Newsfrom Florida: “A federal judge was openly skeptical about Florida’s new election law during a hearing today, raising repeated questions about why state legislators needed to put strict regulations and threaten stiff fines for organizations that run voter-registration drives. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle did not indicate how he will rule on an injunction sought by the League of Women Voters, Florida Public Interest Research Group and Rock The Vote. He asked attorneys for those groups whether the new state rules for ‘third-party registration’ drives rise to the level of unconstitutional infringement on their right to participate in the political process. But Hinkle aimed his most harsh comments and questions at lawyers for the state. He said the law passed last year virtually wipes out mail-in registration by civic groups relying on volunteers, and wondered aloud what interest the state has in making volunteers sign forms indicating they know the registration rules – and having them notify the state when they start and stop collecting registration applications.”