BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Friday, at 1 p.m., public testimony will take place at the George Edgecomb Courthouse for the first hearing to examine the impact of the proposed changes in state voting laws.

U. S. Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, will lead the hearings of the U. S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights.

In November, U. S. Senator Bill Nelson has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether new voting laws passed by Florida and more than a dozen other states this year are the result of a coordinated effort to suppress voter turnout among millions of seniors, young people and minorities in this year’s presidential election.

Senator Nelson asked the federal investigating body “to determine whether or not there was broad-based motivation to suppress the vote – and, if so, whether any laws were violated.”

In May, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 1355 into law. The bill places stringent requirements on individuals and third-party groups who attempt to register new voters.

Additionally, volunteers who register new voters must sign up with the state and submit the voter registration forms within 48 hours of obtaining the signatures. Those who do not comply face large fines or possibly prison for violating the rule. Volunteers are also required to sign an oath warning them of the consequences for violating the rules.

The bill also shortens the period of early voting days from 14 days to 8 days. The new law also prohibits voters who have moved from the county to change their information at the polls and vote. They must cast a provisional vote.

The League of Women Voters and Rock the Vote have challenged the new law in court. State Rep. Dennis Baxley, (R-Ocala), sponsored the bill.

Rep. Betty Reed said, “Past generations fought hard in order to ensure our right to vote. It’s important that our community show up in numbers in order to continue the fight.”