“Many elements in the ‘Omnibus Elections bill’ severely curtail Florida voters’ basic rights. Specifically, it would make voting more difficult for people who have recently moved and shorten early voting time from 14 days down to six. It also would provide a 100 foot buffer between voters standing in line and advocates attempting to provide them with information about the candidates. Additionally, it imposes unreasonable new restrictions on third-party groups who register voters. Moreover, it would allow potential candidates to spend up to $10,000 to test the waters for a possible candidacy (they wouldn't have to reveal the source of the money unless they actually ran for office); impose $50-a-day fines on election supervisors who are late in filing routine reports with the state, as well as allow the state to impose binding directives on county elections supervisors, who have traditionally had wide discretion over the elections in their jurisdictions.
I do not plan to stand idly by while the Republican Party dramatically changes our state’s election laws. In fact, if Governor Scott signs this bill, I will request that the Department of Justice review these changes for preclearance. It is outright embarrassing that after the 2000 elections the state of Florida is on the verge of taking a huge step backwards. Florida is also one of just four states in the entire nation that disallows felons from automatically having their voting rights restored after they complete their sentence and parole. Given that voting is the bedrock of our democracy, it is necessary to make it easier for people to vote, not harder!”