By Ben Kamisar - NBC News
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new election law Thursday that introduces restrictions on voting by mail and by mailboxes, which Democrats and activists warn could suppress voter turnout.
DeSantis signed the bill, approved by Republican lawmakers last month, during an interview on a Fox News program.
The governor has held more formal signing ceremonies for other bills throughout the state throughout the week.
The Republican leader argued that this law protects the "integrity and transparency" of Florida voting and that, after the successful 2020 elections, the changes will keep the state "at the forefront", echoing the message that His party has used it for months to reject criticism of this legislation.
"We think this will make it even better as we move forward, so we
are proud of the progress
we have made, but we are not resting on our laurels," he said.
[Georgia passes a law restricting access to voting. It even prohibits bringing food and water to voters waiting in line]
The DeSantis firm enacts a number of changes to Florida's election laws, including
limits on where mailboxes can be placed
;
restrictions on who can leave a voter's ballot;
a mandate for mailboxes to be staffed while they are open, new powers for party election observers;
as well as a requirement that voters must request to vote by mail more frequently.
The governor has gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in conservative circles, where he is seen as one of the main Republicans
competing for a future presidential candidacy
.
The Fox News network's Fox & Friends program has become a mainstay for Republican politicians, and a show that former President Donald Trump has praised.
New voting restrictions in Florida generate controversy
April 30, 202101: 46
The new measures will take effect immediately
, in time for local elections, special elections to the House of Representatives to replace the late Democratic Representative Alcee Hastings, and the 2022 legislative elections, which will also be decided by the governor of this state.
The changes have specific implications for the Hastings seat special election.
In addition, they also
include a change in the state "waive running" law
that will allow DeSantis to name replacements to fill the seats left vacant by some local officials who want to run for that seat in Congress.
During debate in the legislature last month, Democrats framed that part of the legislation as an abuse of power.
[Voters call for boycotting companies that support new electoral law in Georgia]
Democrats have also targeted the broader changes, joining voting rights groups in presenting the changes as
political revenge
after Democrats recorded a strong turnout in the mail vote in the 2020 election, and arguing that the restrictions will have a big effect on minority voters.
The law
"seeks to silence the voices of voters based on what they look like or where they come from,"
civil rights and voting activists from more than 20 local and national groups wrote in a letter sent to DeSantis before signing.
They added that black voters are more likely to work longer hours, live in larger households and "
rely on community voter registration drives
to access the ballot, which makes these restrictions especially unfair."
Florida Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist, who announced his run for governor this week, called the law "pathetic."
[A "Flagrant Attack on the Constitution": Biden Condemns New Law Restricting Voting Rights in Georgia]
The Florida League of Women Voters, Black Voters Matters Fund, the Florida Retirees Alliance and other organizations announced shortly after the bill became law that they were going to
file a lawsuit
, arguing that it violates the constitutional rights of Floridians. .
Voters Call for Boycotting Businesses Supporting New Georgia Election Law
April 6, 202102: 29
Florida is the latest Republican-led state so far to pass new
voting
restrictions
months after former President Donald Trump began making false and unfounded claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
Georgia passed its own restrictions in March, prompting a backlash from Democrats and activists that ultimately led to big business denouncing the measure and Major League Baseball moving the All-Star Game out of state. The push for new voting restrictions in Texas has also prompted companies to speak out. But so far, Florida has been silent.