Florida's Republican-dominated Legislature has approved a bill that would shorten the number of days for early voting, tighten rules for registration drives, and limit when voters can submit address changes,
The New York Times reports. Democrats are crying foul and alleging voter suppression as they pressure GOP Gov. Rick Scott to veto the bill.
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| Sen. Bill Nelson |
“I have asked the U.S. Department of Justice for an investigation if this bill becomes law,” U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., wrote in a letter to Scott.
Supporters say the measure promotes a more orderly and transparent electoral process in the land of the 2000 presidential vote fiasco.
“There is a desire to make sure we don’t have fraud and the kinds of mistakes that lead to embarassment to our state,” said State Sen. Don Gaetz, a Republican from North Florida.
Opponents contend that Republicans are trying to tamp down Democratic turnout ahead of next year’s presidential election. The bill would change early voting from 14 days to eight. It also eliminates spot address changes at polling stations, and requires outside groups to send completed voter-registration forms to elections officials within 48 hours.
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