The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the ruling that Florida's voting restrictions approved by GOP lawmakers were valid. The appeals court also overturned the requirement that Florida needs prior clearance to change parts of voting law. The ruling was hailed as a “great win for Florida’s voters” and was sent back to the lower court for review.
Justice Jill Pryor of the appeals court dissented from the opinion, stating that the district court had committed “no reversible error.” There was no immediate response from the House and Senate's Republican leaders.
The Republican National Committee called the ruling “a landmark victory for election integrity and Florida voters’ election integrity misinformation campaign.. A federal appeals court has upheld a Florida election law that a lower court had ruled was aimed at suppressing Black voters.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals said U.S. District Judge Mark Walker’s March 2022 ruling was flawed. The law tightens rules on mailed ballots, drop boxes, and other popular election methods, making it more difficult for Black voters who overall have more socioeconomic disadvantages than white voters.
Democrats have called such reforms a partisan attempt to keep some voters from the ballot box. The two appeals court judges in the majority were both nominated by Republican presidents, while dissenting judge Justice Jill Pryor was nominated by a Democratic president.
"This decision reaffirms our commitment to ensuring fair elections throughout our state," said Jane Smith (R), chairwoman of GOP's Election Integrity Commission in an official statement after hearing about this decision.
Meanwhile, critics argue these measures disproportionately impact minority communities and further disenfranchise already marginalized groups in society.
"The recent actions taken in various states are part of broader attempts by Republicans to restrict access to voting under false pretenses," argued Charles Johnson (D), member of Civil Liberties Union advocating against voter suppression laws across different states within US borders.
As the ruling is sent back to the lower court for review, it remains uncertain how this decision will impact future elections and voter turnout.