Labor union bosses are on the verge of passing legislation called the Employee Free Choice Act and denying employees the right to cast their ballot in private in union organizing elections. Rather than holding a monitored workplace election using secret ballots as has been the case for decades, under this proposal the union would automatically be created in businesses with more than ten employees once the union collects "authorization cards" signed by a majority of the employees. No questions. No debate. No secret ballot. You're unionized. The right to vote in private, free from coercion or intimidation, is one of the pillars of our nation's democracy and transcends partisanship.

And while efforts to oppose EFCA in Washington continue, I am now taking action as part of a national effort underway in 10 other states to Save Our Secret Ballot ( www.sosballot.org) so that in Florida we can protect and preserve the fundamental right to a secret ballot and democratic workplace elections. State Sen. Garrett Richter and I are sponsoring joint resolutions which, with voter approval, would amend Florida's constitution "to protect and preserve the fundamental right of individuals to vote by a secret ballot" in all elections required by federal, state or local law. Most would assume that voting by a secret ballot is already a constitutionally guaranteed right, but it is not.

Recently, the Democrats in the Florida House of Representatives elected their party leader using a secret ballot process. If choosing their workplace leader by secret ballot is good enough for Democratic politicians in Tallahassee, then guaranteeing the right to secret ballot elections should be the right thing to do for the workers of our state. Electing those who represent us at work is just as important as electing those who represent us in government. Voters cast their votes free from fear of retribution from their government, and they deserve the same right to be free of fear of retaliation from their union, their employer and their fellow employees.

Because if we don't stand up to protect the right to a secret ballot today, what rights will we be fighting to hold onto tomorrow?

Adam Hasner (R - Delray Beach) is the Majority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives and sponsor of HJR 1013.