'Absurd' and 'undemocratic': FL GOP pushes law that would 'curb registration efforts'

Florida House Republican lawmakers approved legislation Wednesday that would put restrictions on voter-registration groups, Miami Herald reports.

"If you love America and love democracy, this ain't the bill for you," Democratic State Rep. Michele Rayner-Goolsby said, who, like other opponents of House Bill (PCB SAC 23-01) believe it "would curb registration efforts."

Miami Herald reports the proposal includes:

• Preventing people who are not U.S. citizens from collecting or handling voter-registration applications for the third-party registration groups. Also barred would be people who have been convicted of certain felonies, such as violations of the state elections code.
• Shortening a time frame from 14 days to 10 days for voter-registration groups to deliver registration applications to supervisors of elections. Also, the bill would increase fines for missing the deadline or not turning in applications.
• Requiring that voter-registration groups provide receipts when they collect applications from people. Requiring voter-registration groups to re-register with the state after every general election.

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According to Politico, although the sunshine state "has seen its last two elections run without any major problems, this marks the third year in a row that" GOP state House members have pushed for such amendments.

Miami Herald reports:

Gov. Ron DeSantis and other GOP leaders have repeatedly pushed for elections-law changes that they say are needed to prevent potential fraud and other irregularities. The changes have sparked political and legal battles, with Democrats arguing that the GOP has tried to make it harder for groups such as Black voters — a key part of the Democratic base — to cast ballots.

Republican Secretary of State Cord Byrd said ahead of the bill's approval, “This is a fantastic piece of legislation that will keep Florida the gold standard in elections administration."

Those against the bill say it "would lead to confusion and have a chilling effect on the groups because of the additional requirements and potential fines," according to Miami Herald, arguing "'third party' voter-registration groups play an important role in registering people such as Black voters, immigrants and felons who have completed their sentences."

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Democratic State Rep. Anna Eskamani told Politico earlier this month, "Not only is it absurd, but it's undemocratic and clearly designed to avoid public scrutiny. We should be introducing election reforms that make it simpler for people to vote and get registered to vote; not policies that make it harder."

Additionally, Democratic State Rep. Robin Bartleman, told Miami Herald she "thinks the goal of this bill is to really mute or stop third-party voter registration organizations, noting, "These are the very groups that register our most marginalized groups of people."

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Miami Herald's full report is available at this link (subscription required). Politico's report is here.