Florida Democrats filed a lawsuit Sunday in U.S. District court against Governor Rick Scott, demanding that he extend the voter registration deadline to October 18. The lawsuit cites Scott's order last week that residents on the state's east coast evacuate ahead of Hurricane Matthew.
"We're only asking for a few more days," said Yudy Barbera, chair of Collier County Democrats. "That is the correct thing to do."
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley extended her state's voter registration deadline.
The Florida Democrats' lawsuit states that Scott's order to evacuate "(forced) voters to choose between their safety and the safety of their families...and their fundamental right to vote."
Scott Lepore of the Collier County Republican Club said that Floridians have had plenty of time to register, and that the lawsuit was a political move.
"It's unfortunate that the Democrats want to use a natural disaster that occurs in the state of Florida for political gain," Lepore said.
The League of Women Voters of Florida, a nonpartisan political group, wrote to Governor Scott to urge him to extend the registration deadline to Friday October 14.
