Federal Judge Strikes Down Part Of New Voter-Registration Law

Florida’s voter-registration law was blocked, in part, by a federal judge who ruled that some of the restrictions imposed by the statute on groups seeking to sign up voters are unconstitutional.

The Florida law, which regulates community-based voter registration, requires groups to deliver voter applications to the state within 48 hours of completion or face fines. They also must give the state, in advance, the names of every officer or volunteer who solicits and collects applications, according to the ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in Tallahassee, Florida.

The rules “severely restrict” the ability of groups to conduct voter registration drives, Hinkle said in the decision. The 48-hour rule is “harsh and impractical” and serves little, if any, purpose, rendering it unconstitutional even if not in violation of the National Voting Rights Act, Hinkle said.

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