Florida Senate - 2026 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS/CS/HB 991, 1st Eng.
Ì868392FÎ868392
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
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Floor: 1/AE/2R . Floor: C
03/11/2026 02:28 PM . 03/12/2026 06:47 PM
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Senator Grall moved the following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3 Delete everything after the enacting clause
4 and insert:
5 Section 1. Present subsections (10) through (47) of section
6 97.021, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (11)
7 through (48), respectively, a new subsection (10) is added to
8 that section, and subsection (6) and present subsections (43)
9 and (47) of that section are amended, to read:
10 97.021 Definitions.—For the purposes of this code, except
11 where the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term:
12 (6) “Ballot” or “official ballot” means a printed sheet of
13 paper containing contests, including offices and candidates,
14 constitutional amendments, and other public measures, upon which
15 a voter’s selections will be marked by using a pen compatible
16 with or recommended for use with the voting system, for
17 tabulation by the voting system. The term includes a voter
18 verifiable paper output upon which a voter’s selections are
19 marked by a voter interface device that meets voter
20 accessibility requirements for individuals with disabilities
21 under s. 301 of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 and s.
22 101.56062 when used in reference to:
23 (a) “Electronic or electromechanical devices” means a
24 ballot that is voted by the process of electronically
25 designating, including by touchscreen, or marking with a marking
26 device for tabulation by automatic tabulating equipment or data
27 processing equipment.
28 (b) “Marksense ballots” means that printed sheet of paper,
29 used in conjunction with an electronic or electromechanical vote
30 tabulation voting system, containing the names of candidates, or
31 a statement of proposed constitutional amendments or other
32 questions or propositions submitted to the electorate at any
33 election, on which sheet of paper an elector casts his or her
34 vote.
35 (10) “Document acceptable as evidence of United States
36 citizenship” means any of the following documents:
37 (a) An original or certified copy of a United States birth
38 certificate.
39 (b) A valid, unexpired United States passport.
40 (c) A naturalization certificate issued by the United
41 States Department of Homeland Security.
42 (d) A Consular Report of Birth Abroad provided by the
43 United States Department of State.
44 (e) A current and valid Florida driver license or Florida
45 identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety
46 and Motor Vehicles, if such license or identification card
47 indicates United States citizenship.
48 (f) A current and valid photo identification issued by the
49 Federal Government or the state which indicates United States
50 citizenship.
51 (g) An order from a federal court granting United States
52 citizenship.
53
54 If the voter registration applicant’s or the voter’s legal name
55 is different from the name that appears on the document,
56 official legal documentation providing proof of legal name
57 change is also required to constitute acceptable evidence of
58 United States citizenship.
59 (44)(43) “Voter interface device” means any device that
60 communicates voting instructions and ballot information to a
61 voter and allows the voter to select and vote for candidates and
62 issues. A voter interface device may not be used to tabulate
63 votes. Any vote tabulation must be based upon a subsequent scan
64 of the marked marksense ballot or the voter-verifiable paper
65 output after the voter interface device process has been
66 completed.
67 (48)(47) “Voting system” means a method of casting and
68 processing votes which that functions wholly or partly by use of
69 electromechanical or electronic apparatus or by use of marksense
70 ballots and includes, but is not limited to, the equipment,
71 hardware, firmware, and software; the ballots; the procedures
72 for casting and processing votes; and the programs, operating
73 manuals, and supplies; and the reports, printouts, and other
74 documentation software necessary for the system’s operation.
75 Section 2. Present paragraphs (q) through (u) of subsection
76 (2) of section 97.052, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
77 paragraphs (r) through (v), respectively, and a new paragraph
78 (q) is added to that subsection, to read:
79 97.052 Uniform statewide voter registration application.—
80 (2) The uniform statewide voter registration application
81 must be designed to elicit the following information from the
82 applicant:
83 (q) Acknowledgment, by providing a box for the applicant to
84 check, that it is a third degree felony under state and federal
85 law to falsely swear or affirm or otherwise submit false
86 information on a voter registration application.
87 Section 3. Subsection (4) of section 97.0525, Florida
88 Statutes, is amended to read:
89 97.0525 Online voter registration.—
90 (4)(a) The online voter registration system must shall
91 compare the Florida driver license number or Florida
92 identification number submitted pursuant to s. 97.052(2)(n) with
93 information maintained by the Department of Highway Safety and
94 Motor Vehicles to confirm that the name and date of birth on the
95 application are consistent with the records of the Department of
96 Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
97 (b) If the applicant’s name and date of birth are
98 consistent with the records of the Department of Highway Safety
99 and Motor Vehicles and the records of the Department of Highway
100 Safety and Motor Vehicles indicate that the applicant has
101 provided a document acceptable as evidence of United States
102 citizenship, the online voter registration system must shall
103 transmit, using the statewide voter registration system
104 maintained pursuant to s. 98.035, the applicant’s registration
105 application, along with the digital signature of the applicant
106 on file with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
107 Vehicles, to the supervisor of elections. The applicant’s
108 digital signature satisfies the signature requirement of s.
109 97.052(2)(r) s. 97.052(2)(q). The applicant’s legal status as a
110 United States citizen must be recorded in the statewide voter
111 registration system.
112 (c) If the applicant’s name and date of birth match the
113 records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,
114 but the records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
115 Vehicles indicate the applicant is not a United States citizen
116 or has not provided a document acceptable as evidence of United
117 States citizenship, the online voter registration system must
118 notify the supervisor of elections that the applicant’s legal
119 status as a United States citizen could not be verified and
120 transmit, using the statewide voter registration system
121 maintained pursuant to s. 98.035, the applicant’s registration
122 application, along with the digital signature of the applicant
123 on file with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
124 Vehicles, to the supervisor of elections. The applicant’s
125 digital signature satisfies the signature requirement of s.
126 97.052(2)(r).
127 (d) If the applicant’s name and date of birth cannot be
128 verified by the records of the Department of Highway Safety and
129 Motor Vehicles, or if the applicant indicated that he or she has
130 not been issued a Florida driver license or Florida
131 identification card, the online voter registration system must
132 shall populate the applicant’s information, except for the
133 applicant’s Florida driver license number, Florida
134 identification card number, or social security number, into a
135 printable voter registration application pursuant to s.
136 97.052(2) which and direct the applicant may to print, complete,
137 sign, and date, the application and deliver the application to
138 the supervisor of elections for disposition pursuant to s.
139 97.073.
140 (e) If the applicant indicates that he or she has not been
141 issued a Florida driver license or identification card, or
142 chooses to use the system to prepopulate an application to
143 print, sign, date, and deliver to the supervisor, the online
144 voter registration system must populate the applicant’s
145 information into a printable voter registration application
146 pursuant to s. 97.052(2) and direct the applicant to print,
147 sign, and date the application and deliver the application to
148 the supervisor for disposition under s. 97.073.
149 Section 4. Subsections (2), (4), and (6) of section 97.053,
150 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
151 97.053 Acceptance of voter registration applications.—
152 (2) A voter registration application is complete and
153 becomes the official voter registration record of that applicant
154 when all information necessary to establish the applicant’s
155 eligibility pursuant to s. 97.041 is received by a voter
156 registration official and verified pursuant to subsection (6).
157 Except as provided in subsection (6), if the applicant fails to
158 complete his or her voter registration application on or before
159 prior to the date of book closing for an election, then such
160 applicant is shall not be eligible to vote in that election.
161 (4)(a) The registration date for a valid initial voter
162 registration application that has been mailed to a driver
163 license office, a voter registration agency, an armed forces
164 recruitment office, the division, or the office of any
165 supervisor in the state and bears a clear postmark is the date
166 of that postmark. If an initial voter registration application
167 that has been mailed does not bear a postmark or if the postmark
168 is unclear, the registration date is the date the application is
169 received by any supervisor or the division, unless it is
170 received within 5 days after the closing of the books for an
171 election, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, in
172 which case the registration date is the book-closing date.
173 (b) The registration date for a valid application to update
174 a voter’s record with a change of address or name is the date
175 the application was initially received once the required
176 sufficient evidence is verified.
177 (c) The registration date for a valid application to update
178 a voter’s record with a change of party affiliation is the date
179 the application was initially received, and the registration is
180 effective once the required sufficient evidence is verified
181 unless the registration books are closed for a primary election,
182 in which case the update is effective for the subsequent general
183 election.
184 (6)(a) A voter registration application, including an
185 application with a change in name, address, or party
186 affiliation, may be accepted as valid only after the department
187 has verified the authenticity or nonexistence of the Florida
188 driver license number, the Florida identification card number,
189 or the last four digits of the social security number provided
190 by the applicant. If a completed voter registration application
191 has been received by the book-closing deadline but the Florida
192 driver license number, the Florida identification card number,
193 or the last four digits of the social security number provided
194 by the applicant cannot be verified, or if the records of the
195 Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles indicate that
196 the applicant is not a United States citizen or has not provided
197 a document acceptable as evidence of United States citizenship,
198 the applicant must shall be notified and that the number cannot
199 be verified and that the applicant must provide evidence to the
200 supervisor sufficient to verify the authenticity of the
201 applicant’s Florida driver license number, Florida
202 identification card number, or last four digits of the social
203 security number or, if applicable, must provide a document
204 acceptable as evidence of United States citizenship. If the
205 applicant provides the necessary evidence, the supervisor must
206 shall place the applicant’s name on the registration rolls as an
207 active voter. If the applicant has not provided the necessary
208 evidence or the number has not otherwise been verified prior to
209 the applicant presenting himself or herself to vote, the
210 applicant must shall be provided a provisional ballot. The
211 provisional ballot must shall be counted only if the number is
212 verified by the end of the canvassing period or if the applicant
213 presents evidence to the supervisor of elections sufficient to
214 verify the authenticity of the applicant’s Florida driver
215 license number, Florida identification card number, or last four
216 digits of the social security number or, if applicable, presents
217 a document acceptable as evidence of United States citizenship
218 no later than 5 p.m. of the second day following the election.
219 (b) Upon receipt of a voter registration application,
220 including an application with a change in name, address, or
221 party affiliation, which indicates that the applicant has not
222 been issued a current and valid Florida driver license, Florida
223 identification card, or social security number, or if the
224 records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
225 indicate that the applicant is not a United States citizen or
226 has not provided a document acceptable as evidence of United
227 States citizenship, the supervisor of elections shall verify the
228 voter’s legal status as a United States citizen using available
229 state and federal governmental sources and, if applicable,
230 initiate notice pursuant to s. 98.075(7). If the voter’s legal
231 status as a United States citizen is verified, the status must
232 be recorded in the statewide voter registration system. If the
233 applicant provides a document acceptable as evidence of United
234 States citizenship, the type of document presented must be
235 recorded in the statewide voter registration system.
236 Section 5. Subsections (11) and (13) of section 97.057,
237 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
238 97.057 Voter registration by the Department of Highway
239 Safety and Motor Vehicles.—
240 (11) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
241 shall enter into an agreement with the department to match
242 information in the statewide voter registration system with
243 information in the database of the Department of Highway Safety
244 and Motor Vehicles to the extent required to verify the accuracy
245 of the Florida driver license number, Florida identification
246 number, or last four digits of the social security number and
247 the legal status as a United States citizen, provided on
248 applications for voter registration as required in s. 97.053.
249 The department shall also include in the statewide voter
250 registration system the type of documentary proof that the
251 licensee or cardholder provided as evidence of United States
252 citizenship.
253 (13) Notwithstanding declinations to register or to update
254 a voter registration pursuant to paragraph (2)(b), the
255 Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in accordance
256 with s. 98.093(8), shall must assist the Department of State in
257 regularly identifying changes in residence address on the
258 Florida driver license or Florida identification card or changes
259 in the Florida driver license or Florida identification card
260 number of such persons who may be voters of a voter. The
261 Department of State must report each such change to the
262 appropriate supervisor of elections who must change the voter’s
263 registration records in accordance with s. 98.065(4).
264 Section 6. Effective upon becoming a law, subsection (4) of
265 section 98.015, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
266 98.015 Supervisor of elections; election, tenure of office,
267 compensation, custody of registration-related documents, office
268 hours, successor, seal; appointment of deputy supervisors;
269 duties.—
270 (4)(a) At a minimum, the office of the supervisor must be
271 open Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, for a
272 period of not less than 8 hours per day, beginning no later than
273 9 a.m.
274 (b) The office of the supervisor may close to observe legal
275 holidays and other federal, state, or county-approved holidays,
276 if the office is not otherwise required to be open to fulfill
277 official duties under the Florida Election Code.
278 Section 7. Subsection (1) of section 98.045, Florida
279 Statutes, is amended to read:
280 98.045 Administration of voter registration.—
281 (1) ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANT.—
282 (a) The supervisor shall must ensure that any eligible
283 applicant for voter registration is registered to vote and that
284 each application for voter registration is processed in
285 accordance with law. The supervisor shall determine whether a
286 voter registration applicant is ineligible based on any of the
287 following:
288 1.(a) The failure to complete a voter registration
289 application as specified in s. 97.053.
290 2.(b) The applicant is deceased.
291 3.(c) The applicant has been convicted of a felony for
292 which his or her voting rights have not been restored.
293 4.(d) The applicant has been adjudicated mentally
294 incapacitated with respect to the right to vote and such right
295 has not been restored.
296 5.(e) The applicant does not meet the age requirement
297 pursuant to s. 97.041.
298 6.(f) The applicant is not a United States citizen.
299 7.(g) The applicant is a fictitious person.
300 8.(h) The applicant has provided an address of legal
301 residence that is not his or her legal residence.
302 9.(i) The applicant has provided a Florida driver license
303 number, Florida identification card number, or the last four
304 digits of a social security number that is not verifiable by the
305 department.
306 (b) If the latest voter registration records show that a
307 new applicant was previously registered but subsequently removed
308 for ineligibility pursuant to s. 98.075(7), the supervisor must
309 verify the current eligibility of the applicant to register
310 within 13 days after receipt of such records by reviewing the
311 information provided by a governmental entity listed in s.
312 98.075 or s. 98.093 to determine whether the applicant remains
313 ineligible. If the supervisor determines that the applicant is
314 ineligible, the supervisor must deny the application and notify
315 the applicant pursuant to s. 97.073.
316 Section 8. Subsection (6) and paragraph (a) of subsection
317 (7) of section 98.075, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
318 98.075 Registration records maintenance activities;
319 ineligibility determinations.—
320 (6) ELIGIBILITY.—
321 (a) Citizenship.—The department shall identify those
322 registered voters who are potentially ineligible based on their
323 legal status regarding United States citizenship by comparing or
324 receiving information from other governmental entities as
325 authorized by s. 98.093. Upon receipt of information from such
326 other governmental entities indicating a voter may be ineligible
327 based on his or her legal status regarding United States
328 citizenship, the department shall review and make an initial
329 determination as to whether the information is credible and
330 reliable. If the department determines that the information is
331 credible and reliable, the department must notify the supervisor
332 and provide a copy of the supporting documentation indicating
333 potential ineligibility of the voter to be registered. Upon
334 receipt of the notice that the department has made a
335 determination of initial credibility and reliability, the
336 supervisor must adhere to the procedures set forth in subsection
337 (7) before the removal of a registered voter’s name from the
338 statewide voter registration system. If the voter provides a
339 document acceptable as evidence of United States citizenship,
340 the supervisor must record the type of document in the statewide
341 voter registration system.
342 (b) Other bases for ineligibility OTHER BASES FOR
343 INELIGIBILITY.—Subsections (2)-(6) (2)-(5) do not limit or
344 restrict the department or the supervisor in his or her duty to
345 act upon direct receipt of, access to, or knowledge of
346 information from any governmental entity that identifies a
347 registered voter as potentially ineligible. If the department or
348 supervisor receives information from any governmental entity
349 other than those identified in subsections (2)-(6) (2)-(5) that
350 a registered voter is ineligible because the voter is deceased,
351 adjudicated a convicted felon without having had his or her
352 voting rights restored, adjudicated mentally incapacitated
353 without having had his or her voting rights restored, does not
354 meet the age requirement pursuant to s. 97.041, is not a United
355 States citizen, is a fictitious person, or has listed an address
356 that is not his or her address of legal residence, the
357 supervisor must adhere to the procedures set forth in subsection
358 (7) before the removal of the name of a registered voter who is
359 determined to be ineligible from the statewide voter
360 registration system.
361 (7) PROCEDURES FOR REMOVAL.—
362 (a) If the supervisor receives notice or information
363 pursuant to subsections (4)-(6), the supervisor of the county in
364 which the voter is registered must:
365 1. Notify the registered voter of his or her potential
366 ineligibility by mail within 7 days after receipt of notice or
367 information. The notice must include:
368 a. A statement of the basis for the registered voter’s
369 potential ineligibility and a copy of any documentation upon
370 which the potential ineligibility is based. Such documentation
371 must include any conviction from another jurisdiction determined
372 to be a similar offense to murder or a felony sexual offense, as
373 those terms are defined in s. 98.0751.
374 b. A statement that failure to respond within 30 days after
375 receipt of the notice may result in a determination of
376 ineligibility and in removal of the registered voter’s name from
377 the statewide voter registration system.
378 c. A return form that requires the registered voter to
379 admit or deny the accuracy of the information underlying the
380 potential ineligibility for purposes of a final determination by
381 the supervisor.
382 d. A statement that, if the voter is denying the accuracy
383 of the information underlying the potential ineligibility, the
384 voter has a right to request a hearing for the purpose of
385 determining eligibility.
386 e. Instructions for the registered voter to contact the
387 supervisor of elections of the county in which the voter is
388 registered if assistance is needed in resolving the matter.
389 f. Instructions for seeking restoration of civil rights
390 pursuant to s. 8, Art. IV of the State Constitution and
391 information explaining voting rights restoration pursuant to s.
392 4, Art. VI of the State Constitution following a felony
393 conviction, if applicable.
394 g. A list of the documents acceptable as evidence of United
395 States citizenship.
396 h. The following statement: “If you attempt to vote at an
397 early voting site or your normal election day polling place, you
398 will be required to vote a provisional ballot. If you vote by
399 mail, your ballot will be treated as a provisional ballot. In
400 either case, your ballot may not be counted until a final
401 determination of eligibility is made. If you wish for your
402 ballot to be counted, you must contact the supervisor of
403 elections office within 2 days after the election and present
404 evidence that you are eligible to vote.”
405 2. If the mailed notice is returned as undeliverable, the
406 supervisor must, within 14 days after receiving the returned
407 notice, either publish notice once in a newspaper of general
408 circulation in the county in which the voter was last registered
409 or publish notice on the county’s website as provided in s.
410 50.0311 or on the supervisor’s website, as deemed appropriate by
411 the supervisor. The notice must contain the following:
412 a. The voter’s name and address.
413 b. A statement that the voter is potentially ineligible to
414 be registered to vote.
415 c. A statement that failure to respond within 30 days after
416 the notice is published may result in a determination of
417 ineligibility by the supervisor and removal of the registered
418 voter’s name from the statewide voter registration system.
419 d. An instruction for the voter to contact the supervisor
420 no later than 30 days after the date of the published notice to
421 receive information regarding the basis for the potential
422 ineligibility and the procedure to resolve the matter.
423 e. An instruction to the voter that, if further assistance
424 is needed, the voter should contact the supervisor of elections
425 of the county in which the voter is registered.
426 f. A statement that, if the voter denies the accuracy of
427 the information underlying the potential ineligibility, the
428 voter has a right to request a hearing for the purpose of
429 determining eligibility.
430 g. The following statement: “If you attempt to vote at an
431 early voting site or your normal election day polling place, you
432 will be required to vote a provisional ballot. If you vote by
433 mail, your ballot will be treated as a provisional ballot. In
434 either case, your ballot may not be counted until a final
435 determination of eligibility is made. If you wish for your
436 ballot to be counted, you must contact the supervisor of
437 elections office within 2 days after the election and present
438 evidence that you are eligible to vote.”
439 3. If a registered voter fails to respond to a notice
440 pursuant to subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2., the supervisor
441 must make a final determination of the voter’s eligibility
442 within 7 days after expiration of the voter’s timeframe to
443 respond. If the supervisor determines that the voter is
444 ineligible, the supervisor must remove the name of the
445 registered voter from the statewide voter registration system
446 within 7 days. The supervisor shall notify the registered voter
447 of the supervisor’s determination and action.
448 4. If a registered voter responds to the notice pursuant to
449 subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2. and admits the accuracy of
450 the information underlying the potential ineligibility, the
451 supervisor must, as soon as practicable, make a final
452 determination of ineligibility and remove the voter’s name from
453 the statewide voter registration system. The supervisor shall
454 notify the registered voter of the supervisor’s determination
455 and action.
456 5. If a registered voter responds to the notice issued
457 pursuant to subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2. and denies the
458 accuracy of the information underlying the potential
459 ineligibility but does not request a hearing, the supervisor
460 must review the evidence and make a determination of eligibility
461 no later than 30 days after receiving the response from the
462 voter. If the supervisor determines that the registered voter is
463 ineligible, the supervisor must remove the voter’s name from the
464 statewide voter registration system upon such determination and
465 notify the registered voter of the supervisor’s determination
466 and action and that the removed voter has a right to appeal a
467 determination of ineligibility pursuant to s. 98.0755. If such
468 registered voter requests a hearing, the supervisor must send
469 notice to the registered voter to attend a hearing at a time and
470 place specified in the notice. The supervisor shall schedule and
471 issue notice for the hearing within 7 days after receiving the
472 voter’s request for a hearing and shall hold the hearing no
473 later than 30 days after issuing the notice of the hearing. A
474 voter may request an extension upon showing good cause by
475 submitting an affidavit to the supervisor as to why he or she is
476 unable to attend the scheduled hearing. Upon hearing all
477 evidence presented at the hearing, the supervisor shall make a
478 determination of eligibility within 7 days. If the supervisor
479 determines that the registered voter is ineligible, the
480 supervisor must remove the voter’s name from the statewide voter
481 registration system and notify the registered voter of the
482 supervisor’s determination and action and that the removed voter
483 has a right to appeal a determination of ineligibility pursuant
484 to s. 98.0755.
485 Section 9. Present subsection (9) of section 98.093,
486 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (10), a new
487 subsection (9) is added to that section, and subsection (8) of
488 that section is amended, to read:
489 98.093 Duty of officials to furnish information relating to
490 deceased persons, persons adjudicated mentally incapacitated,
491 persons convicted of a felony, and persons who are not United
492 States citizens.—
493 (8) DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES.—The
494 Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall furnish
495 weekly to the department the following information:
496 (a) Information identifying those persons whose names have
497 been removed from the Florida driver license or Florida
498 identification card database during the preceding week because
499 they have been licensed or been issued an identification card in
500 another state. The information must contain the person’s name,
501 last known Florida address, date of birth, sex, last four digits
502 of his or her social security number, and Florida driver license
503 number or Florida identification card number and, if available,
504 the address and the state in which the person is now licensed.
505 (b) Information identifying those persons who during the
506 preceding week presented evidence of non-United States
507 citizenship upon being issued a new or renewed Florida driver
508 license or Florida identification card. The information must
509 contain the person’s name; address; date of birth; last four
510 digits of the social security number, if applicable; Florida
511 driver license number or Florida identification card number, as
512 available; and alien registration number or other legal status
513 identifier.
514 (c) Information identifying those persons who during the
515 preceding week presented a document acceptable as evidence of
516 United States citizenship upon being issued a new, renewed, or
517 replacement Florida driver license or Florida identification
518 card. The information must contain the person’s name; address;
519 date of birth; last four digits of the social security number,
520 if applicable; Florida driver license number or Florida
521 identification card number, as available; type of documentary
522 proof provided in support of citizenship; and, if applicable,
523 alien registration number or other legal status identifier.
524 (d) Information identifying a change in residence address
525 on the Florida driver license or Florida identification card of
526 any person who declined pursuant to s. 97.057(2) to register or
527 update his or her voter record. The information must contain the
528 person’s name; date of birth; last four digits of the social
529 security number, if available; and Florida driver license number
530 or Florida identification card number, as available, in order to
531 identify a voter’s registration record. The Department of State
532 must report each such change in residence address to the
533 appropriate supervisor, who must change the voter’s registration
534 records in accordance with s. 98.065(4).
535 (e) Information identifying new, renewed, or replacement
536 Florida driver license or Florida identification card numbers
537 issued to persons who declined pursuant to s. 97.057(2) to
538 register or update their voter record. The information must
539 contain the person’s name; date of birth; last four digits of
540 the social security number, if available; and the prior, if
541 applicable, and current Florida driver license number or Florida
542 identification card number in order to identify a voter’s
543 registration record. Within 7 days, the Department of State
544 shall report such information to the appropriate supervisor, who
545 must update the voter registration records.
546 (f) Information identifying those persons for which it has
547 received official information during the preceding week that the
548 person is deceased. The information must contain the name,
549 address, date of birth, last four digits of the social security
550 number, Florida driver license number or Florida identification
551 card number, and date of death of each such person.
552 (9) FEDERAL COURTS.—Upon receipt of information from a jury
553 coordinator that a person was disqualified or potentially
554 disqualified as a prospective juror from jury service due to not
555 having United States citizenship, being convicted of a felony,
556 being deceased, being a nonresident of this state, or being a
557 nonresident of the county, the department shall use such
558 information to identify registered voters or applicants for
559 voter registration who may be potentially ineligible based on
560 information provided in accordance with s. 98.075.
561 Section 10. Effective upon this act becoming a law,
562 paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (1) of section
563 99.021, Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraphs (f) and
564 (g) are added to that subsection, to read:
565 99.021 Form of candidate oath.—
566 (1)
567 (b) In addition, any person seeking to qualify for
568 nomination as a candidate of any political party shall, at the
569 time of subscribing to the oath or affirmation, state in
570 writing:
571 1. The party of which the person is a member.
572 2. That the person has been a registered member of the
573 political party for which he or she is seeking nomination as a
574 candidate for at least 365 consecutive days preceding before the
575 beginning of qualifying before preceding the general election
576 for which the person seeks to qualify.
577 3. That the person has paid the assessment levied against
578 him or her, if any, as a candidate for said office by the
579 executive committee of the party of which he or she is a member.
580 4. That the person has not legally changed his or her name
581 through a petition pursuant to s. 68.07 during the 365-day
582 period preceding the beginning of qualifying. This subparagraph
583 does not apply to any change of name in proceedings for
584 dissolution of marriage or adoption of children or based on a
585 change of name conducted with a marriage certificate.
586 (c) In addition, any person seeking to qualify for office
587 as a candidate with no party affiliation shall, at the time of
588 subscribing to the oath or affirmation, state in writing that he
589 or she is registered without any party affiliation and that he
590 or she has not:
591 1. Been a registered member of any political party for at
592 least 365 consecutive days preceding before the beginning of
593 qualifying before preceding the general election for which the
594 person seeks to qualify.
595 2. Legally changed his or her name through a petition
596 pursuant to s. 68.07 during the 365-day period preceding the
597 beginning of qualifying. This subparagraph does not apply to any
598 change of name in proceedings for dissolution of marriage or
599 adoption of children or based on a change of name conducted with
600 a marriage certificate.
601 (d)1. In addition, each candidate, whether a party
602 candidate, a candidate with no party affiliation, or a write-in
603 candidate, shall, at the time of subscribing to the oath or
604 affirmation, state in writing whether he or she owes any
605 outstanding fines, fees, or penalties that cumulatively exceed
606 $250 for any violations of s. 8, Art. II of the State
607 Constitution; the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and
608 Employees under part III of chapter 112; any local ethics
609 ordinance governing standards of conduct and disclosure
610 requirements; or chapter 106. If the candidate owes any
611 outstanding fines, fees, or penalties exceeding the threshold
612 amount specified in this paragraph, he or she must also specify
613 the amount owed and each entity that levied such fine, fee, or
614 penalty. For purposes of this paragraph, any such fines, fees,
615 or penalties that have been paid in full at the time of
616 subscribing to the oath or affirmation are not deemed to be
617 outstanding.
618 2. In addition, each candidate seeking federal office,
619 whether a party candidate, a candidate with no party
620 affiliation, or a write-in candidate, shall, at the time of
621 subscribing to the oath or affirmation, state in writing whether
622 he or she intends to trade stocks, if elected, in a manner other
623 than through a trust or similar mechanism which strictly limits
624 his or her ability to influence or exercise control over
625 decisions regarding the management of assets.
626 (f) The statements in subparagraphs (b)4. and (c)2.
627 constitute substantive requirements for the person completing
628 the statement, and compliance with those requirements is
629 mandatory. The sole method to enforce compliance with such
630 requirements is contained in this paragraph. Compliance with
631 subparagraphs (b)4. and (c)2. may be challenged by a qualified
632 candidate or a political party with qualified candidates in the
633 same race by filing an action in the circuit court for the
634 county in which the qualifying officer is headquartered. A
635 person may not be qualified as a candidate for nomination or
636 election and his or her name may not appear on the ballot if in
637 an order that has become final, the court determines that the
638 person seeking to qualify has legally changed his or her name
639 through a petition pursuant to s. 68.07 during the 365-day
640 period preceding the beginning of qualifying, unless such change
641 of name occurred in proceedings for dissolution of marriage or
642 adoption of children or was based on a change of name conducted
643 with a marriage certificate.
644 (g) The statements in subparagraphs (b)2. and (c)1.
645 constitute substantive requirements for the person completing
646 the statement, and compliance with those requirements is
647 mandatory. The sole method to enforce compliance with such
648 requirements is contained in this paragraph. Compliance with
649 subparagraphs (b)2. and (c)1. may be challenged by a qualified
650 candidate or a political party with qualified candidates in the
651 same race by filing an action in the circuit court for the
652 county in which the qualifying officer is headquartered. A
653 person may not be qualified as a candidate for nomination or
654 election, and his or her name may not appear on the ballot, if,
655 in an order that has become final, the court determines that:
656 1. The person seeking to qualify for nomination as a
657 candidate of any political party has not been a registered
658 member of that party for the 365-day period preceding the
659 beginning of qualifying; or
660 2. The person seeking to qualify for office as a candidate
661 with no party affiliation has not been registered without party
662 affiliation for, or has been a registered member of any
663 political party during, the 365-day period preceding the
664 beginning of qualifying.
665 Section 11. Effective upon becoming a law, section 99.0211,
666 Florida Statutes, is created to read:
667 99.0211 Challenging candidacy.—
668 (1) A candidate must be able to satisfy all statutory and
669 constitutional requirements for the office for which he or she
670 is seeking nomination or election.
671 (2) A candidate or a political party with a candidate in
672 the same race, or an affiliated party committee as authorized by
673 s. 103.092, may challenge a candidate’s compliance with
674 subsection (1) by filing an action for declaratory and
675 injunctive relief in the circuit court for the county in which
676 the filing officer is headquartered.
677 (3) A person may not be qualified as a candidate for
678 nomination or election, and his or her name may not appear on
679 the ballot, if, in an order that has become final, the court
680 determines that the candidate will not, at the time of
681 qualification, election, or assumption of office, as applicable,
682 satisfy all statutory and constitutional requirements for the
683 office for which he or she is seeking nomination or election.
684 (4) A candidate, a political party, or an affiliated party
685 committee bringing an action for declaratory and injunctive
686 relief under subsection (2) is entitled to an expedited final
687 hearing, and any appeal of a final hearing must receive
688 expedited consideration by the appellate court. Upon a final
689 order of the circuit court which contains the determination
690 under subsection (3), the supervisor of elections in each county
691 affected by such candidacy shall remove the name of the
692 candidate from the ballot or, if the ballots have already been
693 printed, include a notice with each vote-by-mail ballot, and
694 post a notice at each early voting location and polling
695 precinct, stating that a vote for such candidate will not be
696 counted.
697 Section 12. Effective upon becoming a law, paragraph (a) of
698 subsection (7) of section 99.061, Florida Statutes, is amended
699 to read:
700 99.061 Method of qualifying for nomination or election to
701 federal, state, county, or district office.—
702 (7)(a) In order for a candidate to be qualified, the
703 following items must be received by the filing officer by the
704 end of the qualifying period:
705 1. A properly executed check drawn upon the candidate’s
706 campaign account payable to the person or entity as prescribed
707 by the filing officer in an amount not less than the fee
708 required by s. 99.092, unless the candidate obtained the
709 required number of signatures on petitions pursuant to s.
710 99.095. The filing fee for a special district candidate is not
711 required to be drawn upon the candidate’s campaign account. If a
712 candidate’s check is returned by the bank for any reason, the
713 filing officer shall immediately notify the candidate and the
714 candidate shall have until the end of qualifying to pay the fee
715 with a cashier’s check purchased from funds of the campaign
716 account. Failure to pay the fee as provided in this subparagraph
717 shall disqualify the candidate.
718 2. The candidate’s oath required by s. 99.021, which must
719 contain the name of the candidate as it is to appear on the
720 ballot; the office sought, including the district or group
721 number if applicable; and the signature of the candidate, which
722 must be verified under oath or affirmation pursuant to s.
723 92.525(1)(a).
724 3. If the office sought is partisan, the written statement
725 of political party affiliation required by s. 99.021(1)(b); or
726 if the candidate is running without party affiliation for a
727 partisan office, the written statement required by s.
728 99.021(1)(c).
729 4. If the office sought is federal, the written statement
730 required by s. 99.021(1)(d)2.
731 5. The completed form for the appointment of campaign
732 treasurer and designation of campaign depository, as required by
733 s. 106.021.
734 6.5. The full and public disclosure or statement of
735 financial interests required by subsection (5). A public officer
736 who has filed the full and public disclosure or statement of
737 financial interests with the Commission on Ethics before
738 qualifying for office may file a copy of that disclosure or a
739 verification or receipt of electronic filing as provided in
740 subsection (5) at the time of qualifying.
741 7. An oath or affirmation in writing that states whether
742 the candidate is a citizen of another country in addition to
743 being a citizen of the United States, and, if so, discloses any
744 other country of which the candidate is also a citizen.
745 8. For a candidate seeking federal office, whether a party
746 candidate, a candidate with no party affiliation, or a write-in
747 candidate, an oath or affirmation in writing which states
748 whether the candidate previously held a federal office and, if
749 so, discloses whether the candidate traded stocks while in such
750 office in a manner other than through a trust or similar
751 mechanism which strictly limited his or her ability to influence
752 or exercise control over decisions regarding the management of
753 assets.
754 Section 13. Subsection (1) of section 101.043, Florida
755 Statutes, is amended to read:
756 101.043 Identification required at polls.—
757 (1)(a) The precinct register, as prescribed in s. 98.461,
758 must shall be used at the polls for the purpose of identifying
759 the elector at the polls before allowing him or her to vote. The
760 clerk or inspector shall require each elector, upon entering the
761 polling place, to present one of the following current and valid
762 picture identifications:
763 1. Florida driver license.
764 2. Florida identification card issued by the Department of
765 Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
766 3. United States passport or passport card.
767 4. Debit or credit card.
768 5. United States uniformed services or Merchant Marine
769 Military identification.
770 6. Student identification.
771 7. Retirement center identification.
772 8. Neighborhood association identification.
773 9. Public assistance identification.
774 5.10. Veteran health identification card issued by the
775 United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
776 6.11. A license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm
777 issued pursuant to s. 790.06.
778 7.12. Any other Employee identification card issued by any
779 branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government,
780 the state, a county, or a municipality, excluding identification
781 cards issued by an educational institution.
782 (b) If the picture identification does not contain the
783 signature of the elector, an additional identification that
784 provides the elector’s signature is shall be required. The
785 address appearing on the identification presented by the elector
786 may not be used as the basis to challenge an elector’s legal
787 residence. The elector must shall sign his or her name in the
788 space provided on the precinct register or on an electronic
789 device provided for recording the elector’s signature. The clerk
790 or inspector shall compare the signature with that on the
791 identification provided by the elector and enter his or her
792 initials in the space provided on the precinct register or on an
793 electronic device provided for that purpose and allow the
794 elector to vote if the clerk or inspector is satisfied as to the
795 identity of the elector.
796 Section 14. Paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section
797 101.048, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
798 101.048 Provisional ballots.—
799 (6)
800 (d) Instructions must accompany the cure affidavit in
801 substantially the following form:
802
803 READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE
804 AFFIDAVIT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR
805 BALLOT NOT TO COUNT.
806 1. In order to cure the missing signature or the signature
807 discrepancy on your Provisional Ballot Voter’s Certificate and
808 Affirmation, your affidavit should be completed and returned as
809 soon as possible so that it can reach the supervisor of
810 elections of the county in which your precinct is located no
811 later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election.
812 2. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter’s
813 Signature).
814 3. You must make a copy of one of the following forms of
815 identification:
816 a. Tier 1 identification.—Current and valid identification
817 that includes your name and photograph: Florida driver license;
818 Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway
819 Safety and Motor Vehicles; United States passport or passport
820 card; United States uniformed services or Merchant Marine; debit
821 or credit card; military identification; student identification;
822 retirement center identification; neighborhood association
823 identification; public assistance identification; veteran health
824 identification card issued by the United States Department of
825 Veterans Affairs; Florida license to carry a concealed weapon or
826 firearm; or any other employee identification card issued by any
827 branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government,
828 the state, a county, or a municipality, excluding identification
829 cards issued by an educational institution; or
830 b. Tier 2 identification.—ONLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TIER 1
831 FORM OF IDENTIFICATION, identification that shows your name and
832 current residence address: current utility bill; bank statement;
833 government check; paycheck; or government document (excluding
834 voter information card).
835 4. Place the envelope bearing the affidavit into a mailing
836 envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy of your
837 identification in the mailing envelope. Mail (if time permits),
838 deliver, or have delivered the completed affidavit along with
839 the copy of your identification to your county supervisor of
840 elections. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed and
841 that the supervisor’s address is correct. Remember, your
842 information MUST reach your county supervisor of elections no
843 later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day following the election or your
844 ballot will not count.
845 5. Alternatively, you may fax or e-mail your completed
846 affidavit and a copy of your identification to the supervisor of
847 elections. If e-mailing, please provide these documents as
848 attachments.
849 6. Submitting a provisional ballot affidavit does not
850 establish your eligibility to vote in this election or guarantee
851 that your ballot will be counted. The county canvassing board
852 determines your eligibility to vote through information provided
853 on the Provisional Ballot Voter’s Certificate and Affirmation,
854 written evidence provided by you, including information in your
855 cure affidavit along with any supporting identification, and any
856 other evidence presented by the supervisor of elections or a
857 challenger. You may still be required to present additional
858 written evidence to support your eligibility to vote.
859 Section 15. Subsection (1) of section 101.151, Florida
860 Statutes, is amended to read:
861 101.151 Specifications for ballots.—
862 (1)(a) Marksense Ballots must shall be printed on paper of
863 such thickness that the printing cannot be distinguished from
864 the back and must shall meet the specifications of the voting
865 system that will be used to tabulate the ballots.
866 (b) Polling places and early voting sites may employ a
867 ballot-on-demand production system to print individual marksense
868 ballots, including provisional ballots, for eligible voters
869 electors. Ballot-on-demand technology may be used to produce
870 marksense vote-by-mail, early voting, and election-day ballots.
871 Section 16. Subsection (4) of section 101.5606, Florida
872 Statutes, is amended to read:
873 101.5606 Requirements for approval of systems.—No
874 electronic or electromechanical voting system shall be approved
875 by the Department of State unless it is so constructed that:
876 (4) For systems using marksense ballots, It accepts a
877 rejected ballot pursuant to subsection (3) if a voter chooses to
878 cast the ballot, but records no vote for any office that has
879 been overvoted or undervoted.
880 Section 17. Section 101.56075, Florida Statutes, is amended
881 to read:
882 101.56075 Voting methods.—For the purpose of designating
883 ballot selections, all voting must be by official marksense
884 ballot, using a pen compatible with or recommended for use with
885 the voting system, unless a voter requests to vote using marking
886 device or a voter interface device that produces a voter
887 verifiable paper output and meets the voter accessibility
888 requirements for individuals with disabilities under s. 301 of
889 the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 and s. 101.56062.
890 Section 18. Section 101.5608, Florida Statutes, is amended
891 to read:
892 101.5608 Voting at the polls by electronic or
893 electromechanical method; procedures.—
894 (1) Each voter elector desiring to vote must shall be
895 identified to the clerk or inspector of the election as a duly
896 qualified voter elector of such election and must shall sign his
897 or her name on the precinct register or other form or device
898 provided by the supervisor. The inspector shall compare the
899 signature with the signature on the identification provided by
900 the voter elector. If the inspector is reasonably sure that the
901 person is entitled to vote, the inspector must shall provide the
902 person with a ballot.
903 (2) When an electronic or electromechanical voting system
904 utilizes a ballot card or marksense ballot, the following
905 procedures must shall be followed to vote:
906 (a) After receiving a ballot from an inspector, the voter
907 elector shall, without leaving the polling place, retire to a
908 booth or compartment and mark the ballot. After marking his or
909 her ballot, the voter must elector shall place the ballot in a
910 secrecy envelope so that the ballot will be deposited in the
911 tabulator without exposing the voter’s choices.
912 (b) Any voter who spoils his or her ballot or makes an
913 error may return the ballot to the election official and secure
914 another ballot, except that in no case shall a voter be
915 furnished more than three ballots. If the vote tabulation device
916 has rejected a ballot, the ballot must shall be considered
917 spoiled and a new ballot must shall be provided to the voter
918 unless the voter chooses to cast the rejected ballot. The
919 election official, without examining the original ballot, shall
920 state the possible reasons for the rejection and shall provide
921 instruction to the voter pursuant to s. 101.5611. A spoiled
922 ballot must shall be preserved, without examination, in an
923 envelope provided for that purpose. The stub shall be removed
924 from the ballot and placed in an envelope.
925 (c) The supervisor of elections shall prepare for each
926 polling place at least one ballot box to contain the ballots of
927 a particular precinct, and each ballot box must shall be plainly
928 marked with the name of the precinct for which it is intended.
929 (3) The Department of State shall promulgate rules
930 regarding voting procedures to be used when an electronic or
931 electromechanical voting system is of a type which does not
932 utilize a ballot card or marksense ballot.
933 (4) In any election in which a write-in candidate has
934 qualified for office, the supervisor of elections shall provide
935 for write-in voting pursuant to rules adopted by the Division of
936 Elections.
937 Section 19. Subsection (5) of section 101.5612, Florida
938 Statutes, is amended to read:
939 101.5612 Testing of tabulating equipment.—
940 (5) Any tests involving marksense ballots pursuant to this
941 section must shall employ test ballots created by the supervisor
942 of elections using actual ballots that have been printed for the
943 election. If ballot-on-demand ballots will be used in the
944 election, the supervisor must shall also create test ballots
945 using the ballot-on-demand technology that will be used to
946 produce ballots in the election, using the same paper stock as
947 will be used for ballots in the election.
948 Section 20. Paragraph (d) of subsection (4) of section
949 101.68, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
950 101.68 Canvassing of vote-by-mail ballot.—
951 (4)
952 (d) Instructions must accompany the cure affidavit in
953 substantially the following form:
954
955 READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE
956 AFFIDAVIT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR
957 BALLOT NOT TO COUNT.
958
959 1. In order to ensure that your vote-by-mail ballot will be
960 counted, your affidavit should be completed and returned as soon
961 as possible so that it can reach the supervisor of elections of
962 the county in which your precinct is located no later than 5
963 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election.
964 2. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter’s
965 Signature).
966 3. You must make a copy of one of the following forms of
967 identification:
968 a. Tier 1 identification.—Current and valid identification
969 that includes your name and photograph: Florida driver license;
970 Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway
971 Safety and Motor Vehicles; United States passport or passport
972 card; United States uniformed services or Merchant Marine; debit
973 or credit card; military identification; student identification;
974 retirement center identification; neighborhood association
975 identification; public assistance identification; veteran health
976 identification card issued by the United States Department of
977 Veterans Affairs; a Florida license to carry a concealed weapon
978 or firearm; or any an employee identification card issued by any
979 branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government,
980 the state, a county, or a municipality, excluding identification
981 cards issued by an educational institution; or
982 b. Tier 2 identification.—ONLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TIER 1
983 FORM OF IDENTIFICATION, identification that shows your name and
984 current residence address: current utility bill, bank statement,
985 government check, paycheck, or government document (excluding
986 voter information card).
987 4. Place the envelope bearing the affidavit into a mailing
988 envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy of your
989 identification in the mailing envelope. Mail (if time permits),
990 deliver, or have delivered the completed affidavit along with
991 the copy of your identification to your county supervisor of
992 elections. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed and
993 that the supervisor’s address is correct. Remember, your
994 information MUST reach your county supervisor of elections no
995 later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election, or your
996 ballot will not count.
997 5. Alternatively, you may fax or e-mail your completed
998 affidavit and a copy of your identification to the supervisor of
999 elections. If e-mailing, please provide these documents as
1000 attachments.
1001 Section 21. Subsection (2) of section 101.6923, Florida
1002 Statutes, is amended to read:
1003 101.6923 Special vote-by-mail ballot instructions for
1004 certain first-time voters.—
1005 (2) A voter covered by this section must be provided with
1006 printed instructions with his or her vote-by-mail ballot in
1007 substantially the following form:
1008
1009 READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE MARKING YOUR
1010 BALLOT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR
1011 BALLOT NOT TO COUNT.
1012
1013 1. In order to ensure that your vote-by-mail ballot will be
1014 counted, it should be completed and returned as soon as possible
1015 so that it can reach the supervisor of elections of the county
1016 in which your precinct is located no later than 7 p.m. on the
1017 date of the election. However, if you are an overseas voter
1018 casting a ballot in a presidential preference primary or general
1019 election, your vote-by-mail ballot must be postmarked or dated
1020 no later than the date of the election and received by the
1021 supervisor of elections of the county in which you are
1022 registered to vote no later than 10 days after the date of the
1023 election. Note that the later you return your ballot, the less
1024 time you will have to cure signature deficiencies, which is
1025 authorized until 5 p.m. local time on the 2nd day after the
1026 election.
1027 2. Mark your ballot in secret as instructed on the ballot.
1028 You must mark your own ballot unless you are unable to do so
1029 because of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write.
1030 3. Mark only the number of candidates or issue choices for
1031 a race as indicated on the ballot. If you are allowed to “Vote
1032 for One” candidate and you vote for more than one, your vote in
1033 that race will not be counted.
1034 4. Place your marked ballot in the enclosed secrecy
1035 envelope and seal the envelope.
1036 5. Insert the secrecy envelope into the enclosed envelope
1037 bearing the Voter’s Certificate. Seal the envelope and
1038 completely fill out the Voter’s Certificate on the back of the
1039 envelope.
1040 a. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter’s
1041 Signature).
1042 b. If you are an overseas voter, you must include the date
1043 you signed the Voter’s Certificate on the line above (Date) or
1044 your ballot may not be counted.
1045 c. A vote-by-mail ballot will be considered illegal and
1046 will not be counted if the signature on the Voter’s Certificate
1047 does not match the signature on record. The signature on file at
1048 the start of the canvass of the vote-by-mail ballots is the
1049 signature that will be used to verify your signature on the
1050 Voter’s Certificate. If you need to update your signature for
1051 this election, send your signature update on a voter
1052 registration application to your supervisor of elections so that
1053 it is received before your vote-by-mail ballot is received.
1054 6. Unless you meet one of the exemptions in Item 7., you
1055 must make a copy of one of the following forms of
1056 identification:
1057 a. Identification which must include your name and
1058 photograph: United States passport or passport card; United
1059 States uniformed services or Merchant Marine; debit or credit
1060 card; military identification; student identification;
1061 retirement center identification; neighborhood association
1062 identification; public assistance identification; veteran health
1063 identification card issued by the United States Department of
1064 Veterans Affairs; a Florida license to carry a concealed weapon
1065 or firearm; or any an employee identification card issued by any
1066 branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government,
1067 the state, a county, or a municipality, excluding identification
1068 cards issued by an educational institution; or
1069 b. Identification which shows your name and current
1070 residence address: current utility bill, bank statement,
1071 government check, paycheck, or government document (excluding
1072 voter information card).
1073 7. The identification requirements of Item 6. do not apply
1074 if you meet one of the following requirements:
1075 a. You are 65 years of age or older.
1076 b. You have a temporary or permanent physical disability.
1077 c. You are a member of a uniformed service on active duty
1078 who, by reason of such active duty, will be absent from the
1079 county on election day.
1080 d. You are a member of the Merchant Marine who, by reason
1081 of service in the Merchant Marine, will be absent from the
1082 county on election day.
1083 e. You are the spouse or dependent of a member referred to
1084 in paragraph c. or paragraph d. who, by reason of the active
1085 duty or service of the member, will be absent from the county on
1086 election day.
1087 f. You are currently residing outside the United States.
1088 8. Place the envelope bearing the Voter’s Certificate into
1089 the mailing envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy
1090 of your identification in the mailing envelope. DO NOT PUT YOUR
1091 IDENTIFICATION INSIDE THE SECRECY ENVELOPE WITH THE BALLOT OR
1092 INSIDE THE ENVELOPE WHICH BEARS THE VOTER’S CERTIFICATE OR YOUR
1093 BALLOT WILL NOT COUNT.
1094 9. Mail, deliver, or have delivered the completed mailing
1095 envelope. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed.
1096 10. FELONY NOTICE. It is a felony under Florida law to
1097 accept any gift, payment, or gratuity in exchange for your vote
1098 for a candidate. It is also a felony under Florida law to vote
1099 in an election using a false identity or false address, or under
1100 any other circumstances making your ballot false or fraudulent.
1101 Section 22. Subsection (2) of section 102.111, Florida
1102 Statutes, is amended to read:
1103 102.111 Elections Canvassing Commission.—
1104 (2) The Elections Canvassing Commission shall meet at 9 8
1105 a.m. on the 9th day after a primary election and at 9 8 a.m. on
1106 the 14th day after a general election to certify the returns of
1107 the election for each federal, state, and multicounty office and
1108 for each constitutional amendment. On days the Legislature
1109 convenes for organizational session pursuant to s. 3(a), Art.
1110 III of the State Constitution, such meeting will begin at 8 a.m.
1111 If a member of a county canvassing board that was constituted
1112 pursuant to s. 102.141 determines, within 5 days after the
1113 certification by the Elections Canvassing Commission, that a
1114 typographical error occurred in the official returns of the
1115 county, the correction of which could result in a change in the
1116 outcome of an election, the county canvassing board must certify
1117 corrected returns to the Department of State within 24 hours,
1118 and the Elections Canvassing Commission must correct and
1119 recertify the election returns as soon as practicable.
1120 Section 23. Subsections (3) through (7) of section 102.141,
1121 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1122 102.141 County canvassing board; duties.—
1123 (3) The canvass, except the canvass of returned vote-by
1124 mail ballots absent electors’ returns and the canvass of
1125 provisional ballots, must shall be made from the returns and
1126 certificates of the inspectors as signed and filed by them with
1127 the supervisor, and the county canvassing board may shall not
1128 change the number of votes cast for a candidate, nominee,
1129 constitutional amendment, or other measure submitted to the
1130 electorate of the county, respectively, in any polling place, as
1131 shown by the returns. All returns must shall be made to the
1132 board on or before 2 a.m. of the day following any primary,
1133 general, or other election. If the returns from any precinct are
1134 missing, if there are any omissions on the returns from any
1135 precinct, or if there is an obvious error on any such returns,
1136 the canvassing board must shall order a retabulation of the
1137 returns from such precinct. Before canvassing such returns, the
1138 canvassing board shall examine the tabulation of the ballots
1139 cast in such precinct and determine whether the returns
1140 correctly reflect the votes cast. If there is a discrepancy
1141 between the returns and the tabulation of the ballots cast, the
1142 tabulation of the ballots cast must shall be presumed correct
1143 and such votes must shall be canvassed accordingly.
1144 (4)(a) The supervisor of elections shall upload into the
1145 county’s election management system by 7 p.m. local time on the
1146 day before the election the results of all early voting and
1147 vote-by-mail ballots that have been canvassed and tabulated by
1148 the end of the early voting period. Pursuant to ss. 101.5614(8),
1149 101.657, and 101.68(2), the tabulation of votes cast or the
1150 results of such uploads may not be made public before the close
1151 of the polls on election day.
1152 (b) The supervisor of elections, on behalf of the
1153 canvassing board, shall report all early voting and all
1154 tabulated vote-by-mail results to the Department of State within
1155 30 minutes after the polls close. Thereafter, the canvassing
1156 board shall report, with the exception of provisional ballot
1157 results, updated precinct election results shall be uploaded to
1158 the department at least every 45 minutes until all results are
1159 completely reported. The supervisor of elections shall notify
1160 the department immediately of any circumstances that do not
1161 permit periodic updates as required. Results must shall be
1162 submitted in a format prescribed by the department.
1163 (5) The canvassing board shall submit on forms or in
1164 formats provided by the division unofficial returns to the
1165 Department of State for each federal, statewide, state, or
1166 multicounty office or ballot measure no later than noon on the
1167 third day after any primary election and no later than noon on
1168 the fourth day after any general or other election. Such returns
1169 must shall include the canvass of all ballots, including write
1170 in votes, as required by subsection (2).
1171 (6) If the county canvassing board determines that the
1172 unofficial returns may contain a counting error in which the
1173 vote tabulation system failed to count votes that were properly
1174 marked in accordance with the instructions on the ballot, the
1175 county canvassing board must shall:
1176 (a) Correct the error and retabulate the affected ballots
1177 with the vote tabulation system; or
1178 (b) Request that the Department of State verify the
1179 tabulation software. When the Department of State verifies such
1180 software, the department shall compare the software used to
1181 tabulate the votes with the software filed with the department
1182 pursuant to s. 101.5607 and check the election parameters.
1183 (7) If the unofficial returns reflect that a candidate for
1184 any office was defeated or eliminated by one-half of a percent
1185 or less of the votes cast for such office, that a candidate for
1186 retention to a judicial office was retained or not retained by
1187 one-half of a percent or less of the votes cast on the question
1188 of retention, or that a measure appearing on the ballot was
1189 approved or rejected by one-half of a percent or less of the
1190 votes cast on such measure, a recount shall be ordered of the
1191 votes cast with respect to such office or measure. The Secretary
1192 of State is responsible for ordering recounts in races that are
1193 federal or, state races that are, and multicounty and any other
1194 multicounty races. The county canvassing board or the local
1195 board responsible for certifying the election is responsible for
1196 ordering recounts in all other races. A recount need not be
1197 ordered with respect to the returns for any office, however, if
1198 the candidate or candidates defeated or eliminated from
1199 contention for such office by one-half of a percent or less of
1200 the votes cast for such office request in writing that a recount
1201 not be made.
1202 (a) Each canvassing board responsible for conducting a
1203 recount shall put each marksense ballot through automatic
1204 tabulating equipment and determine whether the returns correctly
1205 reflect the votes cast. If any marksense ballot is physically
1206 damaged so that it cannot be properly counted by the automatic
1207 tabulating equipment during the recount, a true duplicate shall
1208 be made of the damaged ballot pursuant to the procedures in s.
1209 101.5614(4). Immediately before the start of the recount, a test
1210 of the tabulating equipment shall be conducted as provided in s.
1211 101.5612. If the test indicates no error, the recount tabulation
1212 of the ballots cast shall be presumed correct and such votes
1213 shall be canvassed accordingly. If an error is detected, the
1214 cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and the
1215 recount repeated, as necessary. The canvassing board shall
1216 immediately report the error, along with the cause of the error
1217 and the corrective measures being taken, to the Department of
1218 State. No later than 11 days after the election, the canvassing
1219 board shall file a separate incident report with the Department
1220 of State, detailing the resolution of the matter and identifying
1221 any measures that will avoid a future recurrence of the error.
1222 If the automatic tabulating equipment used in a recount is not
1223 part of the voting system and the ballots have already been
1224 processed through such equipment, the canvassing board is not
1225 required to put each ballot through any automatic tabulating
1226 equipment again.
1227 (b) Each canvassing board responsible for conducting a
1228 recount where touchscreen ballots were used shall examine the
1229 counters on the precinct tabulators to ensure that the total of
1230 the returns on the precinct tabulators equals the overall
1231 election return. If there is a discrepancy between the overall
1232 election return and the counters of the precinct tabulators, the
1233 counters of the precinct tabulators shall be presumed correct
1234 and such votes shall be canvassed accordingly.
1235 (c) The canvassing board shall submit on forms or in
1236 formats provided by the division a second set of unofficial
1237 returns to the Department of State for each federal, statewide,
1238 state, or multicounty office or ballot measure. The returns
1239 shall be filed no later than 3 p.m. on the 5th day after any
1240 primary election and no later than 3 p.m. on the 9th day after
1241 any general election in which a recount was ordered by the
1242 Secretary of State. If the canvassing board is unable to
1243 complete the recount prescribed in this subsection by the
1244 deadline, the second set of unofficial returns submitted by the
1245 canvassing board shall be identical to the initial unofficial
1246 returns and the submission shall also include a detailed
1247 explanation of why it was unable to timely complete the recount.
1248 However, the canvassing board shall complete the recount
1249 prescribed in this subsection, along with any manual recount
1250 prescribed in s. 102.166, and certify election returns in
1251 accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
1252 (d) The Department of State shall adopt detailed rules
1253 prescribing additional recount procedures for each certified
1254 voting system, which shall be uniform to the extent practicable.
1255 Section 24. Subsection (1) of section 102.166, Florida
1256 Statutes, is amended to read:
1257 102.166 Manual recounts of overvotes and undervotes.—
1258 (1) If the second set of unofficial returns pursuant to s.
1259 102.141 indicates that a candidate for any office was defeated
1260 or eliminated by one-quarter of a percent or less of the votes
1261 cast for such office, that a candidate for retention to a
1262 judicial office was retained or not retained by one-quarter of a
1263 percent or less of the votes cast on the question of retention,
1264 or that a measure appearing on the ballot was approved or
1265 rejected by one-quarter of a percent or less of the votes cast
1266 on such measure, a manual recount of the overvotes and
1267 undervotes cast in the entire geographic jurisdiction of such
1268 office or ballot measure must shall be ordered unless:
1269 (a) The candidate or candidates defeated or eliminated from
1270 contention by one-quarter of 1 percent or fewer of the votes
1271 cast for such office request in writing that a recount not be
1272 made; or
1273 (b) The number of overvotes and undervotes is fewer than
1274 the number of votes needed to change the outcome of the
1275 election.
1276
1277 The Secretary of State is responsible for ordering a manual
1278 recount for federal or, state races that are multicounty, and
1279 any other multicounty races. The county canvassing board or
1280 local board responsible for certifying the election is
1281 responsible for ordering a manual recount for all other races. A
1282 manual recount consists of a recount of marksense ballots or of
1283 digital images of those ballots by a person.
1284 Section 25. Effective July 1, 2026, section 104.042,
1285 Florida Statutes, is created to read:
1286 104.042 Time limitation; election fraud.—A prosecution for
1287 a felony violation under the Florida Election Code must be
1288 commenced within 5 years after the date the violation is
1289 committed.
1290 Section 26. Effective upon becoming a law, paragraph (a) of
1291 subsection (5) of section 105.031, Florida Statutes, is amended
1292 to read:
1293 105.031 Qualification; filing fee; candidate’s oath; items
1294 required to be filed.—
1295 (5) ITEMS REQUIRED TO BE FILED.—
1296 (a) In order for a candidate for judicial office or the
1297 office of school board member to be qualified, the following
1298 items must be received by the filing officer by the end of the
1299 qualifying period:
1300 1. Except for candidates for retention to judicial office,
1301 a properly executed check drawn upon the candidate’s campaign
1302 account in an amount not less than the fee required by
1303 subsection (3) or, in lieu thereof, the copy of the notice of
1304 obtaining ballot position pursuant to s. 105.035. If a
1305 candidate’s check is returned by the bank for any reason, the
1306 filing officer shall immediately notify the candidate and the
1307 candidate shall, the end of qualifying notwithstanding, have 48
1308 hours from the time such notification is received, excluding
1309 Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, to pay the fee with a
1310 cashier’s check purchased from funds of the campaign account.
1311 Failure to pay the fee as provided in this subparagraph shall
1312 disqualify the candidate.
1313 2. The candidate’s oath required by subsection (4), which
1314 must contain the name of the candidate as it is to appear on the
1315 ballot; the office sought, including the district or group
1316 number if applicable; and the signature of the candidate, duly
1317 acknowledged.
1318 3. The loyalty oath required by s. 876.05, signed by the
1319 candidate and duly acknowledged.
1320 4. The completed form for the appointment of campaign
1321 treasurer and designation of campaign depository, as required by
1322 s. 106.021. In addition, each candidate for judicial office,
1323 including an incumbent judge, shall file a statement with the
1324 qualifying officer, within 10 days after filing the appointment
1325 of campaign treasurer and designation of campaign depository,
1326 stating that the candidate has read and understands the
1327 requirements of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct. Such
1328 statement shall be in substantially the following form:
1329
1330 Statement of Candidate for Judicial Office
1331
1332 I, ...(name of candidate)..., a judicial candidate, have
1333 received, read, and understand the requirements of the Florida
1334 Code of Judicial Conduct.
1335 ...(Signature of candidate)...
1336 ...(Date)...
1337
1338 5. The full and public disclosure of financial interests
1339 required by s. 8, Art. II of the State Constitution or the
1340 statement of financial interests required by s. 112.3145,
1341 whichever is applicable. A public officer who has filed the full
1342 and public disclosure or statement of financial interests with
1343 the Commission on Ethics or the supervisor of elections prior to
1344 qualifying for office may file a copy of that disclosure at the
1345 time of qualifying.
1346 6. An oath or affirmation in writing that states whether
1347 the candidate is a citizen of another country in addition to
1348 being a citizen of the United States, and, if so, discloses any
1349 other country of which the candidate is also a citizen.
1350 Section 27. Effective upon becoming a law, subsection (3)
1351 is added to section 106.023, Florida Statutes, to read:
1352 106.023 Statement of candidate.—
1353 (3) At the time of filing the statement of candidacy, a
1354 candidate must also provide an oath or affirmation in writing
1355 that states that he or she meets, or will meet at the time of
1356 election for the office sought or at the time of assuming the
1357 office, as applicable, all statutory and constitutional
1358 qualifications for the office sought.
1359 Section 28. Effective July 1, 2026, subsection (12) of
1360 section 106.08, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1361 106.08 Contributions; limitations on.—
1362 (12)(a)1. For purposes of this subsection, the term
1363 “foreign national” means:
1364 a. A foreign government;
1365 b. A foreign political party;
1366 c. A foreign corporation, partnership, association,
1367 organization, or other combination of persons organized under
1368 the laws of or having its principal place of business in a
1369 foreign country;
1370 d. A person with foreign citizenship; or
1371 e. A person who is not a citizen or national of the United
1372 States and is not lawfully admitted to the United States for
1373 permanent residence.
1374 2. The term does not include:
1375 a. A person who is a dual citizen or dual national of the
1376 United States and a foreign country.
1377 b. A domestic subsidiary of a foreign corporation,
1378 partnership, association, organization, or other combination of
1379 persons organized under the laws of or having its principal
1380 place of business in a foreign country if:
1381 (I) The donations and disbursements used toward a
1382 contribution or an expenditure are derived entirely from funds
1383 generated by the subsidiary’s operations in the United States;
1384 and
1385 (II) All decisions concerning donations and disbursements
1386 used toward a contribution or an expenditure are made by
1387 individuals who either hold United States citizenship or are
1388 permanent residents of the United States. For purposes of this
1389 sub-sub-subparagraph, decisions concerning donations and
1390 disbursements do not include decisions regarding the
1391 subsidiary’s overall budget for contributions or expenditures in
1392 connection with an election.
1393 (b) A foreign national may not make or offer to make,
1394 directly or indirectly, a contribution or expenditure in
1395 connection with any election held in the state.
1396 (c) A political party, a political committee, an
1397 electioneering communications organization, or a candidate may
1398 not knowingly and willfully accept or solicit, directly or
1399 indirectly, a contribution from a foreign national in connection
1400 with any election held in this state.
1401 Section 29. Section 322.034, Florida Statutes, is created
1402 to read:
1403 322.034 Legal status designation on state-issued driver
1404 licenses and identification cards.—
1405 (1) By July 1, 2027, a Florida driver license or Florida
1406 identification card issued to a qualified applicant who is a
1407 United States citizen as last recorded in the system must
1408 include his or her legal citizenship status at the time of new
1409 issuance, renewal, or replacement.
1410 (2) Notwithstanding any other law, the department must, at
1411 no charge, issue a renewal or replacement driver license or
1412 identification card if a licensee or cardholder timely updates
1413 his or her legal status upon becoming a citizen of the United
1414 States as required in s. 322.19.
1415 Section 30. Effective July 1, 2026, paragraphs (a) and (d)
1416 of subsection (8) of section 895.02, Florida Statutes, are
1417 amended to read:
1418 895.02 Definitions.—As used in ss. 895.01-895.08, the term:
1419 (8) “Racketeering activity” means to commit, to attempt to
1420 commit, to conspire to commit, or to solicit, coerce, or
1421 intimidate another person to commit:
1422 (a) Any crime that is chargeable by petition, indictment,
1423 or information under the following provisions of the Florida
1424 Statutes:
1425 1. Section 104.155(2), relating to aiding or soliciting a
1426 noncitizen in voting.
1427 2. Section 104.185, s. 104.186, s. 104.187, or s. 104.188,
1428 relating to issue petition activities.
1429 3.2. Section 210.18, relating to evasion of payment of
1430 cigarette taxes.
1431 4.3. Section 316.1935, relating to fleeing or attempting to
1432 elude a law enforcement officer and aggravated fleeing or
1433 eluding.
1434 5.4. Chapter 379, relating to the illegal sale, purchase,
1435 collection, harvest, capture, or possession of wild animal life,
1436 freshwater aquatic life, or marine life, and related crimes.
1437 6.5. Section 403.727(3)(b), relating to environmental
1438 control.
1439 7.6. Section 409.920 or s. 409.9201, relating to Medicaid
1440 fraud.
1441 8.7. Section 414.39, relating to public assistance fraud.
1442 9.8. Section 440.105 or s. 440.106, relating to workers’
1443 compensation.
1444 10.9. Section 443.071(4), relating to creation of a
1445 fictitious employer scheme to commit reemployment assistance
1446 fraud.
1447 11.10. Section 465.0161, relating to distribution of
1448 medicinal drugs without a permit as an Internet pharmacy.
1449 12.11. Section 499.0051, relating to crimes involving
1450 contraband, adulterated, or misbranded drugs.
1451 13.12. Part IV of chapter 501, relating to telemarketing.
1452 14.13. Chapter 517, relating to sale of securities and
1453 investor protection.
1454 15.14. Section 550.235 or s. 550.3551, relating to
1455 dogracing and horseracing.
1456 16.15. Chapter 550, relating to jai alai frontons.
1457 17.16. Section 551.109, relating to slot machine gaming.
1458 18.17. Chapter 552, relating to the manufacture,
1459 distribution, and use of explosives.
1460 19.18. Chapter 560, relating to money transmitters, if the
1461 violation is punishable as a felony.
1462 20.19. Chapter 562, relating to beverage law enforcement.
1463 21.20. Section 624.401, relating to transacting insurance
1464 without a certificate of authority, s. 624.437(4)(c)1., relating
1465 to operating an unauthorized multiple-employer welfare
1466 arrangement, or s. 626.902(1)(b), relating to representing or
1467 aiding an unauthorized insurer.
1468 22.21. Section 655.50, relating to reports of currency
1469 transactions, when such violation is punishable as a felony.
1470 23.22. Chapter 687, relating to interest and usurious
1471 practices.
1472 24.23. Section 721.08, s. 721.09, or s. 721.13, relating to
1473 real estate timeshare plans.
1474 25.24. Section 775.13(5)(b), relating to registration of
1475 persons found to have committed any offense for the purpose of
1476 benefiting, promoting, or furthering the interests of a criminal
1477 gang.
1478 26.25. Section 777.03, relating to commission of crimes by
1479 accessories after the fact.
1480 27.26. Chapter 782, relating to homicide.
1481 28.27. Chapter 784, relating to assault and battery.
1482 29.28. Chapter 787, relating to kidnapping, human
1483 smuggling, or human trafficking.
1484 30.29. Chapter 790, relating to weapons and firearms.
1485 31.30. Chapter 794, relating to sexual battery, but only if
1486 such crime was committed with the intent to benefit, promote, or
1487 further the interests of a criminal gang, or for the purpose of
1488 increasing a criminal gang member’s own standing or position
1489 within a criminal gang.
1490 32.31. Former s. 796.03, former s. 796.035, s. 796.04, s.
1491 796.05, or s. 796.07, relating to prostitution.
1492 33.32. Chapter 806, relating to arson and criminal
1493 mischief.
1494 34.33. Chapter 810, relating to burglary and trespass.
1495 35.34. Chapter 812, relating to theft, robbery, and related
1496 crimes.
1497 36.35. Chapter 815, relating to computer-related crimes.
1498 37.36. Chapter 817, relating to fraudulent practices, false
1499 pretenses, fraud generally, credit card crimes, and patient
1500 brokering.
1501 38.37. Chapter 825, relating to abuse, neglect, or
1502 exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult.
1503 39.38. Section 827.071, relating to commercial sexual
1504 exploitation of children.
1505 40.39. Section 828.122, relating to fighting or baiting
1506 animals.
1507 41.40. Chapter 831, relating to forgery and counterfeiting.
1508 42.41. Chapter 832, relating to issuance of worthless
1509 checks and drafts.
1510 43.42. Section 836.05, relating to extortion.
1511 44.43. Chapter 837, relating to perjury.
1512 45.44. Chapter 838, relating to bribery and misuse of
1513 public office.
1514 46.45. Chapter 843, relating to obstruction of justice.
1515 47.46. Section 847.011, s. 847.012, s. 847.013, s. 847.06,
1516 or s. 847.07, relating to obscene literature and profanity.
1517 48.47. Chapter 849, relating to gambling, lottery, gambling
1518 or gaming devices, slot machines, or any of the provisions
1519 within that chapter.
1520 49.48. Chapter 874, relating to criminal gangs.
1521 50.49. Chapter 893, relating to drug abuse prevention and
1522 control.
1523 51.50. Chapter 896, relating to offenses related to
1524 financial transactions.
1525 52.51. Sections 914.22 and 914.23, relating to tampering
1526 with or harassing a witness, victim, or informant, and
1527 retaliation against a witness, victim, or informant.
1528 53.52. Sections 918.12, 918.125, and 918.13, relating to
1529 tampering with or harassing court official, retaliating against
1530 court official, and tampering with evidence.
1531 (d) A violation of the Florida Election Code relating to
1532 irregularities or fraud involving issue petition activities.
1533 Section 31. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1534 made by this act to section 98.075, Florida Statutes, in a
1535 reference thereto, subsection (6) of section 98.065, Florida
1536 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1537 98.065 Registration list maintenance programs.—
1538 (6) The supervisor shall, at a minimum, conduct an annual
1539 review of voter registration records to identify registration
1540 records in which a voter is registered at an address that may
1541 not be an address of legal residence for the voter. For those
1542 registration records with such addresses that the supervisor has
1543 reasonable belief are not legal residential addresses, the
1544 supervisor shall initiate list maintenance activities pursuant
1545 to s. 98.075(6) and (7).
1546 Section 32. For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
1547 made by this act to sections 99.061 and 105.031, Florida
1548 Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (1)
1549 of section 99.012, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1550 99.012 Restrictions on individuals qualifying for public
1551 office.—
1552 (1) As used in this section:
1553 (b) “Qualify” means to fulfill the requirements set forth
1554 in s. 99.061(7)(a) or s. 105.031(5)(a).
1555 Section 33. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
1556 made by this act to section 98.015, Florida Statutes, in a
1557 reference thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
1558 101.69, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1559 101.69 Voting in person; return of vote-by-mail ballot.—
1560 (2)(a) The supervisor shall allow an elector who has
1561 received a vote-by-mail ballot to physically return a voted
1562 vote-by-mail ballot to the supervisor by placing the return mail
1563 envelope containing his or her marked ballot in a secure ballot
1564 intake station. Secure ballot intake stations shall be placed at
1565 the main office of the supervisor, at each permanent branch
1566 office of the supervisor which meets the criteria set forth in
1567 s. 101.657(1)(a) for branch offices used for early voting and
1568 which is open for at least the minimum number of hours
1569 prescribed by s. 98.015(4), and at each early voting site.
1570 Secure ballot intake stations may also be placed at any other
1571 site that would otherwise qualify as an early voting site under
1572 s. 101.657(1). Secure ballot intake stations must be
1573 geographically located so as to provide all voters in the county
1574 with an equal opportunity to cast a ballot, insofar as is
1575 practicable. Except for secure ballot intake stations at an
1576 office of the supervisor, a secure ballot intake station may
1577 only be used during the county’s early voting hours of operation
1578 and must be monitored in person by an employee of the
1579 supervisor’s office. A secure ballot intake station at an office
1580 of the supervisor must be continuously monitored in person by an
1581 employee of the supervisor’s office when the secure ballot
1582 intake station is accessible for deposit of ballots.
1583 Section 34. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
1584 act and except for this section, which shall take effect upon
1585 this act becoming a law, this act shall take effect January 1,
1586 2027.
1587
1588 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
1589 And the title is amended as follows:
1590 Delete everything before the enacting clause
1591 and insert:
1592 A bill to be entitled
1593 An act relating to elections; amending s. 97.021,
1594 F.S.; revising definitions; defining the term
1595 “document acceptable as evidence of United States
1596 citizenship”; amending s. 97.052, F.S.; revising the
1597 information the uniform statewide voter registration
1598 application is designed to elicit from an applicant to
1599 include a certain acknowledgment; amending s. 97.0525,
1600 F.S.; requiring that the online voter registration
1601 system transmit specified information to the
1602 supervisor of elections under specified circumstances;
1603 requiring that the applicant’s legal status as a
1604 United States citizen be recorded in the statewide
1605 voter registration system; requiring that if the
1606 records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
1607 Vehicles indicate that an applicant is not a United
1608 States citizen or has not provided acceptable evidence
1609 of citizenship, the online voter registration system
1610 must notify the supervisor of the applicant’s legal
1611 status and transmit the application to the supervisor;
1612 providing that an applicant’s digital signature
1613 satisfies a certain requirement; providing that if an
1614 applicant’s name and date of birth cannot be verified,
1615 the system must populate certain information into a
1616 printable version of the registration application;
1617 requiring the applicant to print, complete, sign,
1618 date, and deliver such application to the supervisor;
1619 requiring that the online voter registration system
1620 populate an applicant’s information and direct the
1621 applicant to perform specified actions under specified
1622 conditions; conforming a cross-reference; amending s.
1623 97.053, F.S.; specifying that the registration date
1624 for certain valid applications is the date the
1625 application was initially received once certain
1626 evidence is verified; requiring an applicant to
1627 provide certain evidence to the supervisor of
1628 elections to prove the applicant’s legal status under
1629 specified circumstances; requiring supervisors to
1630 verify a voter’s legal status as a United States
1631 citizen using specified sources and initiate a certain
1632 notice if applicable; requiring that the voter’s legal
1633 status as United States citizen and the type of
1634 document accepted as evidence of United States
1635 citizenship be recorded in the statewide voter
1636 registration system; amending s. 97.057, F.S.;
1637 requiring that an agreement between the Department of
1638 Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Department
1639 of State match information regarding the citizenship
1640 status of voter registration applicants legal status
1641 as a United States citizen of applicants applying to
1642 vote; requiring the Department of State to include
1643 specified information in the statewide voter
1644 registration system; requiring the Department of
1645 Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to assist the
1646 Department of State in identifying certain changes in
1647 information for persons who may be voters; deleting a
1648 provision requiring the Department of State to report
1649 certain changes to supervisors; amending s. 98.015,
1650 F.S.; authorizing the office of the supervisor of
1651 elections to close to observe certain holidays under a
1652 specified condition; amending s. 98.045, F.S.;
1653 requiring supervisors to verify the current
1654 eligibility of certain applicants within a specified
1655 timeframe by reviewing specified information provided
1656 by governmental entities to make a determination under
1657 specified conditions; requiring the supervisor to deny
1658 the application and notify the applicant if a certain
1659 determination is made; amending s. 98.075, F.S.;
1660 requiring the Department of State to identify certain
1661 voters by comparing or receiving information from
1662 specified sources; requiring the Department of State
1663 to review such information and make an initial
1664 determination; requiring the department to notify the
1665 supervisor if certain information is credible and
1666 reliable and provide a copy of specified documentation
1667 to the supervisor; requiring the supervisor to adhere
1668 to specified procedures to remove the voter’s name
1669 from the statewide voter registration system;
1670 requiring the supervisor to record in the statewide
1671 voter registration system the type of document
1672 provided as evidence of United States citizenship;
1673 revising the notice provided to potentially ineligible
1674 voters to conform to changes made by the act; amending
1675 s. 98.093, F.S.; revising the information that the
1676 Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is
1677 required to furnish weekly to the Department of State;
1678 requiring the Department of State to report certain
1679 information to supervisors within a specified
1680 timeframe and for supervisors to update the voter
1681 registration records; requiring that the Department of
1682 State use certain information from federal jury
1683 coordinators to identify voters and applicants who are
1684 potentially ineligible; amending s. 99.021, F.S.;
1685 specifying that a person seeking to qualify for office
1686 as a candidate must be a registered member of a
1687 political party, or registered without any party
1688 affiliation, for 365 consecutive days preceding the
1689 beginning of the qualifying before an election;
1690 authorizing qualified candidates or certain political
1691 parties to challenge compliance with specified
1692 provisions by filing an action for declaratory and
1693 injunctive relief in a specified circuit court;
1694 prohibiting a person from being qualified as a
1695 candidate for nomination or election and appearing on
1696 the ballot under specified circumstances; providing
1697 that compliance with specified requirements is
1698 mandatory; authorizing qualified candidates or certain
1699 political parties to challenge compliance with
1700 specified provisions by filing an action for
1701 declaratory and injunctive relief in a specified
1702 circuit court; prohibiting a person from being
1703 qualified as a candidate for nomination or election
1704 and appearing on the ballot under specified
1705 circumstances; requiring a candidate for federal
1706 office to state in writing whether he or she intends
1707 to trade stocks in a certain manner while serving in
1708 federal office; creating s. 99.0211, F.S.; requiring
1709 that candidates be able to satisfy statutory and
1710 constitutional requirements for office; authorizing
1711 certain candidates, political parties, and affiliated
1712 party committees to challenge compliance with such
1713 requirements in a specified manner; providing that a
1714 person may not qualify as a candidate or appear on the
1715 ballot if the court makes a certain determination;
1716 providing that candidates, political parties, and
1717 affiliated party committees are entitled to expedited
1718 proceedings; requiring supervisors of elections to
1719 remove the names of certain candidates from the ballot
1720 or provide a certain notice to voters; amending s.
1721 99.061, F.S.; revising the list of items a candidate
1722 must submit to the filing officer to be a qualified
1723 candidate to include certain oaths or affirmations;
1724 amending s. 101.043, F.S.; revising the forms of
1725 identification required to be provided at polls;
1726 amending ss. 101.048, 101.151, and 101.5606, F.S.;
1727 conforming provisions to changes made by the act;
1728 amending s. 101.56075, F.S.; requiring that all voting
1729 be done by official ballot using certain pens;
1730 providing an exception; amending s. 101.5608, F.S.;
1731 deleting the requirement that the stub be removed from
1732 the ballot and placed in an envelope; conforming
1733 provisions to changes made by the act; amending ss.
1734 101.5612, 101.68, and 101.6923, F.S.; conforming
1735 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
1736 102.111, F.S.; revising the meeting times of the
1737 Elections Canvassing Commission to certify elections
1738 returns; amending s. 102.141, F.S.; revising
1739 requirements for canvassing of ballots; requiring that
1740 supervisors upload certain results by a specified
1741 local time; requiring the supervisors, on behalf of
1742 the canvassing boards, to report all early voting and
1743 all tabulated vote-by-mail ballots to the department;
1744 requiring that updated precinct election results be
1745 uploaded to the department; conforming provisions to
1746 changes made by the act; amending s. 102.166, F.S.;
1747 conforming provisions to changes made by the act;
1748 creating s. 104.042, F.S.; requiring that certain
1749 prosecutions be commenced within a specified timeframe
1750 after a specified violation is committed; amending s.
1751 105.031, F.S.; requiring certain candidates to provide
1752 to the filing officer a statement disclosing dual
1753 citizenship for nomination and election to a judicial
1754 office or to a district school board; amending s.
1755 106.023, F.S.; requiring a candidate to provide a
1756 certain oath or affirmation in writing at the time of
1757 filing his or her statement of candidacy; amending s.
1758 106.08, F.S.; prohibiting political parties, political
1759 committees, electioneering communications
1760 organizations, and candidates from knowingly and
1761 willfully accepting or soliciting contributions from
1762 foreign nationals in connection with elections;
1763 creating s. 322.034, F.S.; requiring, by a specified
1764 date, that Florida driver licenses and Florida
1765 identification cards issued to qualified applicants
1766 include the legal citizenship status of the applicant
1767 on the license or card; requiring the Department of
1768 Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to issue, at no
1769 charge, renewal or replacement Florida driver licenses
1770 and Florida identification cards to certain licensees
1771 and cardholders; amending s. 895.02, F.S.; revising
1772 the definition of the term “racketeering activity”;
1773 reenacting s. 98.065(6), F.S., relating to
1774 registration list maintenance programs, to incorporate
1775 the amendment made to s. 98.075, F.S., in a reference
1776 thereto; reenacting s. 99.012(1)(b), F.S., relating to
1777 definition of the term “qualify,” to incorporate the
1778 amendments made to ss. 99.061 and 105.031, F.S., in
1779 references thereto; reenacting s. 101.69(2)(a), F.S.,
1780 relating to the offices of the supervisor of elections
1781 being open during elections to receive vote-by-mail
1782 ballots in secure ballot intake stations, to
1783 incorporate the amendment made to s. 98.015, F.S., in
1784 a reference thereto; providing effective dates.