Citing race, a federal judge strikes down parts of a 2021 Florida election law

Election 2022 Florida CD20
A voter leaves after casting her ballot in a special election for Florida's 20th Congressional District seat, at a polling place at the Ansin Sports Complex, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Miramar, Fla. Democratic Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a health care company CEO, faces Republican Jason Mariner in the special election to fill the U.S. congressional seat left vacant after Democratic U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings died last April of pancreatic cancer. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

A federal judge struck down portions of a Florida election law passed last year, saying in a ruling Thursday that the Republican-led government was using subtle tactics to suppress Black voters.

The law tightened rules on mailed ballots, drop boxes and other popular election methods — changes that made it more difficult for Black voters who, overall, have more socioeconomic disadvantages than white voters, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker wrote in his ruling.

“For the past 20 years, the majority in the Florida Legislature has attacked the voting rights of its Black constituents,” Walker added.