Gov. Crist Urged To Halt Voter Suppression Tactics

Progress Florida today launched a statewide petition campaign urging Gov. Crist to prevent efforts designed to confuse and disenfranchise voters this election. The move comes after criticism of an RNC mailer designed to trick Democratic voters.

The mailing from the Republican Party and McCain campaign was sent to registered Democrats across the state and tells them they are actually registered Republicans and provides a fake registration number.

Gov. Crist is the leader of the Republican Party in Florida and he can take the necessary action to stop dirty tricks and make this a fair, accurate and inclusive election.

Progress Florida is also calling on Gov. Crist to suspend the "No Match, No Vote" law until after this election cycle. According to a September 20th Miami Herald editorial, this never before used law "threatens to keep new voters interested in participating in this historic presidential election from registering before the registration deadline on Oct. 6 simply because of bad record-keeping by the state...To Florida’s disgrace, this law unfairly targets minorities. It should be repealed."

With arguably the most important election in our state and nation's history fast approaching, it's critical that every vote count. The health of our democracy depends on it and our Constitution demands it. The 2000 election debacle made Florida infamous for disenfranchising voters - we can't let history repeat itself in 2008.

The Progress Florida petition may be found at http://www.ProgressFlorida.org/ProtectOurVote.