House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston says Rick Scott should “stop laying roadblocks to voting.” 

Rep. Janet Cruz says that the Scott administration is misinterpreting the law, and “I would hope that state officials quickly revisit their decision.”

Rep. Clovis Watson says that doing anything less than reversing this anti-voter decision “leaves the impression that the governor may be attempting to thwart the student vote.”

GOVERNOR SCOTT MOVE TO BLOCK STUDENT VOTE AT UF DRAWS CRITICISM FROM HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS MEMBERS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott’s decision to block students at the University of Florida from voting at the Reitz Student Union is drawing sharp criticism today from some members of the Florida House Democratic Caucus. At issue is a recent interpretation by the governor’s administration that the Reitz Union on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville isn’t an acceptable location for early voting.

The following are statements provided by Florida House Democratic Caucus members: 

Statement from House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston (D-Fort Lauderdale:

“Governor Scott and state elections officials seem once again to be trying to suppress the vote of university students and other Floridians. I urge him to stop laying roadblocks to voting. The governor should do more to encourage, not discourage, voting among young people who are interested and engaged citizens.”

Statement from Representative Janet Cruz (D-Tampa), Democratic Ranking Member, House Ethics & Elections Subcommittee:

“To promote student participation in elections and to be consistent with the Legislature’s intent to encourage early voting at community centers, I would hope that state officials quickly revisit their decision regarding early voting at the Reitz Union.”

Statement from Representative Clovis Watson, Jr. (D-Alachua):

“The Reitz Union is a government owned and perfectly acceptable early voting location for the convenience of students, faculty and others. I urge the governor and his top elections officials to promptly reconsider their decision. Doing anything less leaves the impression that the governor may be attempting to thwart the student vote at one of our state’s most important educational institutions.”

To learn more about the issue, read the news article linked here: State blocks use of UF student union as early voting center

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