An out-of-court settlement, coming the eve of a start of trial on a vote-by-mail lawsuit, had participants on both sides declaring victory Monday.
A group of voting rights organizations — including the New Florida Majority, Priorities USA, Dream Defenders and others — had filed suit to order changes to the deadline for mail-in ballots and other procedures, along with more days of in-person early voting because of COVID-19.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle had scheduled two weeks for a trial that was set to begin Monday in Tallahassee.
But speaking to reporters before a hearing to explain the settlement to Hinkle, the voting rights groups said they accepted the state’s pledge to work with county supervisors of elections to educate voters about vote-by-mail and to use the maximum number of early-voting days available.
Judith Browne-Dianis of the Advancement Project, a group focused on combating “structural racism” in voting, called the settlement a clear victory for all voters, especially Latino and Black people.
“Florida went from doing nothing to committing to educating and encouraging all 67 supervisors of elections to expand access to democracy in this historic 2020 presidential election,” Browne-Dianis said.
“This settlement imposes stricter requirements on voter education, vote by mail, early in-person voting and voter registration.”
As soon as the settlement was first announced Sunday, GOP state Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota, also the chair of the Republican Party of Florida, also declared victory. The Florida GOP had intervened in the case on the side of the state.