ACLU files lawsuit to extend voter registration deadline in Puerto Rico

The lawsuit highlights problems caused by frequent power outages at the Permanent Registration Boards, which are the physical locations where voters can register in person. 

In a legal push to ensure voting rights in Puerto Rico, the local division of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit in federal court in San Juan, requesting that the voter registration deadline be extended to Oct. 6, 2024. 

The move comes in response to a recent court ruling that upheld a Sept. 21 deadline, despite concerns about the accessibility of the registration process.

ACLU’s lawsuit, filed on behalf of citizens Marina Espíritu, Francisco Concepción, Dante Vélez, and Iris Delia Torres López, calls for an emergency restraining order, as well as preliminary and permanent injunctions to allow eligible voters to register up to 30 days before the general election on Nov. 5, 2024. According to the ACLU, this deadline would comply with the Puerto Rico Electoral Code, which permits voter registration until 30 days before the election.

The legal action follows a decision by San Juan Superior Court Judge Raúl Candelario López, who rejected a similar request from the local parties, Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC) and the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), to extend the deadline to Oct. 6. Both parties had argued that issues with the island’s Electronic Voter Registry (e-RE) system were preventing many eligible voters from successfully registering.

In its federal complaint, the ACLU argues that thousands of eligible voters will be disenfranchised if the registration period is not extended. According to the lawsuit, the e-RE system has been plagued by technical issues, with over 81,000 applicants awaiting confirmation of their registration. The lawsuit also highlights problems caused by frequent power outages at the Permanent Registration Boards (JIP), which are the physical locations where voters can register in person. Additionally, the lawsuit notes that delays have impacted registration efforts at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR).

The ACLU emphasizes that these barriers disproportionately affect voters, especially during a crucial election year. The organization argues that the Puerto Rican government has a constitutional obligation to ensure that citizens can exercise their right to vote, regardless of technical or organizational difficulties. Without intervention, the ACLU contends that many voters could be left without the ability to participate in the 2024 general election, a violation of their civil rights.

The lawsuit marks a significant legal effort to address the structural challenges affecting voter registration in Puerto Rico, with broader implications for voter rights across the island.

Long lines have been seen at the State Election Commission and other registration centers in recent weeks. The agency’s lack of staff has also affected the registration process.

According to data provided by the CEE on Monday, more than 135,000 additional voters have so far re-registered or reactivated to vote in the general elections this coming Nov. 5. However, according to data from Somos Más, a Puerto Rico-based civic engagement nonprofit, 75% of all newly eligible voters under age 21 had not yet registered to vote.

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