National Civil Rights Groups Call for Extension of Florida
Registration Deadline
Call Comes Following Hurricane Michael and Evidence of the Collapse of the State’s Online Voter Registration Portal
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has called on the Florida Secretary of State and Division of Elections to immediately extend the state’s voter registration deadline, which is currently set for today, October 9, 2018.
The request comes following Governor Scott’s declaration of emergency this weekend ahead of Hurricane Michael making landfall.
The request also comes following evidence that the state’s online registration portal has collapsed.
“It is impossible for Florida to close its registration deadline today given the emergency evacuation orders now in place as a result of Hurricane Michael and in the wake of significant evidence that the state’s online registration portal has collapsed,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “Would-be voters across Florida deserve a reasonable opportunity to participate in this election cycle and will be disenfranchised if the state fails to act now. We intend to use every tool in our arsenal, including litigation, to protect voting rights for Florida’s residents under these dire circumstances.”
Clarke continued, “We urge Floridians who have been impacted and who are unable to register to vote to contact our non-partisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE for help.”
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is working on this matter along with Common Cause Florida and other partners.
