Incumbent Florida senator Rick Scott has increased his lead over challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell to double digits according to the latest poll conducted by ActiVote, released on Monday. However, the Republican senator showed no signs of putting his guard down with one week to go to election day, accusing the Democrat of allegedly violating Florida election laws by filming herself inside a polling location.
Mucarsel-Powell uploaded a video seemingly inside a polling station during the weekend in anticipation of her casting her early ballot. "I'm about to cast my ballot, and I am honored and emotional thinking about every Floridian who voted to get us to this point" read the caption, adding "Let's bring this home, Florida."
According to Florida Statute 102.031(5), photography is generally prohibited inside polling locations with the exception of photographing one's own ballot. Scott posted the since-deleted post by Mucarsel-Powell on his X account:
Hey @DebbieforFL, why'd you delete your video?
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) October 29, 2024
Good thing @X saved it for you here👇 https://t.co/UUXWkxoOWX pic.twitter.com/afgltYwqTd
Scott also published a statement condemning Mucarsel-Powell on his website, which included a quote from his campaign's spokesman, Jonathan Turcotte:
"Debbie Mucarsel-Powell must be held accountable for blatantly violating Florida election law in a desperate attempt to draw attention to her failing campaign. We also fully expect the Miami Supervisor of Elections to immediately condemn her for not only breaking the law, but also for violating so many voters' right to privacy. No one is above the law, including Debbie Mucarsel-Powell"
Florida Statute 102.031(5) was updated in 2019 as part of the broader election bill SB 7066, intended to standardize election procedures and safeguard voter privacy at polling locations. The change specifically restricts photography within polling rooms, following controversies around ballot consistency and voter rights for individuals with felony convictions.
Mucarcel-Powell is looking to who's looking to become the first Latina to represent Florida in the Senate, a fact that she doesn't take for granted, as she expressed to The Latin Times in a recent interview:
"I have two daughters. I have a son, and I want all three of them to have the same opportunities, to have the same rights to be whoever they want to be in this country, to live in a safe community, to get a good paying job when they're ready to work after they finish school. That's what Latino men want. That's what we all want. That's what I want to do when we get to the Senate, to give those opportunities to our children here in the state of Florida"
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