On October 10, 2024, two federal judges ruled against extending voter registration deadlines in Florida and Georgia, despite the severe impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These storms resulted in significant destruction, claiming over 200 lives and leaving millions without power, which raised concerns among civil rights groups regarding the ability of residents to register in time for the upcoming elections on November 5.
In Georgia, U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross rejected a request from the NAACP’s state chapter and other civil rights organizations to extend the voter registration deadline to October 14. Ross criticized the plaintiffs for not providing clear evidence of individuals unable to register due to the hurricanes, stating that their arguments “lacked clarity and detail.” She noted, “We did not hear from anyone specifically who could not register to vote”【64†source】 .
Similarly, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in Tallahassee denied a similar plea from the League of Women Voters of Florida and the state NAACP, which sought to extend the voter registration deadline from October 7 by an additional 10 days .
These decisions come at a critical time, as both Florida and Georgia are pivotal battlegrounds in the upcoming presidential election, where Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris is set to face off against former President Donald Trump . The rulings reflect ongoing debates about voter access and the impacts of natural disasters on electoral participation.
For further details, you can read more from CNN and .
