Grassroots groups, unions challenge Fla voter registration law

[DoYouEverWonder]

May 18, 2006

MIAMI (AP) -- A coalition of grassroots organizations and labor unions sued in federal court Thursday to challenge a new Florida law they contend could shut down voter registration efforts by imposing stiff penalties when deadlines are missed to submit the forms.

The law in question, which took effect Jan. 1, imposes fines that begin a $250 for each voter registration form submitted more than 10 days after it is collected from a person. The fines can reach $5,000 for forms that are never submitted. No excuses are permitted.

"Not one delay, not one mistake is acceptable," said Wendy Weiser, deputy director of the Democracy Program at New York University law school's Brennan Center for Justice, which is representing the registration groups. "It's just too risky and too chilling."

The suit contends that violates the Constitution's free speech protections by deterring voter registration drives, which could suppress political speech for thousands of people - especially the poor, elderly, minority groups, rural residents and the disabled.

<snip>

The lawsuit also claims the law violates the Constitution's equal protection clause by exempting political parties from the fines.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_VOTER_REGISTRATION_LAWSUIT_FLOL-?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


So they are going to go after the grassroots organizations with this law, while the political parties are exempt? If nothing else, these guys are slick.

[Clark2008]

1. How would they know?

If you never turned them in or didn't date them until you were getting ready to turn them in?

Such a stupid law.

And such a violation of our civil rights.

Big Brother, ye are here.

[wakeme2008]

2. While I have a problem with the exempt for the major parties

I have no problem with this law.

Before the 2004 election there was a group collecting voter registration in California and other states and throwing out or changing the Dem cards to Repugs. It would be people like this that will have problems with the new law. Any group collecting voter registration forms should be able to get them into the SOE office in 10 days IMHO...

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Back in 2006 in FL there was a problem with groups

collecting large numbers of voter registration, and not submitting them until right before the deadline. The election offices were overwhelmed, and some people's registrations were not processed in time to vote. The only reason to hold off submitting the forms is to get publicity for you group, but I believe that making sure that everyone who is legally entitled to has the opportunity is more important.