Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement today regarding Gov. Scott’s signing of a bill that will have a drastic, devastating impact on access to voting in the state of Florida. Rep. Castor and several other members of the Florida delegation wrote a letter to the Justice Department this week, expressing their concern and urging the department to review the impact of the legislation on the Voting Rights Act. Five Florida counties – including Hillsborough – are protected under Section 5 preclearance requirements.

“This is a step in the wrong direction. We should be encouraging everyone to vote and to participate in our great democracy, not trying to hamstring voters. Cutting days of early voting will make it more difficult for our working adults and seniors to get to the polls. Voters will be frustrated by long lines. Many students, such as those who attend HCC and USF, move between counties to attend college and will have to cast provisional ballots. At a time in our American history when we should be finding ways to make voting more accessible, this new law will make voting more difficult and burdensome.

“I will continue working on behalf of Florida voters by following up with the Department of Justice, urging them to review this new law as soon as possible.”