Not making any promises to do so, House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) said Wednesday there is at least a possibility that lawmakers may revisit a controversial set of elections law changes passed earlier this year.
The measure, which was touted as a bill that was meant to crack down on fraud, has been heavily criticized because of its potential to prevent legitimate voters from casting votes and disenfranchising a swath of Floridians — students, African Americans, elderly and low-income voters — who tend to vote for the Democratic Party.
The bill shortens early voting, makes it harder for people who have moved to cast their vote and makes it harder for third parties to register voters. In a couple cases, that part of the law has gotten attention recently because some school teachers who tried to help high school students register to vote are facing criminal penalties for what appears to amount to clerical mistakes – not turning in forms on time.
During a question and answer session with newspaper reporters and editors on Tuesday at the Capitol, Cannon said the House may see bills emerge that would tweak the changes and that they may be looked at.
“Maybe,” said Cannon. “We’ll see what bills may emerge once we get closer to session, but it’s too soon to tell.”