Tallahassee, Fl--2/10/12

Members of State of Black Florida 2012 protested at the capitol today ... comparing the governor to Jim Crowe.

They say Republicans are intentionally sabotaging minority voting.

"All of our rights as Americans are meaningless unless our right to vote is respected," said protester.

Members of State of Black Florida marched at the capitol today. They say Florida republicans are stifling minority voting by way of Florida House Bill 1355.

"This legislation was a direct result from the state republican party asking the leadership to pass these rules to help them during the elections," said Leon County Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho.

The bill is known as the "Election Reform Bill." It passed last year. It was sponsored by Florida Republican Dennis Baxley. It places more restrictions on third-party voting groups. Eliminates a provision that allows voters to change names and addresses at the polls, and It shortens early voting to eight days instead of 14.

State of Black Florida reps say minority voters showed up big in early voting for in the 2008 election.

"Fifty-three percent of the African American vote was in early voting," said Sancho.

Republican party spokesman Brian Hughes says early voting wasn't harmed by the new law. He says Florida primary stats show that 100,000 more voters chose early voting in this election than in 2008. He goes on to explain that although there are fewer days to vote early, extended hours make up for the loss of days. Hughes says the primary focus of the bill was to eliminate voter fraud.

But rallyers at today's event don't buy it. They say it's an effort to discourage their votes.