summary
Introduced
12/02/2025
12/02/2025
In Committee
12/12/2025
12/12/2025
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 hb597-00 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, introducing several key changes to the election process. The bill requires the Governor to call a special primary and special election within 14 days after a vacancy occurs, and mandates consultation with the Secretary of State and local supervisors of elections when setting election dates. The bill specifies that these dates must be the earliest feasible dates, with at least 8 weeks but no more than 12 weeks between the special primary and special election. If the Governor fails to set election dates, qualified electors can petition a circuit court to determine the election dates, and the court is required to expedite such proceedings. The bill also provides exceptions to the standard timeline, such as allowing elections up to 175 days after a vacancy if holding an earlier election would cause undue hardship for election administrators. Additionally, the bill removes previous provisions that allowed legislative leaders to waive election timing requirements and adds a provision that if only one candidate qualifies for a special election, that candidate is automatically deemed elected. The changes aim to provide more clarity and efficiency in filling electoral vacancies, ensuring timely representation while allowing some flexibility for practical election administration.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/597 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/597/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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