The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for July 7, 2023
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Monday, a federal judge temporarily blocked parts of a new Florida law targeting new Americans and communities of color by stopping some voter registration organizations from registering new voters.
Senate Bill 7050 was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in May, and blocks noncitizen volunteers from registering other eligible citizens to vote. Democracy Docket reports that it also criminalizes the possession of voter registration information by any group which may, for example, organize a get out the vote drive. The two provisions would make it more difficult for groups to register and mobilize new Americans, and other communities which have a traditionally low turnout of voters.
Chief Judge Mark E. Walker ordered a temporary stay on the ban on noncitizens registering voters and criminalizing retention of voter registration data. Walker ruled that the plaintiffs were, QUOTE, “substantially likely to succeed on their claim that the citizenship requirement violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.” On the data retention, Walker ruled that the language was vague, and could lead to “arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement.”
The stay on the two parts of the law remain in place while the challenge to SB 7050 continues.
Judge Walker said in the order “The challenged provisions exemplify something Florida has struggled with in recent years; namely, governing within the bounds set by the United States Constitution.”
We have links to SB 7050, the judge’s order and groups taking action, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Democracy Docket – Florida Omnibus Voter Suppression Law Challenge (NAACP)
Democracy Docket – Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Portions of Florida’s New Voter Suppression Law
Naples Daily News – ‘Latest assault on the right to vote’: Judge blocks parts of Florida elections law
Associated Press – US judge blocks portions of new Florida elections law
Politico – Federal judge halts new Florida law he calls ‘latest assault’ on voting
Groups Taking Action:
Florida State Conference of Branches and Youth Units of the NAACP, Hispanic Federation Florida, Equal Ground Education Fund, Voters of Tomorrow Florida, Disability Rights Florida, Alianza for Progress, UnidosUS, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Get ADM Radio Report email! Sign up here!
#Democracy #DemocracyNews #VotingRights #VoterSuppression