Gov. Scott Responds After Voter Registration Deadline Extension
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Florida Governor Rick Scott is responding after a judge's order extended the deadline to register to vote in the state following Hurricane Matthew.
The governor had previously denied the Democrat's request to extend the deadline. The Florida Democratic Party sued Governor Scott and Secretary of the State of Florida Ken Detzner for not extending the deadline after about 1.5 million Floridians were ordered to evacuate ahead of the hurricane. Clinton's campaign supported the lawsuit.
On Monday, District Judge Mark Walker ordered an extension to the voter registration deadline in the state from Tuesday to Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Scott's Communication's Director Jackie Schutz issued a statement on the order saying,
"According to the judge, Florida law does not allow for the State to extend the voter registration deadline – see page nine, paragraph two. Therefore, according to the judge, extending the voter registration deadline is not a decision specifically granted to the Governor of Florida, including in a declared state of emergency like Hurricane Matthew. Additionally, the judge stated that the Governor is not a proper party to the lawsuit. The State will follow the court's decision and discuss with the Legislature possible amendments to current law during the upcoming legislative session."
A hearing is set for Wednesday morning to discuss a possibly longer extension to register to vote. Click here to view the judge's order.
