Tallahassee, Florida - Feb. 10, 2012

Black state lawmakers gathered at the capitol today to proclaim changes to Florida’s election laws won’t keep them from voting.

The new law shortens the number of early voting days from 14 to 8 and eliminates one Sunday from the voting period. In 2008 Souls to the Polls campaigns took thousand of black voters from church to the ballot box. Senator Arthenia Joyner says even though there are few days to vote, black Floridians won’t be discouraged.

“We are aware of the fact that there is a premeditated design by some folks to suppress the vote in the black community and consequently we are not going to let that happen,” said Joyner.

The black leaders are hoping to win court challenges against the new election law, but say regardless of what happens, the black vote will remain a factor in Florida.

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Tallahassee, Florida - Feb. 10, 2012 - Noon

A group called the "State of Black Florida" says recent legislation threatens their right to vote. This morning they marched in front of the capitol to take a stand.

Hundreds of angry voters are inside the Civic Center talking about ways to make their voices heard. They say Florida House Bill 1355 directly inhibits minority voting.

Watch our LIVE interview above