summary
Introduced
02/27/2025
02/27/2025
In Committee
03/05/2025
03/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to elections impacted by emergencies; providing a short title; amending s. 101.733, F.S.; requiring notice of certain delayed or suspended elections to be published on the website of an affected municipality; requiring affected Supervisors of Elections to notify voters of a delayed or suspended election through any available and regular means of communication; providing that an elections emergency contingency plan is a public record and must be presented to the Legislature in certain years; requiring the Secretary of State to proactively consult with specified entities to ensure all voters are able to participate in an election affected by an emergency; providing rights each voter has with respect to participating in an election in a county that has been designated as being in a state of emergency or eligible for individual or public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); requiring the Division of Elections to take certain actions if an election is scheduled within a certain timeframe after a county has been designated as being in a state of emergency or eligible for individual or public assistance from FEMA; requiring the Division of Elections to maintain a certain number of strategic elections equipment reserves in certain areas of this state; authorizing the division to contract with state-approved vendors for the provision of such reserve equipment; requiring certain equipment be included in the reserve equipment; requiring election officials to take certain actions if a county has been designated as being in a state of emergency or eligible for individual or public assistance from FEMA; requiring counties and municipalities affected by an emergency to provide specified information on their websites; specifying that certain criminal penalties do not apply if a county has been designated as being in a state of emergency or eligible for individual or public assistance from FEMA; providing applicability; amending s. 101.62, F.S.; prohibiting a Supervisor of Elections from requiring certain voters to use a uniform statewide application for a vote-by-mail ballot; amending ss. 101.657, 102.141, and 104.0616, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "Disaster-Affected Voter Bill of Rights," establishes comprehensive guidelines for conducting elections in counties experiencing emergencies, such as those declared by the Governor or receiving FEMA assistance. The bill provides extensive protections and flexibilities for voters in emergency-impacted areas, including the right to request vote-by-mail ballots to alternative addresses, have ballots forwarded, return ballots to any county election office, and cure ballot signature issues. The Division of Elections must create special website resources, provide emergency funding, extend early voting hours, and update emergency response websites with clear, user-friendly voting information. The bill requires the Secretary of State to proactively consult with various agencies to ensure voter participation, mandates that counties and municipalities update their websites with election information, and allows election officials to implement alternative voting methods like mobile polling locations and expanded secure ballot intake stations. Additionally, the bill requires the Division of Elections to maintain strategic election equipment reserves across the state and provides some criminal penalty exemptions for ballot handling during emergencies. The legislation aims to ensure that voters can effectively participate in the electoral process despite challenging circumstances caused by natural disasters or other emergencies.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (5)
Lindsay Cross (D)*,
LaVon Bracy Davis (D),
Daryl Campbell (D),
Fentrice Driskell (D),
Rita Harris (D),
Last Action
Died in Government Operations Subcommittee (on 06/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1317 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1317/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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