Bill > S1414

Introduced Session

An act relating to elections; amending s. 15.21, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; amending s. 16.061, F.S.; revising the criteria that the Attorney General uses when petitioning the Supreme Court for an advisory opinion related to a proposed revision or amendment to the State Constitution; amending s. 97.012, F.S.; revising a provision requiring that the Secretary of State provide certain mandatory signature matching training; amending s. 97.021, F.S.; deleting the definition of the term “petition circulator”; revising definitions; amending s. 97.022, F.S.; revising the authority and responsibilities of the Office of Election Crimes and Security; authorizing the office to issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum to bring any person before certain representatives and require the production of specified records; authorizing the office to file a complaint in circuit court to enforce such subpoenas; requiring the court to direct the witness to comply with the subpoena or punish the witness accordingly; providing an exception; requiring sheriffs to serve and execute all process associated with such action; requiring the office to pay the sheriffs for such service; authorizing the office to adopt rules; creating s. 97.027, F.S.; requiring specified persons to undergo signature matching training; requiring the Department of State to adopt certain rules; amending s. 97.051, F.S.; revising the oath a person registering to vote must subscribe to; amending s. 97.0525, F.S.; requiring that the online voter registration system generate a certain notice under a specified circumstance; amending s. 97.053, F.S.; requiring supervisors of elections to update a voter’s record if provided specified information by the applicant after registration; providing that such updates are retroactive to the date the application was received; requiring an applicant to provide evidence to the supervisor sufficient to prove the applicant’s legal status as a United States citizen under specified circumstances; requiring the supervisor to place such applicant on the voter rolls under a specified circumstance; authorizing an applicant that has not provided such evidence to vote a provisional ballot; providing that such ballot may be counted only if the applicant can verify his or her legal status within a specified timeframe; revising the timeframe after receipt in which a voter registration official must enter the voter registration applications into the system; amending s. 97.057, F.S.; requiring the Department of State to provide certain information to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; requiring the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to assist the Department of State with identifying changes in residential addresses in accordance with a specified provision; amending s. 97.0575, F.S.; requiring third party voter registration organizations to deliver voter registration applications to the supervisor of the county, rather than the division, in which the voter resides under specified circumstances; providing civil penalties; amending s. 97.1031, F.S.; deleting a provision authorizing a voter to change his or her address by submitting other signed written notice; revising the timeframe in which a voter registration official must make necessary changes to a voter’s records to within 7 days after receipt; amending s. 98.015, F.S.; requiring that the main and permanent branch offices of the supervisor be open for specified times and days; requiring supervisors to provide a list identifying nonresidential addresses in a specified manner; amending s. 98.045, F.S.; requiring supervisors to make a certain determination within a specified timeframe related to a voter registration applicant who was previously removed for ineligibility and to follow specified procedures to notify the applicant, if applicable; requiring supervisors to remove the name of a voter who subsequently registers in another state to vote within a specified timeframe of receipt of such information; amending s. 98.065, F.S.; authorizing supervisors to use certain credible and reliable sources of commercially available data to compare certain records and conduct address list maintenance; amending s. 98.075, F.S.; authorizing the Department of State to enter into memorandums of understanding with other state governments and share confidential and exempt information with such governments; requiring that such governments maintain the confidentiality of such information; requiring the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to provide driver license and Florida identification card information to such governments; requiring supervisors to remove the name of a deceased voter under specified circumstances; creating s. 98.094, F.S.; requiring that lists of registered voters be provided to federal courts for a specified purpose under a certain condition; requiring federal jury coordinators to prepare or cause to be prepared a certain list; requiring that such list be sent to the Division of Elections periodically; requiring that jury coordinators provide the division with specified information about each disqualified juror; requiring the supervisor to use such list to conduct list maintenance or eligibility maintenance procedures; amending s. 98.212, F.S.; requiring supervisors to provide information as may be requested by the Department of State and to the Legislature; authorizing the department to adopt rules; amending s. 99.012, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; amending s. 99.021, F.S.; authorizing qualified candidates and political parties with such candidates to challenge another candidate’s compliance with a specified oath in a certain circuit court; prohibiting a person from qualifying as a candidate and appearing on the ballot if a court order becomes final and makes certain determinations; amending s. 99.061, F.S.; revising the periods in which a person may qualify as a candidate; revising the qualifying period for federal offices following reapportionment; authorizing candidates for constitutional office to file a certain receipt or verification in lieu of filing a full and public disclosure of financial interests and all other candidates to instead file a certain receipt or verification of filing a statement of financial interests for qualifying only; requiring the department to process qualifying papers within a specified timeframe; providing that a cashier’s check purchased from the candidate’s campaign account may be used to pay the qualifying fee; specifying that a candidate has a specified timeframe to pay the qualifying fee under specified circumstances; specifying that a certain form does not need to be re submitted under certain circumstances; amending s. 99.092, F.S.; requiring the Division of Elections to create a uniform petition form for candidates to gather signatures for a candidate petition; requiring that the form solicit specified information; requiring that the form include a certain notice; amending s. 99.095, F.S.; authorizing a supervisor of elections to verify certain signatures only if a certain petition form is used; amending s. 99.097, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; requiring that a signature on a petition be verified if the voter is active; prohibiting a supervisor from updating a voter’s address on file under a certain circumstance; authorizing a candidate in a candidate contest to contest signature verification of his or her opponent in such contest, and the chairperson of the political committee that sponsors or the chairperson of a political committee that opposes an issue in an issue contest to contest signature verification of such issue; revising the procedures to contest signature verifications; amending s. 100.191, F.S.; providing that all laws that apply to primary and general elections apply to special primary and special elections; requiring the Elections Canvassing Commission to certify results in accordance with a specified provision; amending s. 100.371, F.S.; requiring sponsors of an initiative amendment to register as political committees before circulating any initiative petition forms to voters; deleting obsolete language; requiring the division to assign initiative petitions a petition number and create a certain form; providing requirements for such form; requiring that the form contain a certain notice; deleting provisions relating to citizen challenges of petition circulator registration; deleting provisions relating to applications for registration of a petition circulator; requiring the division to adopt rules; deleting provisions requiring certain sponsors to submit signed and dated forms; specifying conditions for signatures on a form to be verified as valid by a supervisor; requiring the supervisor to retain signed petition forms instead of signature forms in a specified manner; requiring the supervisor to transmit copies of such signed petition forms promptly to the division upon request; requiring the supervisors of elections to post the actual cost of signature verification on their websites annually on a specified date; specifying that such costs include costs related to certain actions; requiring the Secretary of State to rescind a certificate of ballot position under specified conditions; authorizing any voter to challenge the issuance of certificates of ballot position; providing the process for such challenges; requiring the Secretary of State to submit a copy of initiative petitions to a specified panel; requiring the panel to complete a financial impact statement; requiring the panel to submit such statement to the Secretary of State; providing that the panel is not required to complete the statement under specified circumstances; deleting obsolete language; requiring that meetings of the panel be open to the public; requiring that the panel submit the financial impact statement to the Secretary of State immediately; authorizing the panel to redraft the statement within a specified timeframe; requiring the disclosure of certain material legal effects; conforming cross-references; requiring the panel to draft a certain initiative financial information statement; requiring the Secretary of State to make such statement available on his or her website; creating s. 100.373, F.S.; defining the term “circulated petition form”; authorizing voters to submit signed circulated petition forms at any office of the supervisor of elections in the county in which the voter is registered to vote; providing that a circulated petition form is valid only if the supervisor verifies specified information; requiring a voter to present a certain current and valid form of picture identification to the supervisor; requiring the supervisor to deem the petition submitted if the information on such identification matches the form and the person matches the identification produced; requiring supervisors to verify that the voter’s signature on the circulated petition form matches the voter’s signature on file in the Florida Voter Registration System; creating s. 100.375, F.S.; defining the term “requested petition form”; requiring supervisors to accept requests for a petition form from a voter or, if instructed, the voter’s immediate family or legal guardian; providing that requests may be made in person, in writing, by telephone, or through the supervisor’s website; requiring supervisors to cancel requests under specified conditions; providing that requests for petition forms may be mailed to certain addresses; requiring the voter, or his or her designee, to provide certain information for in-person or telephonic requests; requiring that requests be in writing if the petition form is to be mailed to an address other than one on file; providing requirements for such written requests; requiring the division to create a uniform application to request petition forms; requiring that such applications solicit and require specified information; defining the term “immediate family”; requiring the supervisor to record certain information and provide it in a specified format; defining the term “petition deadline”; requiring the supervisor to mail petition forms within specified timeframes; providing a deadline to request petition forms; requiring supervisors to provide a petition form by one of the means specified; prohibiting persons from picking up more than a specified number of petition forms; providing exceptions; requiring the supervisor to mail a certain notice in a specified circumstance; providing that only the materials necessary to submit a petition form be mailed or delivered; prohibiting a supervisor from sending a petition form to someone who did not request one; requiring the supervisor to enclose a certain mailing envelope with petition forms; requiring that such envelopes contain a certain voter’s certificate; specifying the placement of the voter’s certificate on the envelope; requiring that certain instructions be enclosed with each petition; providing construction; providing legislative intent; requiring the Department of State to work with specified entitles to develop and implement procedures and technologies to make petition forms available in alternative formats; providing that requested petition forms are only valid if the supervisor verifies certain information; prohibiting an otherwise valid petition from being invalidated due to the voter’s death after submission of such form; creating s. 100.377, F.S.; providing that initiative petition forms approved by the Secretary of State may continue to be circulated; providing that certain initiative petitions or candidate petitions may be kept and counted under specified conditions; providing applicability; amending s. 101.043, F.S.; revising the forms of current and valid picture identifications that a voter must provide upon entering the polling place; amending s. 101.048, F.S.; revising the instructions that are included with cure affidavits to conform to changes made by the act; amending s. 101.111, F.S.; authorizing registered voters or election officials of a county acting in their official capacity to challenge at the polls or during early voting the right of a person to vote in the county; requiring separate oaths for each challenge; revising the oath required of a person entering challenges; providing the oath an election official must use if asserting the ineligibility of a voter; requiring that the oath be delivered to the clerk or inspector under specified circumstances; requiring such clerk or inspector to deliver such oath immediately to the challenged person; revising a provision providing that such person may cast a provisional ballot; deleting an exception to casting such provisional ballot; authorizing challenges to be made in advance within a specified timeframe before an election by delivering an oath to the supervisor’s office; requiring the supervisor to notify, as soon as practicable, a challenged voter by specified means; requiring that the oath be sent to early voting sites or the voter’s precinct in the event such voter appears in person to vote; requiring that certain ballots be canvassed as provisional ballots; requiring that certain persons be allowed to execute a change of legal residence to be able to vote a regular ballot; requiring that such persons be allowed to vote a regular ballot if the change of legal residence is properly registered; requiring that certain voters be directed to the proper precinct to vote; providing that certain voters are required to vote a provisional ballot; amending s. 101.131, F.S.; requiring that poll watchers be qualified and registered voters of the county in which they serve and complete a required training; requiring the Department of State to provide such training; requiring that poll watchers be allowed to observe and report on irregularities in the conduct of the election and enter and watch polls under a specified condition; prohibiting such poll watchers from interfering with the conduct of the election; requiring that the form that designates poll watchers include specified information; requiring that poll watchers be given identification badges that include certain information; authorizing the department to adopt rules; amending s. 101.151, F.S.; specifying that, in presidential preference primaries only, the office title may be placed above the list of names on the ballot for that office; specifying that, in a primary election only, the office title of Governor shall be placed above the names of the candidates for such office regardless of whether a Lieutenant Governor is designated; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 101.161, F.S.; requiring that constitutional amendments define all terms of art and describe newly created rights, requirements, prohibitions, and authorizations; amending the inclusions on the ballot for every constitutional amendment proposed by initiative to conform to changes made by the act; conforming a cross-reference; amending s. 101.20, F.S.; deleting provisions requiring that sample ballots be furnished to each polling place, in a specified form, be open to inspection by all electors, and a sufficient number of reduced-size ballots to be given out to electors; requiring the supervisor to publish sample ballots in a certain newspaper, through the supervisor’s website, or on the county’s website; requiring that such publication occur within a specified timeframe; authorizing the supervisor to send sample ballots to registered voters by specified means; requiring sample ballots to be available in all polling places for specified purpose; authorizing a sample ballot to be in the format of an official ballot but must indicate it is a sample; amending s. 101.252, F.S.; providing applicability; creating s. 101.2521, F.S.; requiring that candidates be placed on the general ballot for certain elections held under specified circumstances; amending s. 101.5606, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 101.56075, F.S.; requiring that locations where voting takes place have certain voting machines available; specifying the default voting method; requiring that a certain device be provided if requested by a voter; amending s. 101.5608, F.S.; requiring the inspector to follow specified procedures before allowing a person to vote in specified circumstances; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 101.5612, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 101.5614, F.S.; requiring that after a defective ballot is duplicated, both ballots be placed in an certain envelope and presented to the canvassing board for review; amending s. 101.572, F.S.; authorizing certain candidates, political party officials, and political committee officials, or any designee thereof, to object to the canvassing board’s determination of voter intent; amending s. 101.591, F.S.; deleting provisions instructing how to perform a manual audit; requiring the county canvassing board or local board responsible for certifying an election to conduct an independent vote validation of voting systems used in all precincts; providing the procedure for such independent vote validation; deleting provisions related to independent audits; requiring that the canvassing board publish certain notice on the county’s website, on the supervisor’s website, or in certain newspapers; requiring that such vote validation be completed before the certification of the election; requiring the county canvassing board or local board responsible for the election to provide a certain consolidated report; providing the requirements of such report; deleting a provision that allowed a manual recount to take the place of a certain audit; amending s. 101.5911, F.S.; requiring the department to adopt certain rules; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 101.595, F.S.; requiring the department to submit the analysis of a certain report as part of a specified consolidated report to the Governor and the Legislature annually by a specified date; amending s. 101.6104, F.S.; making technical changes; amending s. 101.62, F.S.; requiring a voter to initiate the request for a vote-by-mail ballot from the supervisor; requiring such voter to use the paper or online version of the uniform statewide application to make a written request for a vote-by-mail ballot; requiring the supervisor to record certain information after receiving such request; revising the timeframes during which vote-by-mail ballots are provided to voters; amending s. 101.64, F.S.; providing that the supervisor may include a secrecy envelope or privacy sleeve with vote-by-mail ballots; amending s. 101.657, F.S.; authorizing, rather than requiring, that early voting be provided by a supervisor; revising the number of early voting sites the supervisor may designate per election area; authorizing the supervisor to obtain a waiver for the number of sites designated as early voting sites under a specified circumstance; deleting authorization for a supervisor to provide early voting in excess of what is required; amending s. 101.68, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 101.69, F.S.; deleting a requirement that secure ballot intake stations be located at each permanent branch that meets certain criteria; requiring that such intake stations be located at each designated early voting site; requiring that all secure ballot intake stations be continuously monitored; requiring the department to adopt rules; amending s. 101.6921, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 101.6923, F.S.; revising the instructions sent to certain first-time voters to conform to changes made by the act; amending s. 101.6952, F.S.; providing that if a ballot is transmitted via facsimile it must be received by a specified time on election day; amending s. 101.694, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; amending s. 101.697, F.S.; requiring the department to adopt certain rules related to electronic transmission of election materials to specified voters; amending s. 101.698, F.S.; authorizing the department to adopt emergency rules in specified circumstances; amending s. 102.031, F.S.; prohibiting videography and other visual and audio recording in polling rooms or early voting areas; providing an exception; amending s. 102.141, F.S.; revising the composition of county canvassing boards; prohibiting persons who publicly endorse or donate to candidates or are active participants endorsing or opposing a public measure from serving on county canvassing boards; requiring members of a county canvassing board and all clerical help to wear, at specified times, identification badges in a certain manner and which include specified information; requiring a county canvassing board to retain the county attorney for any legal representation; authorizing such board to retain outside legal counsel under specified conditions; specifying that the deadline by which supervisors shall upload preliminary results is in local time; requiring the supervisor on behalf of the county canvassing board to report all early voting and vote by-mail tabulations to the department; requiring counties to conduct a machine vote validation process for a certain purpose after unofficial results are reported; requiring that such process be completed within a specified timeframe; requiring the county canvassing board to take specified actions after making a certain determination; requiring the county canvassing board to conduct manual reviews under specified circumstances; providing requirements for such review; deleting provisions related to recounts by the county canvassing board; requiring the county canvassing board to publish notice containing manual review information by specified means; providing that such reviews are open to the public; requiring the county canvassing board to submit to the department certain forms containing a vote validation report; providing requirements for such report; requiring the county canvassing board to conduct manual reviews in accordance with specified provisions; requiring the department to adopt rules; creating s. 102.143, F.S.; requiring the supervisor to file a report with the division on the conduct on the election within a specified timeframe; providing requirements for the report; requiring the supervisor to notify the Division of Elections of new information and file an amended report including such information, if applicable, within a specified timeframe; requiring the division to maintain such reports on file and make them available for public inspection; requiring the division to review the reports for a specified purpose; providing that the report is part of a certain consolidated report submitted by the department by a specified date each year following a general election; amending s. 102.166, F.S.; requiring manual reviews of overvotes and undervotes unless certain conditions exist; requiring that overvotes and undervotes be identified and sorted during the vote validation process; providing that the secretary is responsible for ordering such review in federal, state, or multicounty races and the county canvassing board, or local board responsible for certifying the election, is responsible for ordering such reviews in all other races; authorizing political parties to designate a certain expert to be allowed in the central counting room while tests are being performed; prohibiting such person from interfering with the normal operation of the canvassing board; conforming a cross-reference; requiring the department to adopt certain rules; amending s. 103.021, F.S.; revising the deadline by which political parties must submit their list of presidential electors to the Governor; requiring the state executive committees of the political parties to certify to the Governor certain information relating to such electors within a specified timeframe; providing requirements for such certification; revising the deadline by which the Governor certifies political party submissions to the Department of State; requiring candidates to submit certain information concerning presidential electors to the department before a specified date and time; amending s. 103.121, F.S.; requiring that the funds and certain records of state executive committees be audited by a certified public accountant; amending s. 104.045, F.S.; providing criminal penalties for a person who submits a petition form or refrains from submitting a petition form for any initiative or candidate petition due to a corrupt offer or the acceptance of a pecuniary or other benefit; amending s. 104.047, F.S.; prohibiting specified entities from further forwarding official vote-by-mail ballots or envelopes; providing criminal penalties; providing criminal penalties for persons who physically collect requests for vote-by-mail ballots and copies or retains the requests, or copies and retains the voter’s personal information; repealing s. 104.186, F.S., relating to violations concerning initiative petitions; amending s. 104.187, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; repealing s. 105.09, F.S., relating to political activity in behalf of a candidate for judicial office limited; amending s. 106.021, F.S.; prohibiting a candidate from appointing himself, herself, or immediate family as the treasurer of the campaign; amending s. 106.07, F.S.; requiring a candidate to file an affidavit with the officer before whom the candidate is required to qualify under specified circumstances within a specified timeframe; deeming filings as timely filed if filed in a certain manner; providing that such affidavits are open to public inspection; providing construction; providing a civil penalty for candidates who file affidavits late; amending s. 106.08, F.S.; revising the definition of the term “foreign national”; revising the contributions or expenditures that a foreign national is prohibited from making or offering to make; prohibiting political parties, political committees, committees associated with ballot issues or questions, electioneering communications organizations, and candidates from knowingly accepting contributions from foreign nationals; providing criminal penalties; providing for enhancement of criminal penalties on subsequent offenses; providing civil penalties; amending s. 106.087, F.S.; conforming a cross reference; amending s. 106.19, F.S.; deleting a provision relating to violations by political committees for using petition circulators; repealing s. 113.01, F.S., relating to fees for commissions issued by Governor; repealing s. 113.02, F.S., relating to fees to be paid before commissions issued; repealing s. 113.03, F.S., relating to disposition of certain proceeds; amending s. 113.051, F.S.; prohibiting the issuance of certain commissions until the oath of office is filed; amending s. 212.055, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; creating s. 322.034, F.S.; requiring that driver licenses and Florida identification cards include certain information; providing that applicants providing certain documentation may not be charged a fee for renewal; requiring that the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles comply with specified provisions by a specified date; amending s. 895.02, F.S.; revising the definition of “racketeering activity” to include violations of the Florida Election Code for the purposes of providing criminal penalties; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; providing effective dates.

AI Summary

Blaise Ingoglia (R)*,  Jay Collins (R), 

Died in Ethics and Elections, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 1205 (Ch. 2025-21) (on 06/16/2025)

Official Document