Voter registration deadline extended by court order

A federal court has extended Florida's voter registration deadline to 5:00 PM tomorrow, Wednesday October 12th. The original deadline was today at 5:00 PM.

The Florida Democratic Party filed a federal lawsuit asking for the deadline to be extended for seven days. They contented there was a "strong likelihood" many voters would be "severely burdened" by the effects of Hurricane Matthew.

Governor Rick Scott opposed the extension, saying last week that "people have had time to register."

Marc Elias, who serves at the general counsel for Hillary Clinton's campaign, argued in papers filed with the court that Scott "unambiguously ordered" Florida citizens to evacuate, and now some voters have been prevented from being able to register which might decrease "the overall likelihood" that the party will be successful in helping to elect Democrats.

"It has been suggested that the issue of extending the voter registration deadline is about politics. Poppycock," Judge Mark Walker wrote. "This case is about the right of aspiring eligible voters to register and to have their votes counted. Nothing could be more fundamental to our democracy."

"Hurricane Matthew not only forced many of those voters to evacuate the state, but also foreclosed the only methods of registering to vote: in person or by mail," Walker wrote. "Because those aspiring eligible voters could not register, they could not vote in the upcoming election. As a result, Florida's statutory framework completely disenfranchises thousands of voters, and amounts to a severe burden on the right to vote."

Judge Walker is holding a hearing today on whether to further extend the deadline beyond tomorrow.

Use this link to read Judge Walker's order.

Use this link to check your Voter Registration Status.

Make sure your address is correct. If you moved since the last election you should update your address with the Supervisor of Elections.

Registration forms are available at Apopka City Hall and any Orange County Library location. You can use this link to download the Voter Registration Form.

The Supervisor of Elections office encourages voters to drop the signed forms in person. If you choose to mail the form it must be Postmarked no later than Tuesday, October 11, 2016. The mailing address is:

Supervisor of Elections

PO Box 562001

Orlando FL 32856-2001