The Florida Legislature passed SB 90, an election administration bill revising certain sections of the Florida Election Code. On May 6, 2021 Governor DeSantis signed the bill into law, with immediate effect. A brief explanation of changes that may affect voters is provided here:
VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATES
The new law does not change the process for new voter registration applications. However, applications to update an existing voter registration record will now require additional information, necessary to establish an applicant’s identity and eligibility.
Name and party changes must be submitted on a Florida Voter Registration Application and must include voter’s Florida Driver License number or Florida ID Card number or the last four digits of his/her Social Security number.
Address changes within the state may be submitted to the Supervisor of Elections by phone or email and must include voter’s Florida Driver License number or Florida ID Card number or the last four digits of his/her Social Security number, whichever may be verified in the supervisor’s records. Address changes may also be submitted on a Voter Registration Application or other written notice.
VOTE-BY-MAIL REQUESTS
One request for a Vote-by-Mail ballot will cover all elections through the end of the calendar year of the next scheduled general election. All requests currently on file will be good through the end of 2024.
A voter requesting a Vote-by-Mail ballot for himself/herself in writing, in person or by phone must provide:
• Voter’s name
• Voter’s address
• Voter’s date of birth
• Voter’s Florida Driver License or Florida ID Card number, or the last four digits of his/her Social Security number
• Voter’s signature (written requests only)
An immediate family member or legal guardian requesting a ballot on behalf of a voter must provide, in addition to the voter’s information above:
• Requestor’s name
• Requestor’s address
• Requestor’s date of birth
• Requestor’s Florida Driver License or Florida ID Card number or last four of his/her Social Security number
• Requestor’s relationship to the voter
• Requestor’s signature (written requests only)
A designee who is picking up or returning Vote-by-Mail ballots for another voter, may lawfully possess only his or her own ballot and those of immediate family members, in addition to two other ballots. Immediate family includes spouse or parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling of the designee or designee’s spouse.
RETURN OF VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT
Secure drop boxes (now officially known as Secure Ballot intake stations) will be provided and monitored by election personnel at all early voting sites during posted hours of operation. The location of Vote-by-Mail Secure Ballot intake stations will be published on our website at least 30 days prior to each election.
For questions, please contact the office of the Supervisor of Elections at 904-255-8683.