Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Elections bill (HB 991), also known as the Florida SAVE Act, into law on April 1, enacting new requirements for voter registration that focus on verifying U.S. citizenship.The law revises the statewide voter registration application to include an acknowledgment of U.S. citizenship. It mandates that an applicant’s legal status as a U.S. citizen be recorded in the statewide voter registration system. Supervisors of elections are required to verify a voter’s citizenship status using specified sources.If Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles records indicate an applicant is not a U.S. citizen or has not provided acceptable evidence, the online registration system must notify the supervisor of elections and transmit the application.Gov. DeSantis said the law will protect the voting registration process. However, multiple pro-voting groups expressed concerns about the law’s implications.The Florida law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, with some provisions taking effect immediately.The Florida measure comes amid a national debate over proof-of-citizenship voting requirements, including the proposed federal SAVE America Act currently being debated in the Senate. Critics of such measures argue that they create an undue burden for many voters who may lack readily accessible proof of citizenship documents.>> The Associated Press contributed to this reporting.
THE VILLAGES, FL, USA —
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Elections bill (HB 991), also known as the Florida SAVE Act, into law on April 1, enacting new requirements for voter registration that focus on verifying U.S. citizenship.
The law revises the statewide voter registration application to include an acknowledgment of U.S. citizenship. It mandates that an applicant’s legal status as a U.S. citizen be recorded in the statewide voter registration system. Supervisors of elections are required to verify a voter’s citizenship status using specified sources.
If Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles records indicate an applicant is not a U.S. citizen or has not provided acceptable evidence, the online registration system must notify the supervisor of elections and transmit the application.
Gov. DeSantis said the law will protect the voting registration process. However, multiple pro-voting groups expressed concerns about the law’s implications.
The Florida law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, with some provisions taking effect immediately.
The Florida measure comes amid a national debate over proof-of-citizenship voting requirements, including the proposed federal SAVE America Act currently being debated in the Senate. Critics of such measures argue that they create an undue burden for many voters who may lack readily accessible proof of citizenship documents.
>> The Associated Press contributed to this reporting.