Gov. Scott Signs Elections Bill

Gov. Rick Scott has signed HB 1355, the controversial elections bill that Democrats say will disenfranchise left-leaning voters.

The bill prevents voters from changing their address the day of an election, reduces the number of early voting days, imposes restrictions and fines on third-party voter registration groups and creates a commission that will decide the date of the 2012 presidential preference primary in Florida.

Democrats contend that the bill targets college students and low-income voters likely to vote Democratic.

The bill is already the subject of a lawsuit by a Republican candidate in the Miami-Dade County special mayoral election. An emergency hearing was held today but no decision was rendered. Former state Rep. Marcelo Llorente is suing to block the county from cancelling previously scheduled early voting hours on Sunday.

Gov. Scott signed the bill with little fanfare, with a simple press release noticing his signature. Republicans in the Legislature who passed the bill defended it by saying it prevents the potential for voter fraud. Scott echoed those concerns earlier in the week.

The things I care about with regard to elections -- I want to make sure people have the opportunity to get out and vote. I want people to get out and vote and I dont want fraud. Thatll be the filter I use in going through the bill, Scott said Tuesday.