Ashley Hunter
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A federal judge this week extended the deadline for voter registration in Florida for another week in response to a complaint filed a day earlier by the League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVF) and the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) against the Governor and Secretary of State.
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued his ruling on Wednesday, Oct. 12.
He was reported saying that he had acted swiftly because "no right is more precious than having a voice in our democracy."
Originally set to close on Tuesday, Oct. 11, and then extended by the judge until Wednesday, the registration books will now close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Meaning that citizens who haven’t yet registered to vote now have extra time to do so.
"We'll now be able to make up for lost time and help register people whose lives were disrupted by the storm," said Pamela Goodman, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, following the judge’s ruling. "Our goal is to help every Floridian register, vote, and be heard, and we're grateful that the storm did not silence their voices."
The LWVF and FDP filed their complaint against Florida Governor Rick Scott and Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner on Tuesday, after the latter declined to extend the voter registration deadline in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.
In their complaint, the LWVF and FDP argued that the threat of the hurricane had caused the ordered evacuation of 1.5 million Floridians and the closing of government offices. The two further argued that the storm, which hit just days before Oct. 11, had interrupted and effectively put an end to voter registrations.
The suit further cited the National Voter Registration Act, which provides that the registration cutoff may be no more than 30 days before an election.
"This decision means that many more voters will be able to participate in our democracy," Goodman said
"This was the only fair result," said Chris Carson, president of the League of Women Voters of the United States. "The League will be working across the state to register voters right up to the extended deadline."
Myrna Perez, deputy director of the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, argued the case on behalf of the League.
"This decision means that many more voters will be able to participate in our democracy," said Pérez. "The right to vote is fundamental, and this is an important outcome."
The Madison County Supervisor of Elections Office on Wednesday confirmed that it would be accepting new voter registrations through Tuesday, Oct. 18. Madison residents who have not yet registered to vote can do so by printing off a registration form at votemadison.com and either mail, or bring the form into the Supervisor of Elections office, located at 239 SW Pinckney St., in Madison. Forms are also available at the elections office.