FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2023
A federal judge has declined to block enforcement of two provisions of a Florida anti-voter law, Senate Bill 7050, challenged by the League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVFL). Campaign Legal Center (CLC) is representing LWVFL in the lawsuit.
One of the provisions allowed to remain in effect fines nonpartisan civic engagement groups $50,000 every time a volunteer with certain felony convictions helps register a voter. The other requires volunteers to provide a detailed receipt to those who fill out voter registration forms, and each receipt must contain the volunteer’s full name. Both provisions have the potential to severely impact the availability of individuals who register voters in often-overlooked communities.
In response to the order, CLC and LWVFL issued the following statement:
“We are disappointed by this decision, which will severely curtail the ability of nonpartisan civic engagement groups like LWVFL to engage with and educate voters. In the past, the League has relied on volunteers with felony convictions to assist in engaging other persons with felony convictions to learn about their eligibility to register to vote. This ruling leaves in place the barriers that prevent persons with felony convictions from assisting with voter registration.
At the end of the day, Florida should celebrate — not punish — the civic-minded people who help voters make their voices heard. Campaign Legal Center and the League of Women Voters of Florida look forward to continuing to fight in court against this disturbing attack on voters.”
On July 3, the same judge temporarily blocked two different provisions of Senate Bill 7050 challenged by LWVFL, as well as two other sets of plaintiffs, that restrict and penalize the work of nonpartisan civic engagement groups.
More information about the lawsuit can be found here.
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Media Contact: Blake Summerlin, blake@lwvfl.org. (772) 217-0772
