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Democrats Want Judge To Put In New Voting Rules For Florida

Cecilia Paz, foreground, fills out a new voter registration form because of a change of address, as she waits in line to attend a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former vice president Al Gore, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Cecilia Paz, foreground, fills out a new voter registration form because of a change of address, as she waits in line to attend a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former vice president Al Gore, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Updated: October 20, 12:59 p.m.

A federal judge has rejected the Florida Democratic Party's request to let people cast a ballot during early voting even if their registration application hasn't been verified.

U.S. District Judge Mark Walker said Thursday morning there is no evidence that state officials are dragging their feet in verifying applications.

Walker extended Florida's voter registration deadline until Oct. 18 due to the disruption caused by Hurricane Matthew. Early voting is scheduled to begin in some counties on Oct. 24 and statewide by Oct. 29.

Democrats say some election officials have told them that they won't be able to verify all the new registrations in time.

State officials say they are working to verify all applications by Oct. 29.


Florida Democrats want a federal judge to impose new rules on the eve of the election that state officials are warning could create chaos.

The Florida Democratic Party is asking U.S. District Judge Mark Walker to order state election officials to allow people to cast a ballot during early voting even if their registration application has not yet been verified.

Walker extended Florida's voting registration deadline until Oct. 18 due to the disruption caused by Hurricane Matthew. Early voting is scheduled to begin in some counties next Monday. Democrats say that some election officials have told them that they won't be able to verify all the new registrations in time.

State officials say they are working to verify all applications by Oct. 29 which is when early voting begins statewide.

The Associated Press is a wire service to which WUFT News subscribes.