Gov. Scott defends Fla. voter rules

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Gov. Rick Scott says he is defending Florida's voter rules against illegal registration by non-citizens, felons and dead people.

Scott spoke at a Tea Party Express rally in Tallahassee Sunday telling about 150 conservative activists he will decide in a few days whether to sue the federal government over access to a Department of Homeland Security non-citizen list for voter verification.

Earlier this week, Scott's administration rejected calls by the federal government to halt the effort.

A Hispanic civic organization and two naturalized citizens filed a lawsuit in federal court Friday seeking to block the state from carrying out an ongoing purge.

The Tallahassee Democrat reported Scott also credited the tea party with electing him in 2010 and said the group will play a decisive role this election.