by Steve Bousquet, Tampa Bay Times
Three voting rights groups on Wednesday put the state of Florida on notice that it may file a lawsuit for alleged violations of the federal “motor voter” law.
In a release, Project Vote, Demos and the League of Women Voters of Florida said they notified the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) that it is violating federal law by not offering online customers a chance to register to vote as required by federal law, and that DHSMV is not meeting its voter registration obligations regarding changes of address that are done in person, by mail and online. The state agency is under the control of Gov. Rick Scott and the three elected Cabinet members.
According to the League’s release, federal law “requires an ‘opt out’ system, in which an individual who changes their address through DHSMV will automatically have their voter registration information updated unless they specifically decline the update. None of the DHSMV address change methods comply with this requirement.” Unless the state is willing to meet with the League to work out a corrective plan, “the groups plan to initiate litigation,” the League said.
The League’s release did not explain why it waited until 20 days before a presidential election to take action. DHSMV did not respond to the Times/Herald’s request for comment Wednesday. “We are reviewing,” an agency spokesman said.