A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Monday, blocking a Republican-backed law in Florida that imposes new restrictions on voter registration groups. The judge, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, deemed provisions in the law unconstitutional, including one that prohibits noncitizens from collecting voter registration applications and another that mandates storage of applicant information. Judge Walker emphasized the importance of governing within the bounds of the United States Constitution and highlighted the role of the federal judiciary in protecting individual rights. Notably, Governor Ron DeSantis’s favored term “The Free State of Florida” was used to describe the state’s limitations when it comes to exceeding constitutional boundaries. The law, signed by DeSantis in May, imposes hefty fines on voter registration groups that have noncitizens or individuals with certain felonies collecting applications. Several organizations, such as the NAACP and the Hispanic Federation, challenged the law, arguing that it hindered their efforts to register Black and Latino voters. The ruling was celebrated by voting rights groups and Florida Democrats, who recognized the decision as a victory for underrepresented communities. In response to the ruling, the president and CEO of the Hispanic Federation, Frankie Miranda, expressed his gratitude for the recognition of nonpartisan organizations in helping amplify marginalized voices. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried commended the court for actively safeguarding the rights of Floridians and emphasizing the importance of an inclusive democratic process. The preliminary injunction was argued by the ACLU Voting Rights Project on behalf of the challengers, with the project’s deputy director, Adriel I. Cepeda Derieux, stating that the law was an explicit attack on civic participation. This legislation is part of a broader assault on voter rights by Governor DeSantis and Florida Republicans, with Black and Latino communities disproportionately affected. However, their efforts are facing challenges, as showcased by the arrest of individuals who allegedly voted illegally in 2022, which appears to be a result of confusion about the laws. HuffPost has reached out to Governor DeSantis’s office for comment on the ruling.
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