TALLAHASSEE \u2013 Florida voters could be required to prove their citizenship at the ballot box, but not until after the 2026 elections, under a bill headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis.<\/p>\n
The House on Thursday passed a bill (HB 991) on a 77-28 vote along party lines, imposing new identification requirements on voters, but it doesn\u2019t take effect until Jan. 1, 2027.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day the Senate approved the measure on a 27-12 vote, with state Sen. Alexis Calatayud, of Miami, the only Republican voting against it. State Sen. Jason Pizzo, an independent from Sunny Isles Beach, voted for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is our tolerance for fraud and lack of integrity?\u201d said state Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, sponsor of the Senate version of the bill. \u201cAnd yes we have safe elections in Florida but they don\u2019t stay safe and secure if we don\u2019t pay attention to the large gaps that exist where we can address additional fraud.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bill is Florida\u2019s version of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a federal bill that requires voters to provide proof of citizenship when they register to vote and present a photo ID when cast their vote at the ballot box.<\/p>\n
While the federal bill restricts mail-in ballots, Florida\u2019s measure does not. Limiting mail-in ballots is a priority of President Donald Trump, who said he would not sign any other legislation until Congress passed the bill, as it was crucial for the midterm elections.<\/p>\n
In Florida, more than 11 million residents cast their ballot in the 2024 general election, with about 3 million people voting by mail, according to the Division of Elections.<\/p>\n
The SAVE America Act passed the U.S. House in February and is expected to be heard in the U.S. Senate next week.<\/p>\n
Another provision in Florida\u2019s bill requires candidates to disclose whether they are dual citizens of another country.<\/p>\n
House Democrats took issue with it, arguing it could promote racially-motivated attacks and xenophobia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m old enough to remember President Barack Obama being accused of not having a U.S. citizenship and the so-called birther movement led by our current president, by the way, who demanded that President Obama prove his birth certificate. How is this not the same thing?\u201d said state Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando.<\/p>\n
The bill also requires the state\u2019s Office of Election Crimes and Security to provide in its annual report any violations or irregularities relating to the involvement of foreign nationals in state elections.<\/p>\n
Candidates for federal offices will also be required to disclose whether they intend to trade stocks while in office.<\/p>\n
If DeSantis signs the bill into law, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will note a person\u2019s citizenship status on any new, replacement or renewal driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n
Also, university and college student identification cards and retirement home identification cards will no longer be allowed to be used to verify identity at the ballot box.<\/p>\n
Democrats criticized the move, saying it will disenfranchise out-of-state students and seniors, two groups of people who are more likely to not have a valid driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n
In a social media post, Democratic elections lawyer Marc Elias pledged to sue the state if the bill is enacted.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Evan Power, Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, hailed passage of the legislation.<\/p>\n
\u201cFloridians deserve absolute confidence that every legal vote counts and that our elections are secure,\u201d Power said. “Showing ID is required for countless everyday activities \u2014 from buying alcohol to boarding a plane \u2014 yet Democrats claim verifying eligibility to vote is somehow too much to ask. That argument simply doesn\u2019t hold up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis commonsense legislation strengthens voter confidence and protects the integrity of Florida\u2019s elections,” he added.<\/p>\n
Opponents argue the measure would disenfranchise tens of thousands of Florida voters, especially voters of color.<\/p>\n