summary
Introduced
10/06/2025
10/06/2025
In Committee
02/25/2026
02/25/2026
Crossed Over
02/26/2026
02/26/2026
Passed
04/01/2026
04/01/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/02/2026
04/02/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to candidate qualification; amending s. 99.021, F.S.; specifying that a person seeking to qualify for office as a candidate must be a registered member of a political party, or registered without any party affiliation, for 365 consecutive days preceding the beginning of qualifying for an election; specifying that such person may not have legally changed his or her name through a specified petition during such 365-day period; providing applicability; providing that compliance with specified requirements is mandatory; providing construction; authorizing qualified candidates or certain political parties to challenge compliance with specified provisions by filing suit in a specified circuit court; prohibiting a person from being qualified as a candidate for nomination or election and appearing on the ballot under specified circumstances; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill requires individuals seeking to qualify as candidates for elected office to have been registered with a political party, or registered as unaffiliated with any party, for 365 consecutive days immediately before the start of the qualifying period for an election. Additionally, during that same 365-day period, candidates are prohibited from having legally changed their name through a formal petition process, with exceptions for name changes related to divorce, adoption, or marriage. The bill establishes that these requirements are mandatory and outlines a legal process for qualified candidates or political parties to challenge a candidate's compliance by filing a lawsuit in circuit court, which could result in the candidate being disqualified and their name removed from the ballot if the court finds a violation.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Other Sponsors (1)
Government Operations Subcommittee (House)
Last Action
Chapter No. 2026-25 (on 04/02/2026)
Bill Topics
Civil Rights, Minority Issues, and Civil Liberties
- ‐ Voting Rights and Issues
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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