Florida Teacher Could Face Thousands in Fines for Helping Students Pre-Register to Vote

A Florida teacher could face thousands of dollars in fines for helping students register to vote under the state's new and controversial election law, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.

Jill Cicciarelli, who oversees New Smyrna Beach High School's student government association, reportedly organized a drive at the school to get students pre-registered to vote.

But Cicciarelli's actions appear to have violated the new rules, which require third parties who sign up new voters to register with the state and submit applications within 48 hours, according to the News-Journal.

Republicans who backed the new rules say they are intended to prevent voter fraud, but critics of the measure claim they will lead to less voter participation.

"This isn't someone who was going to commit fraud," Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall said of Cicciarell. "She was doing a good thing. New Smyrna Beach High School was doing a good thing."

Click for more on this story from the Daytona Beach News-Journal