U.S. Justice Department Wants to Put Florida Vote Laws on Trial

The U.S. Justice Department wants to take Florida to trial over two voting laws.

In court papers filed late Friday night, Florida officials opposed the move and noted that the federal court hearing the case in the District of Columbia wants sufficient time to issue a decision before the August primaries, the Associated Press reported.

The state is seeking court approval for changes that shorten the time for voter registration groups turning in registration forms to 48 hours and that narrow the time frame for early voting to 10 days before Election Day, AP said.

Florida says the court in Washington can decide the case on the basis of information already submitted in the lawsuit.

According to the AP story, Florida sued the federal government last August, seeking a ruling that the changes in state law comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Five Florida counties -- Collier, Hardee, Hendry, Hillsborough and Monroe -- are covered by the act.

The state's latest filing said Florida "strongly opposes the United States' attempt to extend this action well into the summer. The court was quite clear that it wanted to have this case fully submitted for its review by early May, because this would allow the court sufficient time to issue a decision before the August primaries."