the Dream Defenders' call for a special legislative session to discuss the Stand Your Ground law in Florida, but Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, and other legislators have filed written certificates with the Department of Stateto convene a special session to discuss the law.

Williams took to his Twitter accountto post the image of the poll form. Williams tweeted "Since the FL Gov didn't want 2 call a special session 2 repeal/reform SYG-many legislators have started the process" with the document image attached.

"Twenty percent of the members [of the] Florida Legislature have filed written certificates with the Department of State asserting that conditions warrant convening the Legislature into special session for the general purpose of addressing Florida's Stand Your Ground law," read the document. Under Florida law, the Department of State must poll members of the Legislature and receive an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members of both houses to convene a special session.

The governor rejected a special session in July when he met with protesters at the Capitol. The Dream Defenders have been camped out in Gov. Scott's office for 28 days and have vowed to remain at the Capitol until a special session is called.

Williams was joined by other legislators who also filed written certificates to convene a special session.

I commend those members who have joined me in my request for a special session," said Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, in a statement released Monday. "While the House speaker has indicated that the Legislature may hold a hearing later this year on certain policies, including Stand Your Ground, I strongly believe that a special session is the best way to justly address the concerns of our constituents. As the secretary of state begins the polling of the Legislature, I urge my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans alike, to answer in the affirmative to the request.