Florida Judge Extends Voter Registration to October 18

Washington, DC and Tallahassee, FL – A Florida judge ruled in favor of voters today, extending voter registration an additional week.

"We'll now be able to make up for lost time and help register people whose lives were disrupted by the storm," said Pamela Goodman, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida. "Our goal is to help every Floridian register, vote, and be heard, and we're grateful that the storm did not silence their voices.”

Tuesday the League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVFL) filed a complaint against the Governor and Secretary of State for refusing to extend voter registration in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Wednesday’s ruling cited the League’s argument that the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) provides that voter registration cutoff dates may be no more than 30 days before an election.  

“We offer special congratulations to the hundreds of new citizens that will now be able to vote because of previously cancelled naturalization ceremonies,” Goodman added, referencing the impact Hurricane Matthew had on planned citizenship services.

"This decision means that many more voters will be able to participate in our democracy," said Myrna Pérez, deputy director of the Brennan Center's Democracy Program who argued the case on behalf of the League. "The right to vote is fundamental, and this is an important outcome."

“This was the only fair result,” said Chris Carson, president of the League of Women Voters of the United States. “The League will be working across the state to register voters right up to the extended deadline.”

The League is represented by the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and pro bono counsel Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP.

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