Federal Judges Deny Voter Registration Extensions in Georgia

Federal judges in Florida and Georgia have rejected requests from civil rights groups to extend voter registration deadlines following significant damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In Georgia, U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross dismissed a lawsuit from the NAACP and other organizations, stating the plaintiffs lacked clarity on harm caused by the hurricane, and that the state's interests outweighed theirs. Similarly, in Florida, a judge ruled against the League of Women Voters and the Florida NAACP, who argued that the hurricanes disrupted voter registration efforts. Both states' Republican governors, Brian Kemp and Ron DeSantis, maintained that extending deadlines would create administrative burdens. Advocates for voting rights expressed concern that the severe weather compounded by inflexible registration rules could disenfranchise voters. As the November election approaches, civil rights leaders emphasize the need for accessible voting processes amidst natural disasters.