Judge Extends Florida Voter Registration Deadline To Oct. 18 Due To Hurricane Matthew

A federal judge has ordered that the State of Florida extend the voter registration deadline to October 18, 2016 due to the impacts and evacuations caused by Hurricane Matthew.

Judge Mark E. Walker, of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, granted the one week extension of the voter registration deadline after the Florida Democratic Party sued Florida Governor Rick Scott and Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner.

The Florida Democratic Party argued in its lawsuit that Hurricane Matthew posed a "life-threatening obstacle to registering to vote" by the October 11, 2016, deadline.

“We are thrilled the court agreed to extend the voter registration deadline a full week following Hurricane Matthew," FDP Chair Allison Tant said in a statement. "While we wish it had not taken a lawsuit to get the Scott administration to do the right thing, today’s ruling is a major victory for all Floridians and for the democratic process in the Sunshine State.”