Florida
is one of the key swing states that have been leading this voter suppression laws
among the republican lead states. They have been trying to disenfranchise
African Americans and minorities from voting in the upcoming elections.
A
federal court says a Florida law that restricts the number of early-voting days
could result in a dramatic reduction in voting by blacks.
The
Republican-controlled Florida legislature last year cut the number of
early-voting days to eight from 12.
But
the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled late Thursday that
because of the law’s potential impact on minority voters, it would not allow
Florida to put the changes in place in five Florida counties covered by federal
voting laws.
The
court said that evidence presented in the case clearly showed that black voters
utilized early voting much more than white voters do, especially in the 2008
election, when President Barack Obama won Florida.
“In
sum, Florida is left with nothing to rebut either the testimony of the
defendants’ witnesses or the common-sense judgment that a dramatic reduction in
the form of voting that is disproportionately used by African-Americans would
make it materially more difficult for some minority voters to cast a ballot,”
states the ruling issued by a three-judge panel.
The
119-page ruling did say there were ways that the state could ultimately come up
with a plan to change early voting that would not adversely impact minority
voting rights.
The
court did not address the voter registration restrictions because a separate
federal court recently blocked them. But the court did uphold the
address-change provision that some critics saw as a way to blunt voting by
college students.
A
spokesman for Republican Gov. Rick Scott , who signed the measures into law
last year, emphasized that the court did suggest there was still a way for
Florida to make the early voting changes.
“Although
the governor hasn’t had a chance to review the ruling, it’s encouraging that
the court upheld part of the law and outlined a path for Florida to get
pre-clearance for the voting hours provision as well,” said Brian Burgess.
Five
Florida counties — Collier, Hardee, Hendry, Hillsborough and Monroe — are
covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
