HB 1355 - Florida's New Election Law

Post date: Jan 31, 2012 3:35:48 AM

Last year, our state legislators passed, and our Governor signed House Bill 1355, a restrictive election law. This type of law was passed in many Republican controlled states over the last couple of years. Most of the changes impact the ability to vote for people who supported Obama last time -- seniors, young voters, poor people, and minorities.

The Florida law

1. Cuts the number of early voting days from 14 to 8.

2. Eliminates voting on the Sunday before the election.

3. Requires submission of third-party voter registration forms within 48 hours.

4. Requires third-party voter registrars to sign an oath that includes details on prison time and fines for any violations.

5. Limits signatures on initiative petitions to 2 years instead of 4.

6. Makes votes for people who update their addresses on the spot provisional.

7. Forces people who want absentee ballots to request them for every election.

The League of Women Voters found the law so unworkable for registering new voters that they have suspended their efforts and are challenging the law in federal court. The suit has been joined by Rock the Vote and the Florida Public Interest Research Education Fund. Already their lawyers have subpoenaed and ordered eleven state legislators to turn over all documents related to the law, including Senator Fasano who voted against the bill. The NAACP and the Hispanic advocacy group National Council of La Raza are also critical of the law.

In addition, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has stated his concerns. In five counties where Florida discriminated against voters in the past, federal approval of the new law is required. Instead of having Holder rule on it, Florida has requested a decision on the changes from a panel of three federal judges in the District of Columbia.

Back in October, Senator Bill Nelson asked for hearings on these laws and the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Rights held the first one in Tampa on Jan. 27. Senator Dick Durbin and the committee heard testimony about the reasoning behind the bill. Although Governor Scott was asked to appear, he refused.