|  Santa Rosa Democrats will continue to register voters
Milton, Fla. Despite new laws that are already hindering Florida voter registration efforts, Santa Rosa Democrats will stand their ground and continue to sign new voters in the coming election season. At the July 12 Executive Committee meeting, Santa Rosa Democrats voted to re-enroll under new State guidelines as a third party voter registration organization. The amended Section 97.0575, Florida Statutes, took effect May 19. It sets stringent third-party voter organization registration procedures and establishes expensive fines for noncompliance. “We were saddened and disappointed to hear neutral, respected organizations like Florida’s League of Women Voters could no longer risk the potential penalties associated with new registration laws,” Democrat Chair Deborah Nelson remarked. “In the face of this latest Republican-led attack on Florida voter participation, Santa Rosa Democrats understand it’s more important than ever we stand up to any kind of elections-related bullying.” Santa Rosa Democrats also plan a vigorous Get out the Vote effort in 2012. “We’re so disgusted by the Republican legislature’s and Governor’s new law to reduce early voting from two weeks to eight days,” Nelson noted. “This slap in the face to all voters who work for a living just reaffirms how hostile Florida Republicans have become towards citizens of every political affiliation, whose interests they’re supposed to be looking out for. Santa Rosa Democrats will also continue to closely monitor Florida’s statewide redistricting process. As of June 2011, there were 4,592,307 registered Democrats and 4,029,443 registered Republicans in the State of Florida, according to the Division of Elections. “I would not’t be surprised to see Santa Rosa pick up some new Democrats in the coming election season, as voters from other parties realize what’s been going on behind their backs,” Nelson said. |