ACLU sues Rick Scott to stop 'voter suppression'

[Bluebear]

TALLAHASSEE -- A pair of liberal-leaning groups sued Gov. Rick Scott on Friday to block an elections law that they say amounts to “voter suppression.”

The ACLU of Florida and Project Vote filed the suit in the hopes that it would stop Miami-Dade County from shortening the number of early-voting days before its June 28 mayoral elections.

The new law shortens the early voting days – but not necessarily the number of total hours – from 14 to eight days. It also requires an out-of-county voter who tries to change his voting precinct on Election Day to cast a provisional ballot, which can be more easily challenged. Also, the law cracks down on third-party registration groups.

One of the plaintiffs, Tampa Sen. Arthenia Joyner, said the bill passed by the Republican-led Legislature is an example of a “rank partisan agenda” that disproportionately hurts minorities.

“It is un-American to make it a burden to vote. Too many people fought and died for this right,” Joyner, a Democrat said. “This is an abomination. And it’s unconscionable.”

But the sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Dennis Baxley, a Republican from Ocala, said the state needs to ensure there’s no fraud.

The lawsuit is the fifth one to name Scott as a defendant in his role as governor. The other suits relate to drug-testing state workers, high-speed rail, constitutional amendments over redistricting and an executive order that froze state rules.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/03/2249778/aclu-sues-rick-scott-to-stop-voter.html#ixzz1ONQVHME5

[John_Adams]

1. I believe the Constitution leaves it up to the states to determine election procedures.

As long as the process is the same for everyone, there isn't much the ACLU can do about it.

[Bluebear]

3. LOL

[HockeyMom]

2. There's another suit coming which is going to filed against

the law requiring women to take and view a sonogram (and pay for it themselves) and listen to a lecture by their doctor on the development of their embryo or fetus before an abortion can be performed.