Florida

Federal Judge Extends Florida Voter Registration Deadline to Next Tuesday

U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled the deadline should be extended due to the disruption and damage caused by Hurricane Matthew

A federal judge has extended the voter registration deadline in the battleground state of Florida.

U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled Wednesday that the deadline should be extended until next Tuesday due to the disruption and damage caused by Hurricane Matthew.

Walker already extended the deadline one day after the Florida Democratic Party filed a lawsuit last weekend.

“We are thrilled the court agreed to extend the voter registration deadline a full week following Hurricane Matthew," Florida Democratic Party chair Allison Tant said in a statement. "While we wish it had not taken a lawsuit to get the Scott administration to do the right thing, today’s ruling is a major victory for all Floridians and for the democratic process in the Sunshine State.”

Democrats had asked Gov. Rick Scott to extend the Oct. 11 deadline due to the powerful storm that scraped Florida's east coast and is being blamed for several deaths.

Scott turned down the request and said that people have had enough time to register.

But Jackie Schutz, a spokeswoman for Scott, said Tuesday that the state will accept the court's decision on the deadline.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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