Judges decide the fate of voter suppression laws as civic groups embark on voter registration day

As we celebrate Voter Registration Day, an effort to involve civic groups, media, and voters across the country, nationwide voter suppression efforts threaten the ability of millions of Americans to participate in the upcoming election. Two cases involving voter suppression efforts were decided this Monday: a federal judge in Florida gave a green light to Governor Rick Scott’s plan to cut back early voting, while a New Hampshire judge struck down a law that targeted college students seeking to vote in the state.

Governor Scott’s move to limit early voting is widely seen as a partisan effort, since early voters have heavily skewed toward the Democratic Party, especially for President Obama in 2008. Cutting back early voting is especially burdensome for students and minorities, who have less access to polling booths, and turn out in larger numbers during the early vote period. In 2008, Governor Charlie Crist, at the time a Republican, was attacked by his own party for extending early voting hours to accommodate the historic turnout in the election. The Florida law in question specifically ends early voting on the Sunday before Election Day, which saw particularly heavy minority voter turnout in 2008. Despite this history and the federal court decisions blocking other provisions of Florida’s voter suppression laws, Judge Timothy Corrigan of the Middle District of Florida found insufficient evidence that the reduction of early voting from 14 to 8 days would “impermissibly burden the right of African Americans to vote.” Judge Corrigan was appointed to the federal bench by President George W. Bush.

The New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union and League of Women Voters found more success in New Hampshire, where Strafford County Superior Court Judge John Lewis blocked a law that would prevent out-of-state students from voting in New Hampshire, where they attend college and live for most of the year. This law would require all voters agree to register a car and obtain a state drivers’ license, which is limited only to those who intend to reside in New Hampshire indefinitely or permanently. The law was enacted by the Republican-dominated state legislature over the veto of Governor John Lynch (D-NH). Speaker of the House Bill O’Brien explained that students were “basically doing what I did when I was a kid and foolish, voting as a liberal.”

AFJ-backed law will make voting easier in California

While some other states are trying to make it harder for people to vote, California is making it easier.

California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into a law a bill supported by AFJ and other groups to allow people to register to vote on Election Day.  The bill won’t take effect until 2014 at the earliest, in order to allow time to create a computer database of voters. 

In his statement signing the bill Gov. Brown called voting “the sacred right of every citizen.” He added: “While other states try to restrict voters with new laws that burden the process, California allows voters to register online – and even on Election Day.”

There’s much more about voting at our Bolder Advocacy Blog, including a guide to National Voter Registration Day and a report on an AFL-CIO panel discussion on voter suppression.

Tomorrow is National Voter Registration Day

Alliance for Justice is partnering with dozens of civic engagement organizations to promote NationalVoter Registration Day. We are supporting this effort because we think it’s a great way to focus the nation’s attention on this most essential American right: the right to vote. While we know organizations have been and will be registering voters on other days, this event is designed to involve people and groups that might not otherwise participate in voter registration. Find out more about how to host or join an event on our Blolder Advocacy Blog.