summary
Introduced
11/12/2025
11/12/2025
In Committee
12/01/2025
12/01/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to special elections; amending s. 100.111, F.S.; revising the timeframe during which a vacancy that occurs in an elective office must be filled by candidates qualifying within the timeframes provided by general law; requiring, rather than authorizing, the Governor to call a special primary election and a special election under a certain circumstance; requiring the Governor to fix the dates of a special election within a specified timeframe after the vacancy occurs; requiring the Governor to consult with the Secretary of State and the applicable supervisor of elections before setting the special election dates; requiring that such dates be the earliest dates feasible; revising and providing timeframes for special primary elections and special elections under certain circumstances; authorizing qualified electors to file a petition in the circuit court seeking judicial determination of an election date under specified conditions; providing that, under specified circumstances, the court has the authority to fix and declare the dates for a special election; requiring the courts to expedite such proceedings; providing exceptions to the timeframes to hold a special election; deleting the authority of the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to waive specified timeframes if all parties concur; requiring the Governor to fix dates to coincide with an already scheduled election; requiring that special elections to fill certain vacancies be held no later than the election for which a resigning officer seeks to qualify; providing that certain persons are deemed elected under specified circumstances; making technical changes; amending s. 100.141, F.S.; requiring the Governor to consult with certain supervisors of election, in addition to the Secretary of State, before issuing an order declaring the date of a special election; requiring that such order be issued within a specified timeframe after the occurrence of a vacancy; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Florida's laws regarding special elections to fill vacancies in elected offices, primarily focusing on streamlining and standardizing the process for calling and conducting these elections. The bill requires the Governor to call special primary and special elections within 14 days after a vacancy occurs, mandating consultation with the Secretary of State and local election supervisors to set the earliest feasible dates. The legislation introduces new provisions allowing qualified voters to petition a circuit court to set election dates if the Governor fails to do so, and establishes specific timelines for holding special elections, generally requiring them to be completed within 126 days of the vacancy (with possible extensions to 175 days under certain circumstances). The bill also includes provisions for situations where only one candidate qualifies, deeming that candidate automatically elected, and removes previous language that allowed legislative leaders to waive election timing requirements. Additionally, the bill requires that special elections, when possible, coincide with already scheduled elections and mandates that special elections to fill a vacancy caused by a resignation must be held no later than the election for which the resigning officer seeks to qualify. The changes aim to provide more clarity, consistency, and efficiency in the process of filling vacant elected positions in Florida.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Now in Rules (on 02/11/2026)
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/2026/460 |
| Analysis - Judiciary (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/460/Analyses/2026s00460.ju.PDF |
| Analysis - Judiciary (Pre-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/460/Analyses/2026s00460.pre.ju.PDF |
| Analysis - Ethics and Elections (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/460/Analyses/2026s00460.ee.PDF |
| Analysis - Ethics and Elections (Pre-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/460/Analyses/2026s00460.pre.ee.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/460/BillText/Filed/HTML |
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