CNN
—
Two federal judges have rejected requests to immediately reopen voter registration in Georgia and Florida as severe storm damage continues in the Southeast ahead of the November election.
Southern states affected by Hurricane Helen are being challenged by voter and civil rights groups to urge residents to register to vote, given the storm damage and disruption already caused by Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Florida’s west coast. are under intense pressure to give their time. Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in Atlanta said Thursday that the arguments advanced by the NAACP, the Georgia People’s Agenda Coalition and the New Georgia Project for a one-week extension of the deadline do not “clearly explain how specific individuals were harmed.” “Lacks detail and detail,” the court ruled.
Lawyers for Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, both Republicans, argued that extending the voter registration deadline would create a significant “administrative burden” on state election officials.
Ross agreed with the court that “the harm to the state’s interests outweighs the plaintiffs’ interests.”
“Plaintiffs have not pointed to any statute or authority that required defendants to extend the deadline,” said Ross, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. “We haven’t really heard from anyone who can’t register to vote.”
On Wednesday, a federal judge in Florida similarly denied a request from civil rights groups to reopen Florida’s voter registration windows, just as the state was recovering from Hurricane Helen and preparing for Hurricane Milton on Monday. The counter was closed.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, rejected the request a day after the League of Women Voters of Florida and the Florida NAACP filed the lawsuit.
The group said the Oct. 7 deadline is “caught between two life-threatening obstacles,” forcing some residents to choose between seeking safety from the hurricane and registering to vote. was making a point.
Without an extension, prospective voters “will be stripped of their fundamental rights due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helen, the security threats caused by Hurricane Milton, and the resulting suspension of all voting options.” lawyers for each group wrote in court papers. There have been two registration rounds in the past few weeks leading up to the voter registration deadline, including for government offices, roads, internet and postal services. ”
On Monday, as Florida prepared to elect Mr. Milton, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters that “there is nothing to prevent unregistered voters from registering before that day’s deadline.” ” he said.
“If you can register today, that’s it. There’s nothing to prevent you from registering today. The storm hasn’t arrived yet,” DeSantis said at a Monday press conference, responding to a question about whether the storm would give flexibility to registration. said.
“We’ll see what damage there is after the storm. And if we have to issue an executive order similar to what we did with (Hurricane) Ian and Helen, we’re willing to do that.” However, there are no plans to change the registration deadline. You can register today and there is no reason to make it public.”
This story has been updated with additional developments.
