Click to play videoFlorida: A real nightmare could come true on Election Day. In Florida, some voters waiting months to vote and perhaps hours in voting lines could be challenged based on technicalities that affect minorities more than others.
Early voter turnout has been heavy and many suspect polls could be jammed on November fourth.
But, a law designed to thwart voter fraud is fueling controversy --and possibly legal challenges.
The "no-match" law flags people whose name on their voter registration doesn't match the name on their driver's license or social security card.
Anyone flagged can still cast a ballot but must provide legal proof of identification within 48 hours.
So far, about nine-thousand people have been affected. Opponents say the law unfairly punishes minorities.
“Black voters and Latino voters make up each group approximately 12-14-percent of the registered voters in Florida. However, they make up a full 50-percent of the people caught in no-match limbo,” says Muslima Lewis.
“We want to welcome voters and we're going to do everything we can to make sure there is a match, rather than looking for a reason not to match,” says Buddy Johnson.
Florida is still hurting from the presidential election debacle eight years ago. Ed Pozzuoli, a GOP attorney says tougher registration standards are needed to ensure credibility in the system.
“So, whatever the result is people can be confident that, that is the vote that reflects the voters of Florida,” says Ed Pozzuoli.
Latin names with a tilde, or accent mark, hyphenated names and names with non-traditional spellings and these are the people who will have the most trouble. Election officials say in no way is this an effort to keep votes from being counted.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
 |
 |
 |
|
More on IBNLive Right Now
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
