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The Florida Senate

HB 597: Special Elections

GENERAL BILL by Gottlieb

Special Elections; Revises timeframe during which vacancy must be filled by candidates qualifying within timeframes provided by general law; requires Governor to call special primary election & special election under certain circumstance; requires Governor to fix dates of special election after vacancy occurs; requires Governor to consult with Secretary of State & supervisor of elections before setting special election dates; authorizes qualified electors to file petition in circuit court seeking judicial determination of election date under specified conditions; provides that court has authority to fix & declare dates for special election; removes authority of Governor, President of Senate, & Speaker of House of Representatives to waive specified timeframes if all parties concur; requires Governor to fix dates to coincide with already scheduled election; requires that special elections to fill certain vacancies be held no later than election for which resigning officer seeks to qualify; provides that certain persons are deemed elected; requires Governor to consult with certain supervisors of election, in addition to Secretary of State, before declaring date of special election; requires that such order be issued within specified timeframe after occurrence of vacancy.

Effective Date: 7/1/2026
Last Action: 12/2/2025 House - Filed
Bill Text: PDF



Bill History

Date Chamber Action
12/2/2025 House • Filed