A federal judge on Thursday ruled that several parts of Florida’s new voting laws are unconstitutional and racially motivated.
issued on Thursday, Judge Mark Walker of the Federal District Court in Tallahassee barred Florida from enforcing several new voting restrictions, arguing the “right to vote,” and the Voting Rights Act of 1965—which prohibits racial discrimination in voting—were “under siege.”
The ruling struck down restrictions on the use of drop boxes, additional requirements for absentee voting and rules prohibiting “line warming” activities such as passing out food and water to those waiting in line to cast a vote. The provisions were part of Senate Bill 90, signed into law in May, 2021, by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and challenged immediately after in a lawsuit filed by the League of Women Voters of Florida, the NAACP and other organizations.
The plaintiffs, Walker said, were “for the most part” right in their allegations that the law makes voting “harder for all eligible Floridians,” unduly burdensome for disabled voters and that it intentionally targets minority voters to “improve the electoral prospects of the party in power.” Walker, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, also barred the state from enacting voting laws governing drop boxes, or “line warming” activities” for the next 10 years without receiving clearance from the federal government.“For the past 20 years, the majority in the Florida Legislature has attacked the voting rights of its Black constituents,”The decision to be appealed. Walker’s ruling is likely to be overturned by the 11th U.S.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Judge strikes down parts of Florida election law; cites raceA federal judge has struck down portions of a Florida election law passed last year, citing what he said were subtle tactics by the Republican-led government to suppress Black voters
Read more »
Judge OKs $83M for property loss in Florida condo collapsePeople who owned units in a Florida oceanfront condominium building that collapsed last year will divide $83 million for property losses, with the compensation for families over the 98 deaths still to be determined.
Read more »
Judge OKs $83M for property loss in Florida condo collapsePeople who owned units in a Florida oceanfront condominium building that collapsed last year will divide $83 million for property losses, with the compensation for families over the 98 deaths still to be determined
Read more »
Florida judge approves $83 million settlement for victims' families and owners in Champlain Towers South collapseA Florida judge approved an $83 million settlement Wednesday for former condo owners and heirs of those killed last year when the Champlain Towers South residential building in Surfside partially collapsed.
Read more »
Federal Judge orders shut down of pet food company in Salem CountyA federal judge has ordered the shut down of a New Jersey pet food company.
Read more »