Thursday, August 30, 2012

Good News For Voters in Florida

A federal judge has blocked parts of Florida’s restrictive voting laws.

A federal judge agreed Wednesday to permanently bar the state from enforcing some provisions in Florida’s new election law, which restricted voter registration drives conducted by third-party groups or individuals such as the League of Women Voters and teachers.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle signed an order saying he intends to issue a permanent injunction once the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta dismisses the state’s appeal of a preliminary injunction he issued on May 31 or sends the case back to him.

Hinkle temporarily prohibited the state from enforcing most of the new restrictions, including a requirement that new voters’ registration forms be submitted to the state within 48 hours of being signed. The order restored a previous 10-day deadline.

In that ruling, Hinkle wrote the state was unlikely to prevail if the case went to trial.

Three civic groups challenged the restrictions, alleging they violated constitutional voting rights.

Those darn activist judges; always interfering in things that is none of their business, like interpreting the law and Constitution and stuff.

This ruling doesn’t cure all the ills wrought by the Republicans against the voters, but it’s a big step.