Judge rules this morning that voter registration can continue

Historic City News was informed by Tallahassee attorney Ronald A Labasky, with the Brewton Plante law firm, that during this morning’s hearing on the matter, Judge Walker granted the request of the Florida Democratic Party for an injunction extending the voter registration deadline for the November General Election until October 18, 2016.

The judge listened to arguments by counsel for the Democratic Party, however, the Secretary of State took no position on the request.

“Business as usual, we are still accepting new voter registrations at all the regular locations including public libraries, tax collector offices, public assistance offices, and armed forces recruiting offices,” St Johns County Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes told Historic City News editor Michael Gold today.

In making his ruling, Judge Walker reiterated his concern that there is no legal authority which allows the Governor or Secretary of State to extend the voter registration deadline, as compared to moving the date of the election itself.

“All other statutory procedures remain,” Labasky said. “The Court also directed that early voting locations/ plan amendments can be submitted until October 16, 2016.”