TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Voting rights groups are joining the legal fray over whether Florida’s voting registration deadline should be extended in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.
The League of Women Voters of Florida on Tuesday filed its own lawsuit that seeks to extend Florida’s registration deadline until Oct. 18. Meanwhile, two other groups are trying to join a separate lawsuit filed by the Florida Democratic Party.
A federal judge this week already extended the deadline until 5 p.m. on Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker will hold a hearing to determine if the deadline should be extended further.
State law currently cuts off registration 29 days before the election. Last week, Gov. Rick Scott turned down requests to extend the deadline due to the storm.
Jackie Schutz, a spokeswoman for Scott, said Tuesday that the state will accept the court’s decision on the deadline.
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