While the hotly contested race between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney unfolds ahead of their November showdown, all across the country laws are being implemented to prevent voter fraud – although instances of such deceit have been largely negligent. With some groups claiming that discrimination is at the core of the blockades to basic voting rights, a court settlement in Florida may be the start of tides turning into a positive spin for voters who nearly had their voices silenced.
According to reports, 87 percent of persons on the list were minorities.
The Advancement Project, a civil rights organization, along with other groups sued the state for discrimination against Black and Hispanic voters.
On Wednesday, the state of Florida agreed to a series of measures in a settlement that will keep specific citizens’ voices counted.
Although the groups have to drop their discrimination claims, the settlement ensures that the non-citizen names will have their entries removed from the purge list. Additionally, all registered voters who received letters this spring warning them that they weren’t registered will get notices proving otherwise. Finally, all those who were listed on a potential list of non-citizens should not be seen as voter ineligibility.
This is a solid victory for civil and voting rights for the state of Florida.