ICYMI: Judge Extends Florida Voter Registration Deadline

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Floridians who haven’t managed to register to vote in time to be eligible to voice opinions in the Nov. 8 general election just got a reprieve. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker has extended the deadline to register in the Sunshine State to Tuesday, Oct. 18.

The extension was prompted by a lawsuit filed by the Florida Democratic Party. Democrats wanted Gov. Rick Scott to extend the deadline in light of the chaos Hurricane Matthew caused leading up to the original deadline, which was Oct. 11.

On Monday, Walker extended the deadline to Wednesday, Oct. 12, to buy time for a full hearing on the matter. That hearing was held in Tallahassee Wednesday morning with the Democrat Party prevailing.

“No right is more precious than having a voice in our elections,” Walker was quoted by the Tampa Bay Times as saying during Wednesday’s hearings.

Scott had refused to extend the deadline, saying residents had plenty of time pre-Matthew to register. The Times said the state’s attorneys did not argue a position during Wednesday’s hearing.

In order to cast a ballot in the presidential election or a number of races at the state and local levels, eligible voters must have their registration in by the new deadline. In order to register in Florida, voters must meet the following qualifications:

• Be a citizen of the United States of America
• Be a Florida resident
• Be 18 years old
• Not have been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state
• Not have been convicted of a felony without having civil rights restored
• Be able to produce a current and valid Florida identification card or driver’s license cards. Those without these items must be able to provide the last four digits of their Social Security number.

People may register to vote at any county Supervisor of Elections office, through driver’s license and tax collector’s offices or with any voter registration agency.

To check on voter registration status, visit the Florida Division of Elections online.

For information on voting or registering in a particular county, check with an individual county’s supervisor of election’s office as follows:

• Hillsborough County
• Manatee County
• Pasco County
• Pinellas County
• Sarasota County
• Polk County

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