FL
Florida House Bill H1381

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H1381 Compare Versions

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1010 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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1414 A bill to be entitled 1
15-An act relating to elections; amending s. 97.021, 2
16-F.S.; revising definitions; amending s. 97.0525, F.S.; 3
17-requiring that the online voter registration system 4
18-generate a notice with certain information under a 5
19-specified circumstance; amending s. 97.053, F.S. ; 6
20-authorizing a voter registration applicant to provide 7
21-a copy of certain documentation for a specified 8
22-purpose; providing construction; requiring supervisors 9
23-of elections to update a voter's record if provided 10
24-specified information by the applicant after 11
25-registration; providing that such updates are 12
26-retroactive to the date the application was received; 13
27-providing that certain applications can only be 14
28-accepted as valid after verifying citizenship through 15
29-specified means; requiring certain information be 16
30-recorded in the voter's record; requiring an applicant 17
31-to provide evidence to the supervisor sufficient to 18
32-prove the applicant's legal status as a United States 19
33-citizen under specified circumstances; requiring the 20
34-supervisor to place such applicant on the vote r rolls 21
35-under a specified circumstance; authorizing an 22
36-applicant that has not provided such evidence to vote 23
37-a provisional ballot; providing that such ballot may 24
38-be counted only if the applicant can verify his or her 25
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47-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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51-legal status within a specified timefra me; amending s. 26
52-97.057, F.S.; requiring the Department of State to 27
53-share information about the type of documentary proof 28
54-of citizenship provided by specified cardholders; 29
55-requiring the Department of Highway Safety and Motor 30
56-Vehicles to assist the Departmen t of State with 31
57-identifying changes in residential addresses in 32
58-accordance with a specified provision; amending s. 33
59-98.045, F.S.; requiring supervisors to make certain 34
60-determinations within a specified timeframe related to 35
61-a voter registration applicant who was previously 36
62-removed for ineligibility and to follow specified 37
63-procedures to notify the applicant, if applicable; 38
64-amending s. 98.075, F.S.; authorizing the Department 39
65-of State to enter into memorandums of understanding 40
66-with federal agencies and other st ate governments and 41
67-to share confidential and exempt information with such 42
68-governments; requiring that such governments maintain 43
69-the confidentiality of such information; requiring the 44
70-Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to 45
71-provide driver licens e and identification card 46
72-information to such governments in certain 47
73-circumstances; requiring supervisors to remove the 48
74-name of a deceased voter under specified 49
75-circumstances; amending s. 98.093, F.S.; requiring 50
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84-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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88-certain information be furnished to the Depa rtment of 51
89-State from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor 52
90-Vehicles; creating s. 98.094, F.S.; requiring that 53
91-lists of registered voters be provided to federal 54
92-courts for a specified purpose under a certain 55
93-condition; requiring federal jury coordinato rs to 56
94-prepare or cause to be prepared a certain list; 57
95-requiring that such list be sent to the Division of 58
96-Elections periodically; requiring that jury 59
97-coordinators provide the division with specified 60
98-information about each disqualified juror; requiring 61
99-the supervisor to use such list to conduct list 62
100-maintenance or eligibility maintenance procedures; 63
101-amending s. 99.021, F.S.; revising information to be 64
102-required in writing by a person seeking to qualify for 65
103-nomination as a candidate of a political party; 66
104-providing that certain statements are substantive 67
105-requirements; authorizing qualified candidates and 68
106-political parties with such candidates to challenge 69
107-another candidate's compliance with a specified oath 70
108-in a certain circuit court; prohibiting a person from 71
109-qualifying as a candidate and appearing on the ballot 72
110-if a court order becomes final and makes certain 73
111-determinations; amending s. 101.043, F.S.; revising 74
112-the forms of current and valid picture identifications 75
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121-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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125-that a voter must provide upon entering the pol ling 76
126-place; amending s. 101.048, F.S.; revising the 77
127-instructions that are included with cure affidavits to 78
128-conform to changes made by the act; amending s. 79
129-101.151, F.S.; authorizing ballot -on-demand technology 80
130-to be used for early voting ballots; amending ss. 81
131-101.5606, 101.56075, 101.5608, and 101.5612, F.S.; 82
132-conforming provisions to changes made by the act; 83
133-amending s. 101.591, F.S.; deleting provisions 84
134-relating to performing a manual audit; requiring the 85
135-county canvassing board or local board responsible for 86
136-certifying an election to conduct an automated 87
137-independent vote validation of voting systems used in 88
138-all precincts; providing the procedure for such 89
139-automated independent vote validation; requiring the 90
140-division to adopt certain rules; requiring that th e 91
141-canvassing board publish certain notice on the 92
142-county's website, on the supervisor's website, or in 93
143-certain newspapers; requiring the vote validation 94
144-process be open to the public; requiring that such 95
145-vote validation be completed and made public before 96
146-the certification of the election; providing reporting 97
147-requirements for county canvassing boards; amending s. 98
148-101.5911, F.S.; requiring the department to adopt 99
149-certain rules; conforming provisions to changes made 100
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158-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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162-by the act; amending s. 101.595, F.S.; revis ing 101
163-reporting requirements for the Department of State; 102
164-amending s. 101.68, F.S.; conforming provisions to 103
165-changes made by the act; amending s. 101.6923, F.S.; 104
166-revising the instructions sent to certain first -time 105
167-voters to conform to changes made by the ac t; amending 106
168-s. 102.141, F.S.; revising the composition of county 107
169-canvassing boards; prohibiting persons who publicly 108
170-endorse or donate to candidates or are active 109
171-participants endorsing or opposing a public measure 110
172-from serving on county canvassing boards; requiring 111
173-qualified voters who meet certain conditions be 112
174-appointed to the county canvassing board in specified 113
175-circumstances; requiring members of a county 114
176-canvassing board and all clerical help to wear, at 115
177-specified times, identification badges in a cer tain 116
178-manner and which include specified information; 117
179-requiring a county canvassing board to retain legal 118
180-representation; authorizing such legal representation 119
181-to be a county attorney; specifying that the deadline 120
182-by which supervisors shall upload prelimina ry results 121
183-is in local time; requiring the supervisor on behalf 122
184-of the county canvassing board to report to the 123
185-department all early voting and vote -by-mail 124
186-tabulations; requiring counties to conduct an 125
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195-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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199-automated independent vote validation process for a 126
200-certain purpose after unofficial results are reported; 127
201-requiring that such process be completed within a 128
202-specified timeframe; requiring the county canvassing 129
203-board to take specified actions after making a certain 130
204-determination; requiring the county canvassi ng board 131
205-to conduct a system validation review under specified 132
206-circumstances; providing requirements for such review; 133
207-deleting provisions related to recounts by the county 134
208-canvassing board; requiring the county canvassing 135
209-board to publish notice containing manual review 136
210-information by specified means; providing that such 137
211-review are open to the public; requiring the county 138
212-canvassing board to submit to the department certain 139
213-forms containing a vote validation report; providing 140
214-requirements for such report; r equiring the department 141
215-to adopt rules; creating s. 102.143, F.S.; requiring 142
216-the supervisor to file with the division a report on 143
217-the conduct of the election within a specified 144
218-timeframe; providing requirements for the report; 145
219-requiring the supervisor to n otify the Division of 146
220-Elections of new information and file an amended 147
221-report including such information, if applicable, 148
222-within a specified timeframe; requiring the division 149
223-to maintain on file and make available for public 150
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232-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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236-inspection such reports; requiri ng the division to 151
237-review the reports for a specified purpose; requiring 152
238-an analysis of the report be submitted to specified 153
239-parties by a certain date; amending s. 102.166, F.S.; 154
240-requiring manual reviews of overvotes and undervotes 155
241-unless certain condition s exist; providing that the 156
242-secretary is responsible for ordering such review in 157
243-specified races and the county canvassing board, or 158
244-local board responsible for certifying the election, 159
245-is responsible for ordering such reviews in all other 160
246-races; authorizing political parties to designate a 161
247-certain expert to be allowed in the central counting 162
248-room while tests are being performed; prohibiting such 163
249-person from interfering with the normal operation of 164
250-the canvassing board; requiring the department to 165
251-adopt certain rules; amending s. 104.42, F.S.; 166
252-requiring certain investigations be reported to 167
253-specified entities; amending s. 106.08, F.S.; revising 168
254-the contributions or expenditures that a foreign 169
255-national is prohibited from making or offering to 170
256-make; prohibiting political parties, political 171
257-committees, committees associated with ballot issues 172
258-or questions, electioneering communications 173
259-organizations, and candidates from knowingly accepting 174
260-contributions from foreign nationals; providing 175
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269-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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273-penalties; creating s. 32 2.034, F.S.; requiring that 176
274-driver licenses and identification cards include 177
275-certain information by a specified date; requiring the 178
276-department issue certain replacement or renewal cards 179
277-at no charge; amending s. 895.02, F.S.; revising the 180
278-definition of the term "racketeering activity"; 181
279-providing an effective date. date. 182
280- 183
281-Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 184
282- 185
283- Section 1. Subsections (6), (43), (44), and (47) of 186
284-section 97.021, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 187
285- 97.021 Definitions.—For the purposes of this code, except 188
286-where the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term: 189
287- (6) "Ballot" or "official ballot" means a printed sheet of 190
288-paper containing contests including offices and candidates, 191
289-constitutional amendments, and ot her public measures upon which 192
290-a voter's selections will be marked by using the pen or marker 193
291-recommended by the voting system vendor. A ballot includes a 194
292-voter-verifiable paper output upon which a voter's selections 195
293-are marked by a voter interface device that meets voter 196
294-accessibility requirements for individuals with disabilities 197
295-under s. 301 of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 and s. 198
296-101.56062 when used in reference to: 199
297- (a) "Electronic or electromechanical devices" means a 200
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310-ballot that is voted by the process of electronically 201
311-designating, including by touchscreen, or marking with a marking 202
312-device for tabulation by automatic tabulating equipment or data 203
313-processing equipment . 204
314- (b) "Marksense ballots" means that printed sheet of paper, 205
315-used in conjunction with an electronic or electromechanical vote 206
316-tabulation voting system, containing the names of candidates, or 207
317-a statement of proposed constitutional amendments or other 208
318-questions or propositions submitted to the electorate at any 209
319-election, on which sheet of paper an elector casts his or her 210
320-vote. 211
321- (43) "Voter interface device" means any device that 212
322-communicates voting instructions and ballot information to a 213
323-voter and allows the voter to select and vote for candidates and 214
324-issues. A voter interfac e device may not be used to tabulate 215
325-votes. Any vote tabulation must be based upon a subsequent scan 216
326-of the marked marksense ballot or the voter-verifiable paper 217
327-output after the voter interface device process has been 218
328-completed. 219
329- (44) "Voter registration agency" means any office that 220
330-provides public assistance, any office that serves persons with 221
331-disabilities, any center for independent living, or any public 222
332-library. The term includes any other federal or state office 223
333-that is first designated by the Secre tary of State to become a 224
334-voter registration agency if such office accepts such 225
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343-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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347-designation. 226
348- (47) "Voting system" means a method of casting and 227
349-processing votes that functions wholly or partly by use of 228
350-electromechanical or electronic apparatus or by use of marksense 229
351-ballots and includes, but is not limited to, the equipment, 230
352-including hardware, firmware, and software; the ballots; the 231
353-procedures for casting and processing votes ; and the programs, 232
354-the operating manuals, the supplies; and the reports, printouts, 233
355-and other documentation software necessary for the system's 234
356-operation. 235
357- Section 2. Subsections (5) through (8) of section 97.0525, 236
358-Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (6) through (9), 237
359-respectively, and new subsection (5) is added to t hat section, 238
360-to read: 239
361- 97.0525 Online voter registration. — 240
362- (5) The online voter registration system shall generate a 241
363-notice to the applicant if the applicant's legal status as a 242
364-United States citizen cannot be verified by the records of the 243
365-Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Additionally, 244
366-in order to ensure the applicant is able to access information, 245
367-the notice must provide the applicant with contact information 246
368-for his or her supervisor of elections. 247
369- Section 3. Subsections (2) and (6) of section 97.053, 248
370-Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 249
371- 97.053 Acceptance of voter registration applications. — 250
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384- (2)(a) A voter registration application is complete and 251
385-becomes the official voter registration record of that applicant 252
386-when all information necessary to establish the applicant's 253
387-eligibility pursuant to s. 97.041 is received by a voter 254
388-registration official a nd verified pursuant to subsection (6). A 255
389-voter registration applicant may provide, with his or her 256
390-application, a copy of any one of the following documents as 257
391-proof of United States citizenship: 258
392- 1. A United States passport. 259
393- 2. A United States birth c ertificate. 260
394- 3. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad provided by the 261
395-United States Department of State. 262
396- 4. A Florida driver license or Florida identification 263
397-card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor 264
398-Vehicles if such driver license or ident ification card indicates 265
399-United States citizenship. 266
400- 5. A naturalization certificate or certificate of 267
401-citizenship issued by the United States Department of Homeland 268
402-Security. Alternatively, a certificate number or an alien 269
403-registration number may be prov ided to allow a state or local 270
404-election official to verify United States citizenship. 271
405- 6. A valid photo identification issued by the Federal 272
406-Government or the government of this state which indicates 273
407-United States citizenship. 274
408- 7. An order from a federal court granting United States 275
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417-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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421-citizenship. 276
422- 277
423-Any person who is registered to vote on or before June 30, 2025, 278
424-does not need to provide proof of United States citizenship 279
425-until his or her supervisor of elections makes a request to 280
426-verify citizenship under par agraph (6)(b) or s. 98.075. 281
427- (b) If the applicant fails to complete his or her voter 282
428-registration application on or before prior to the date of book 283
429-closing for an election, then such applicant is shall not be 284
430-eligible to vote in that election. 285
431- (6)(a) A voter registration application, including an 286
432-application with a change in name, address, or party 287
433-affiliation, may be accepted as valid only after the department 288
434-has verified the authenticity or nonexistence of the driver 289
435-license number, the Florida id entification card number, or the 290
436-last four digits of the social security number provided by the 291
437-applicant. If a completed voter registration application has 292
438-been received by the book -closing deadline but the driver 293
439-license number, the Florida identificatio n card number, or the 294
440-last four digits of the social security number provided by the 295
441-applicant cannot be verified, the applicant must shall be 296
442-notified that the number cannot be verified and that the 297
443-applicant must provide evidence to the supervisor suffic ient to 298
444-verify the authenticity of the applicant's driver license 299
445-number, Florida identification card number, or last four digits 300
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458-of the social security number. If the applicant provides the 301
459-necessary evidence, the supervisor must shall place the 302
460-applicant's name on the registration rolls as an active voter or 303
461-update the voter's record with the change in address, name, or 304
462-party affiliation, as applicable. The change in address, name, 305
463-or party affiliation is retroactive to the date the application 306
464-was initially received. If the applicant has not provided the 307
465-necessary evidence or the number has not otherwise been verified 308
466-before prior to the applicant presenting himself or herself to 309
467-vote, the applicant must shall be provided a provisional ballot. 310
468-The provisional ballot must shall be counted pursuant to s. 311
469-101.048, only if the number is verified by the end of the 312
470-canvassing period or if the applicant presents evidence to the 313
471-supervisor of elections sufficient to verify the authenticity of 314
472-the applicant's drive r license number, Florida identification 315
473-card number, or last four digits of the social security number 316
474-no later than 5 p.m. of the second day following the election. 317
475- (b) A voter registration application, including an 318
476-application with a change in name, a ddress, or party 319
477-affiliation, may be accepted as valid only after the department 320
478-has verified that the applicant is a United States citizen in 321
479-one of the following ways: 322
480- 1. The applicant's voter record indicates that his or her 323
481-legal status as a United S tates citizen has been verified. 324
482- 2. The applicant provided documentary proof of United 325
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495-States citizenship with the application. 326
496- 3. The applicant's legal status as a United States citizen 327
497-is verified against the records of the Department of Highway 328
498-Safety and Motor Vehicles or the United States Department of 329
499-Homeland Security. 330
500- 331
501-The type of documentary proof of United States citizenship used 332
502-for the verification under subparagraph 2. shall be recorded in 333
503-the voter's record. If a completed voter registratio n 334
504-application has been received by the book -closing deadline but 335
505-the applicant's legal status as a United States citizen cannot 336
506-be verified, the supervisor shall notify the applicant. The 337
507-applicant must provide evidence to the supervisor sufficient to 338
508-verify the applicant's legal status as a United States citizen 339
509-before voting. If the applicant provides the necessary evidence 340
510-before requesting a vote -by-mail ballot or presenting to vote in 341
511-person, the supervisor shall place the applicant's name on the 342
512-registration rolls as an active voter. If the applicant has not 343
513-provided the necessary evidence or the legal status is not 344
514-verified before requesting a vote -by-mail ballot or presenting 345
515-to vote in person, the applicant must be provided a provisional 346
516-ballot. The provisional ballot must be counted only if the 347
517-applicant's legal status as a United States citizen is verified 348
518-by the end of the canvassing period or if the applicant presents 349
519-evidence to the supervisor of elections sufficient to verify the 350
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532-applicant's legal status as a United States citizen no later 351
533-than 5 p.m. of the second day following the election. 352
534- Section 4. Subsections (11) and (13) of section 97.057, 353
535-Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 354
536- 97.057 Voter registration by the Department of Highway 355
537-Safety and Motor Vehicles. — 356
538- (11) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 357
539-shall enter into an agreement with the department to match 358
540-information in the statewide voter registration system with 359
541-information in the database of the Department of Highway Safety 360
542-and Motor Vehicles to the extent required to verify the accuracy 361
543-of the driver license number, Florida identification number, or 362
544-last four digits of the social security number provided on 363
545-applications for voter registration as required in s. 97.053. 364
546-The department shall also include the type of documentary proof 365
547-that the licensee or cardholder provided in support of United 366
548-States citizenship. 367
549- (13) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 368
550-shall must assist the Department of State in regularly 369
551-identifying changes in residence address on the driver license 370
552-or identification card of a voter in accordance with this 371
553-section. The Department of State must report each such change to 372
554-the appropriate supervisor of elections who must change t he 373
555-voter's registration records in accordance with s. 98.065(4). 374
556- Section 5. Subsection (1) of section 98.045, Florida 375
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569-Statutes, are amended to read: 376
570- 98.045 Administration of voter registration. — 377
571- (1) ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANT. — 378
572- (a) The supervisor shall must ensure that any eligible 379
573-applicant for voter registration is registered to vote and that 380
574-each application for voter registration is processed in 381
575-accordance with law. The supervisor shall determine whether a 382
576-voter registration applicant is inelig ible based on any of the 383
577-following: 384
578- 1.(a) The failure to complete a voter registration 385
579-application as specified in s. 97.053. 386
580- 2.(b) The applicant is deceased. 387
581- 3.(c) The applicant has been convicted of a felony for 388
582-which his or her voting rights have not been restored. 389
583- 4.(d) The applicant has been adjudicated mentally 390
584-incapacitated with respect to the right to vote and such right 391
585-has not been restored. 392
586- 5.(e) The applicant does not meet the age requirement 393
587-pursuant to s. 97.041. 394
588- 6.(f) The applicant is not a United States citizen. 395
589- 7.(g) The applicant is a fictitious person. 396
590- 8.(h) The applicant has provided an address of legal 397
591-residence that is not his or her legal residence. 398
592- 9.(i) The applicant has provided a driver license numbe r, 399
593-Florida identification card number, or the last four digits of a 400
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606-social security number that is not verifiable by the department. 401
607- (b)1. If the latest voter registration records show that a 402
608-new applicant was previously registered but subsequently remov ed 403
609-for ineligibility pursuant to s. 98.075(7), by reason of a 404
610-felony conviction without voting rights restored, adjudication 405
611-as mentally incapacitated with respect to voting without voting 406
612-rights restored, death, or for non -United States citizenship, 407
613-the supervisor must verify the current eligibility of the 408
614-applicant to register within 10 days by reviewing any 409
615-governmental entity document or source to determine whether the 410
616-applicant remains ineligible. If the supervisor determines that 411
617-the applicant is inel igible, the supervisor shall deny the 412
618-application and notify the applicant pursuant to s. 97.073. 413
619- Section 6. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 98.075, 414
620-Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 415
621- 98.075 Registration records maintenance activities; 416
622-ineligibility determinations. — 417
623- (2) DUPLICATE REGISTRATION. — 418
624- (a) The department shall identify those voters who are 419
625-registered more than once or those applicants whose registration 420
626-applications within this the state would result in duplicate 421
627-registrations. The most recent application must shall be deemed 422
628-an update to the voter registration record. 423
629- (b)1. The department may become a member of a 424
630-nongovernmental entity whose sole purpose is to share and 425
631-
632-CS/HB 1381 2025
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634-
635-
636-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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639-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
640-
641-
642-
643-exchange information in order to verify voter registration 426
644-information. The membership of the nongovernmental entity must 427
645-be composed solely of election officials of state governments, 428
646-except that such membership may also include election officials 429
647-of the District of Columbia. If the department intends to become 430
648-a member of such a nongovernmental entity, the agreement to join 431
649-the entity must require that the Secretary of State, or his or 432
650-her designee, serve as a full member with voting rights on the 433
651-nongovernmental entity's board of directors within 12 months 434
652-after joining the entity. The department may enter into 435
653-memorandums of understanding with federal agencies or other 436
654-state governments. 437
655- 2. The department may share confidential and exempt 438
656-information with a federal agency or another state government 439
657-after agreeing to a memorandum of understanding or after 440
658-becoming a member of a nongovernmental entity as provided in 441
659-subparagraph 1. if: 442
660- a. Each federal agency, state government, or member of the 443
661-nongovernmental entity agrees to maintain the confidentiality of 444
662-such information as required by the laws of the jurisdiction 445
663-providing the information; or 446
664- b. The bylaws of the nongovernmental entity require member 447
665-jurisdictions and the entity to maintain the confidentiality of 448
666-information as required by the laws of the jurisdiction 449
667-providing the information. 450
668-
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671-
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676-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
677-
678-
679-
680- 3. The department may only become a member of a 451
681-nongovernmental entity as provided in subparagraph 1. if the 452
682-entity is controlled and operated by the participating 453
683-jurisdictions. The entity may not be operated or c ontrolled by 454
684-the Federal Government or any other entity acting on behalf of 455
685-the Federal Government. The department must be able to withdraw 456
686-at any time from any such membership entered into. 457
687- 4. If the department enters into a memorandum of 458
688-understanding with a federal agency or another state government 459
689-or becomes a member of a nongovernmental entity as provided in 460
690-subparagraph 1., the Department of Highway Safety and Motor 461
691-Vehicles must, pursuant to a written agreement with the 462
692-department, provide driver license or identification card 463
693-information to the department for the purpose of sharing and 464
694-exchanging voter registration information with the federal 465
695-agency, other state government, or nongovernmental entity. 466
696- 5. If the department becomes a member of a n ongovernmental 467
697-entity as provided in subparagraph 1., the department must 468
698-submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, 469
699-and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 1 of 470
700-each year. The report must describe the terms of the 471
701-nongovernmental entity membership and provide information on the 472
702-total number of voters removed from the voter registration 473
703-system as a result of the membership and the reasons for their 474
704-removal. 475
705-
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709-
710-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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713-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
714-
715-
716-
717- (c) Information received by the department from another 476
718-state or the District of Columbia upon the department becoming a 477
719-member of a nongovernmental entity as provided in subparagraph 478
720-(b)1., which is confidential or exempt pursuant to the laws of 479
721-that state or the District of Columbia, is exempt from s. 480
722-119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. The 481
723-department shall provide such information to the supervisors to 482
724-conduct registration list maintenance activities. 483
725- (3) DECEASED PERSONS. — 484
726- (a)1. The department shall identify those registered 485
727-voters who are deceased by comparing information received from: 486
728- a. The Department of Health as provided in s. 98.093; 487
729- b. The United States Social Security Administration, 488
730-including, but not limited to, any master death file or index 489
731-compiled by the United States Social Security Administration; or 490
732-and 491
733- c. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. 492
734- 2. Within 7 days after receipt of such information through 493
735-the statewide voter registration system, the supervisor shall 494
736-remove the name of the registered voter. 495
737- (b) The supervisor shall remove the name of a deceased 496
738-registered voter from the statewide voter registration system 497
739-within 7 days after receipt of : 498
740- 1. A copy of a death certificate issued by a governmental 499
741-agency authorized to issue death certi ficates; or 500
742-
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750-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
751-
752-
753-
754- 2. A published obituary or notice of death, a letter of 501
755-probate or estate administration, or personal knowledge that is 502
756-verified pursuant to s. 92.525, of a registered voter's death . 503
757- Section 7. Paragraph (c) of subsection (8) of section 504
758-98.093, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph (d), and 505
759-a new paragraph (c) is added to that subsection, to read: 506
760- 98.093 Duty of officials to furnish information relating 507
761-to deceased persons, persons adjudicated mentally incapacitated, 508
762-persons convicted of a felony, and persons who are not United 509
763-States citizens.— 510
764- (8) DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES. —The 511
765-Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall furnish 512
766-weekly to the department the following information: 513
767- (c) Information identifying those persons who during the 514
768-preceding week presented evidence of United States citizenship 515
769-upon being issued a new or renewed Florida driver license or 516
770-Florida identification card. The information must contain the 517
771-person's name; address; d ate of birth; last four digits of the 518
772-social security number, if applicable; Florida driver license 519
773-number or Florida identification card number, as available; the 520
774-type of documentary proof provided in support of citizenship; 521
775-and, if applicable, the alien registration number or other legal 522
776-status identifier. 523
777- Section 8. Section 98.094, Florida Statutes, is created to 524
778-read: 525
779-
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787-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
788-
789-
790-
791- 98.094 Federal jury notice. — 526
792- (1) Lists of registered voters must be provided to federal 527
793-courts for purposes of selecting jurors o n the condition that 528
794-the jury coordinator provides notice pursuant to subsection (2) 529
795-regarding ineligible or potentially ineligible voters. 530
796- (2) The jury coordinator shall prepare or cause to be 531
797-prepared a list of each person disqualified or potentially 532
798-disqualified as a prospective juror from jury service due to 533
799-being a non-United States citizen, being convicted of a felony, 534
800-being deceased, not being a resident of this state, or not being 535
801-a resident of the county. The list must be prepared and sent to 536
802-the division according to the jury summons cycle used by the 537
803-court clerk. This section does not prevent the list from being 538
804-sent more frequently. The list may be provided by mail, e -mail, 539
805-or other electronic means. 540
806- (3) The jury coordinator shall provide the division with 541
807-all of the following information about each disqualified juror: 542
808- (a) The full name of the disqualified juror. 543
809- (b) Current and prior addresses, if any. 544
810- (c) Telephone number, if available. 545
811- (d) Date of birth. 546
812- (e) The reason the prospec tive juror was disqualified. 547
813- (4) The division shall provide the information to the 548
814-respective supervisor in the county of residence for the 549
815-disqualified juror for the supervisor to initiate, as may be 550
816-
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824-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
825-
826-
827-
828-applicable, address list maintenance pursuant to s. 98.065, or 551
829-eligibility maintenance pursuant to s. 98.075(7). 552
830- Section 9. Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of section 553
831-99.021, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph (f), 554
832-paragraphs (b) and (c) of that subsection are amended, and a new 555
833-paragraph (e) is added to that subsection, to read: 556
834- 99.021 Form of candidate oath. — 557
835- (1) 558
836- (b) In addition, any person seeking to qualify for 559
837-nomination as a candidate of any political party shall, at the 560
838-time of subscribing to the oath or affirmation, state in 561
839-writing: 562
840- 1. The party of which the person is a member. 563
841- 2. That the person has been a registered member of the 564
842-political party for which he or she is seeking nomination as a 565
843-candidate for at least 365 consecutive days preceding before the 566
844-beginning of the qualifying period before preceding the general 567
845-election for which the person seeks to qualify. 568
846- 3. That the person has paid the assessment levied against 569
847-him or her, if any, as a candidate for said office by the 570
848-executive committee of the party of which he or she is a member. 571
849- (c) In addition, any person seeking to qualify for office 572
850-as a candidate with no party affiliation shall, at the time of 573
851-subscribing to the oath or affirmation, state in writing that he 574
852-or she has been is registered without any party affiliation and 575
853-
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861-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
862-
863-
864-
865-that he or she has not been a registered member of any political 576
866-party for at least 365 consecutive days preceding before the 577
867-beginning of the qualifying period before preceding the general 578
868-election for which the person seeks to qualify. 579
869- (e) The statements in subparagraph (b)2. and paragraph (c) 580
870-constitute substantive requirements on the person completing the 581
871-statement and compliance with those requirements is mandatory. 582
872-The sole method to enforce compliance with such requirements is 583
873-contained within this paragraph. Compliance with subparagraph 584
874-(b)2. and paragraph (c) may be challenged by a qualified 585
875-candidate or political party with qualified candidates in the 586
876-same race by filing an action in the circuit court for the 587
877-county in which the qualifying officer is headquartered. A 588
878-person may not be qualified as a candidate for nomination or 589
879-election and his or her name may not appear on the ballot if an 590
880-order of a court that has become final determines that: 591
881- 1. The person seeking to qualify f or nomination as a 592
882-candidate of any political party has not been a registered 593
883-member of that party for the 365 -day period preceding the 594
884-beginning of qualifying; or 595
885- 2. The person seeking to qualify for office as a candidate 596
886-with no party affiliation has not been registered without party 597
887-affiliation for, or has been a registered member of any 598
888-political party during, the 365 -day period preceding the 599
889-beginning of qualifying. 600
890-
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898-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
899-
900-
901-
902- Section 10. Subsection (1) of section 101.043, Florida 601
903-Statutes, is amended to r ead: 602
904- 101.043 Identification required at polls. — 603
905- (1)(a) The precinct register, as prescribed in s. 98.461, 604
906-must shall be used at the polls for the purpose of identifying 605
907-the elector at the polls before allowing him or her to vote. The 606
908-clerk or inspector shall require each elector, upon entering the 607
909-polling place, to present one of the following current and valid 608
910-picture identifications: 609
911- 1. Florida driver license. 610
912- 2. Florida identification card issued by the Department of 611
913-Highway Safety and Motor Vehi cles. 612
914- 3. United States passport or passport card. 613
915- 4. Debit or credit card. 614
916- 4.5. United States uniformed services or Merchant Marine 615
917-Military identification. 616
918- 6. Student identification. 617
919- 7. Retirement center identification. 618
920- 8. Neighborhood associa tion identification. 619
921- 9. Public assistance identification. 620
922- 5.10. Veteran health identification card issued by the 621
923-United States Department of Veterans Affairs. 622
924- 6.11. A license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm 623
925-issued pursuant to s. 790.06. 624
926- 7.12. Any other Employee identification card issued by any 625
927-
928-CS/HB 1381 2025
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930-
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935-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
936-
937-
938-
939-branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, 626
940-the state, a county, or a municipality. 627
941- (b) If the picture identification does not contain the 628
942-signature of the elector, an additional identification that 629
943-provides the elector's signature is shall be required. The 630
944-address appearing on the identification presented by the elector 631
945-may not be used as the basis to challenge an elector's legal 632
946-residence. The elector must shall sign his or her name in the 633
947-space provided on the precinct register or on an electronic 634
948-device provided for recording the elector's signature. The clerk 635
949-or inspector shall compare the signature with that on the 636
950-identification provided by the elector and e nter his or her 637
951-initials in the space provided on the precinct register or on an 638
952-electronic device provided for that purpose and allow the 639
953-elector to vote if the clerk or inspector is satisfied as to the 640
954-identity of the elector. 641
955- Section 11. Paragraph ( d) of subsection (6) of section 642
956-101.048, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 643
957- 101.048 Provisional ballots. — 644
958- (6) 645
959- (d) Instructions must accompany the cure affidavit in 646
960-substantially the following form: 647
961- 648
962- READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLET ING THE 649
963-AFFIDAVIT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR 650
964-
965-CS/HB 1381 2025
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972-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
973-
974-
975-
976-BALLOT NOT TO COUNT. 651
977- 652
978- 1. In order to cure the missing signature or the signature 653
979-discrepancy on your Provisional Ballot Voter's Certificate and 654
980-Affirmation, your affidavit should be c ompleted and returned as 655
981-soon as possible so that it can reach the supervisor of 656
982-elections of the county in which your precinct is located no 657
983-later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election. 658
984- 2. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter's 659
985-Signature). 660
986- 3. You must make a copy of one of the following forms of 661
987-identification: 662
988- a. Tier 1 identification. —Current and valid identification 663
989-that includes your name and photograph: Florida driver license; 664
990-Florida identification card issued by the Departm ent of Highway 665
991-Safety and Motor Vehicles; United States passport or passport 666
992-card; United States Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine ; debit 667
993-or credit card; military identification; student identification; 668
994-retirement center identification; neighborhood as sociation 669
995-identification; public assistance identification; veteran health 670
996-identification card issued by the United States Department of 671
997-Veterans Affairs; Florida license to carry a concealed weapon or 672
998-firearm; or any other employee identification card iss ued by any 673
999-branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, 674
1000-the state, a county, or a municipality; or 675
1001-
1002-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1009-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1010-
1011-
1012-
1013- b. Tier 2 identification. —ONLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TIER 1 676
1014-FORM OF IDENTIFICATION, identification that shows your name and 677
1015-current residence address: current utility bill; bank statement; 678
1016-government check; paycheck; or government document (excluding 679
1017-voter information card). 680
1018- 4. If your status as a United States citizen has not been 681
1019-verified you must complete the affidavit and submit a copy of 682
1020-one of the following documents: 683
1021- a. A United States passport. 684
1022- b. A United States birth certificate. 685
1023- c. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad provided by the 686
1024-United States Department of State. 687
1025- d. A Florida driver license or Florida identification card 688
1026-issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles if 689
1027-such license or identification card indicates United States 690
1028-citizenship. 691
1029- e. A naturalization certificate or certificate of 692
1030-citizenship issued by the United States Department of Homela nd 693
1031-Security. Alternatively, a certificate number or alien 694
1032-registration number may be provided to allow a state or local 695
1033-election official to verify United States citizenship. 696
1034- f. A valid photo identification issued by the Federal 697
1035-Government or the governme nt of this state that indicates United 698
1036-States citizenship. 699
1037- g. An order from a federal court granting United States 700
1038-
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1046-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1047-
1048-
1049-
1050-citizenship. 701
1051- 702
1052-Your affidavit should be completed and returned as soon as 703
1053-possible so that it can reach the supervisor of elections of the 704
1054-county in which your precinct is located no later than 5 p.m. on 705
1055-the 2nd day after the election. You must sign your name here 706
1056-(Voter's Signature). 707
1057- 5.4. Place the envelope bearing the affidavit into a 708
1058-mailing envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy of 709
1059-your identification in the mailing envelope. Mail (if time 710
1060-permits), deliver, or have delivered the completed affidavit 711
1061-along with the copy of your identification to your county 712
1062-supervisor of elections. Be sure there is sufficient postage if 713
1063-mailed and that the supervisor's address is correct. Remember, 714
1064-your information MUST reach your county supervisor of elections 715
1065-no later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day following the election or 716
1066-your ballot will not count. 717
1067- 6.5. Alternatively, you may fax or e -mail your completed 718
1068-affidavit and a copy of your identification to the supervisor of 719
1069-elections. If e-mailing, please provide these documents as 720
1070-attachments. 721
1071- 7.6. Submitting a provisional ballot affidavit does not 722
1072-establish your eligibility to vote in this elec tion or guarantee 723
1073-that your ballot will be counted. The county canvassing board 724
1074-determines your eligibility to vote through information provided 725
1075-
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1083-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1084-
1085-
1086-
1087-on the Provisional Ballot Voter's Certificate and Affirmation, 726
1088-written evidence provided by you, including info rmation in your 727
1089-cure affidavit along with any supporting identification, and any 728
1090-other evidence presented by the supervisor of elections or a 729
1091-challenger. You may still be required to present additional 730
1092-written evidence to support your eligibility to vote. 731
1093- Section 12. Subsection (1) of section 101.151, Florida 732
1094-Statutes, is amended to read: 733
1095- 101.151 Specifications for ballots. — 734
1096- (1)(a) Marksense Ballots must shall be printed on paper of 735
1097-such thickness that the printing cannot be distinguished from 736
1098-the back and must shall meet the specifications of the voting 737
1099-system that will be used to tabulate the ballots. 738
1100- (b) Polling places and early voting sites may employ a 739
1101-ballot-on-demand production system to print individual marksense 740
1102-ballots, including provisio nal ballots, for eligible electors. 741
1103-Ballot-on-demand technology may be used to produce marksense 742
1104-vote-by-mail, early voting, and election-day ballots. 743
1105- Section 13. Subsection (4) of section 101.5606, Florida 744
1106-Statutes, is amended to read: 745
1107- 101.5606 Requirements for approval of systems. —No 746
1108-electronic or electromechanical voting system shall be approved 747
1109-by the Department of State unless it is so constructed that: 748
1110- (4) For systems using marksense ballots, It accepts a 749
1111-rejected ballot pursuant to subsection (3) if a voter chooses to 750
1112-
1113-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1120-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1121-
1122-
1123-
1124-cast the ballot, but records no vote for any office that has 751
1125-been overvoted or undervoted. 752
1126- Section 14. Section 101.56075, Florida Statutes, is 753
1127-amended to read: 754
1128- 101.56075 Voting methods. —For the purpose of designating 755
1129-ballot selections, all voting must be by official marksense 756
1130-ballot, using a pen or marker recommended by the voting system 757
1131-vendor. Persons with disabilities may vote using marking device 758
1132-or a voter interface device that produces a voter -verifiable 759
1133-paper output and meets the voter accessibility requirements for 760
1134-individuals with disabilities under s. 301 of the federal Help 761
1135-America Vote Act of 2002 and s. 101.56062. 762
1136- Section 15. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 101.5608, 763
1137-Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 764
1138- 101.5608 Voting at the polls by electronic or 765
1139-electromechanical method ; procedures.— 766
1140- (2) When an electronic or electromechanical voting system 767
1141-utilizes a ballot card or marksense ballot, The following 768
1142-procedures must shall be followed to vote: 769
1143- (a) After receiving a ballot from an inspector, the voter 770
1144-elector shall, without leaving the polling place, retire to a 771
1145-booth or compartment and mark the ballot. After marking his or 772
1146-her ballot, the voter must elector shall place the ballot in a 773
1147-secrecy envelope so that the ballot will be deposited in the 774
1148-tabulator without exposing the voter's choices. 775
1149-
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1157-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1158-
1159-
1160-
1161- (b) Any voter who spoils his or her ballot or makes an 776
1162-error may return the ballot to the election official and secure 777
1163-another ballot, except that in no case sha ll a voter be 778
1164-furnished more than three ballots. If the vote tabulation device 779
1165-has rejected a ballot, the ballot must shall be considered 780
1166-spoiled and a new ballot must shall be provided to the voter 781
1167-unless the voter chooses to cast the rejected ballot. The 782
1168-election official, without examining the original ballot, shall 783
1169-state the possible reasons for the rejection and shall provide 784
1170-instruction to the voter pursuant to s. 101.5611. A spoiled 785
1171-ballot must shall be preserved, without examination, in an 786
1172-envelope provided for that purpose. The stub shall be removed 787
1173-from the ballot and placed in an envelope. 788
1174- (c) The supervisor of elections shall prepare for each 789
1175-polling place at least one ballot box to contain the ballots of 790
1176-a particular precinct, and each ballot box must shall be plainly 791
1177-marked with the name of the precinct for which it is intended. 792
1178- (3) The Department of State shall promulgate rules 793
1179-regarding voting procedures to be used when an electronic or 794
1180-electromechanical voting system is of a type which do es not 795
1181-utilize a ballot card or marksense ballot . 796
1182- Section 16. Subsection (5) of section 101.5612, Florida 797
1183-Statutes, is amended to read: 798
1184- 101.5612 Testing of tabulating equipment. — 799
1185- (5) Any tests involving marksense ballots pursuant to this 800
1186-
1187-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1194-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1195-
1196-
1197-
1198-section shall employ test ballots created by the supervisor of 801
1199-elections using actual ballots that have been printed for the 802
1200-election. If ballot-on-demand ballots will be used in the 803
1201-election, the supervisor shall also create test ballots using 804
1202-the ballot-on-demand technology that will be used to produce 805
1203-ballots in the election, using the same paper stock as will be 806
1204-used for ballots in the election. 807
1205- Section 17. Section 101.591, Florida Statutes, is amended 808
1206-to read: 809
1207- 101.591 Voting system automated independent vote 810
1208-validation process; system approval; procedures audit.— 811
1209- (1) Before Immediately following the certification of each 812
1210-election, the county canvassing board or the local board 813
1211-responsible for certifying the election shall conduct a manual 814
1212-audit or an automated, independent vote validation audit of the 815
1213-voting systems used in all randomly selected precincts. 816
1214- (2)(a) A manual audit shall consist of a public manual 817
1215-tally of the votes cast in one randomly selected race that 818
1216-appears on the ballot. The tally s heet shall include election -819
1217-day, vote-by-mail, early voting, provisional, and overseas 820
1218-ballots, in at least 1 percent but no more than 2 percent of the 821
1219-precincts chosen at random by the county canvassing board or the 822
1220-local board responsible for certifying the election. If 1 823
1221-percent of the precincts is less than one entire precinct, the 824
1222-audit shall be conducted using at least one precinct chosen at 825
1223-
1224-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1231-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1232-
1233-
1234-
1235-random by the county canvassing board or the local board 826
1236-responsible for certifying the election. Such precinct s shall be 827
1237-selected at a publicly noticed canvassing board meeting. 828
1238- (b) An automated independent vote validation process must 829
1239-audit shall consist of an a public automated verification of the 830
1240-tally of the votes cast across every race that appears on the 831
1241-ballot. The tally sheet must shall include all valid election 832
1242-day, vote-by-mail, early voting, provisional, and overseas 833
1243-ballots received by the start of the vote validation process in 834
1244-all at least 20 percent of the precincts chosen at random by the 835
1245-county canvassing board or the local board responsible for 836
1246-certifying the election. Such precincts shall be selected at a 837
1247-publicly noticed canvassing board meeting . 838
1248- (c) The division shall adopt rules for approval of an 839
1249-automated independent audit system which provide that the 840
1250-system, at a minimum, must be: 841
1251- (a)1. Completely independent of the primary voting system. 842
1252- (b)2. Fast enough to produce final vote validation audit 843
1253-results within the timeframe prescribed in subsection (4). 844
1254- (c)3. Capable of demonstrati ng that the ballots of record 845
1255-have been accurately adjudicated by the automated independent 846
1256-vote validation audit system in agreement with the vote 847
1257-tabulation system and is capable of allowing the canvassing 848
1258-board to manually adjudicate ballots of record. A canvassing 849
1259-board is not precluded from reviewing a digital image of a 850
1260-
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1268-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1269-
1270-
1271-
1272-ballot corresponding to a physical paper ballot in conducting 851
1273-its review. 852
1274- (3) The canvassing board shall publish notice on the 853
1275-county website as provided in s. 50.0311, on the superv isor of 854
1276-election's website, or once in one or more newspapers of general 855
1277-circulation in the county post a notice of the automated 856
1278-independent vote validation process audit, including the date, 857
1279-time, and place, in four conspicuous places in the county and o n 858
1280-the home page of the county supervisor of elections website . 859
1281-Such process shall be open to the public. 860
1282- (4) The automated independent vote validation process 861
1283-audit must be completed and the results made public before the 862
1284-certification of the election by each county canvassing board 863
1285-and in accordance with s. 102.141 no later than 11:59 p.m. on 864
1286-the 7th day following certification of the election by the 865
1287-county canvassing board or the local board responsible for 866
1288-certifying the election . 867
1289- (5) By December 15 of each general election year, the 868
1290-county canvassing board or the board responsible for certifying 869
1291-the election shall provide a report with the results of the 870
1292-automated independent vote validation audit to the Department of 871
1293-State in a standard format as pr escribed by the department. Each 872
1294-county's The report must be consolidated into one report and 873
1295-included with the overvote and undervote report required under 874
1296-s. 101.595(1). The report must, at a minimum, contain all of 875
1297-
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1305-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1306-
1307-
1308-
1309-shall contain, but is not limited to, the following items: 876
1310- (a) The overall agreement accuracy of automated 877
1311-independent vote validation audit. 878
1312- (b) A description of any problems or differences 879
1313-discrepancies encountered. 880
1314- (c) The likely cause of such problems or differences 881
1315-discrepancies. 882
1316- (d) Recommended corrective action with respect to avoiding 883
1317-or mitigating such circumstances in future elections. 884
1318- (6) The department shall consolidate the county automated 885
1319-independent vote validation results and include the results as 886
1320-part of a post-general election report required under ss. 887
1321-101.595 and 102.143 to the Governor, the President of the 888
1322-Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by 889
1323-February 15 of each year following a general election If a 890
1324-manual recount is undertaken pursuant to s. 102.166, the 891
1325-canvassing board is not required to perform the audit provided 892
1326-for in this section. 893
1327- Section 18. Section 101.5911, Florida Statutes, is amended 894
1328-to read: 895
1329- 101.5911 Rulemaking authority for automated independent 896
1330-vote validation voting system approval; audit procedures.—897
1331-Effective upon this act becoming a law, The department of State 898
1332-shall also adopt rules to implement the provisions of s. 899
1333-101.591, as amended by s. 8, chapter 2007 -30, Laws of Florida, 900
1334-
1335-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1337-
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1342-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1343-
1344-
1345-
1346-which provide for the testing and approval of an automated 901
1347-independent vote validation system, and prescribe detailed 902
1348-automated independent vote validation audit procedures for each 903
1349-voting system, which shall be uniform to the extent practicable, 904
1350-along with the standard form for automated independent vote 905
1351-validation system audit reports. 906
1352- Section 19. Section 101.595, Florida Statutes, is amended 907
1353-to read: 908
1354- 101.595 Analysis of overvotes and undervotes and reports 909
1355-of voting problems.— 910
1356- (1)(a) No later than December 15 of each general election 911
1357-year, the supervisor of elections in each county shall report to 912
1358-the Department of State the total number of overvotes and 913
1359-undervotes in the "President and Vice President" or "Governor 914
1360-and Lieutenant Governor" race that appears first on the ballot 915
1361-or, if neither appears, the first race appearing on the ballot 916
1362-pursuant to s. 101.151(2), along with the likely reasons for 917
1363-such overvotes and undervotes and other information as may be 918
1364-useful in evaluating the performance of the voting system and 919
1365-identifying problems with ballot design and instructions which 920
1366-may have contributed to voter confusion. This report must be 921
1367-consolidated into one report with the audit report required 922
1368-under s. 101.591(5). 923
1369- (b)(2) The Department of State, upon receipt of such 924
1370-information, shall prepare a public report on the performance of 925
1371-
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1379-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1380-
1381-
1382-
1383-each type of voting system. The report must contain, but is not 926
1384-limited to, the following information: 927
1385- 1.(a) An identification of problems with the ballot design 928
1386-or instructions which may have contributed to voter confusion; 929
1387- 2.(b) An identification of voting system design problems; 930
1388-and 931
1389- 3.(c) Recommendations for correcting any problems 932
1390-identified. 933
1391- (2)(3) The Department of State shall submit the overvote 934
1392-and undervote analysis required in subsection (1) as part of the 935
1393-post-general election report required under ss. 101.591 and 936
1394-102.143, to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the 937
1395-Speaker of the House of Representatives by February 15 of each 938
1396-year following a general election. 939
1397- Section 20. Subsections (2) and (4) of section 101.68, 940
1398-Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 941
1399- 101.68 Canvassing of vote -by-mail ballot.— 942
1400- (2)(a) The county canvassing board may begin the 943
1401-canvassing of vote-by-mail ballots upon the completion of the 944
1402-public testing of automatic tabulating equipment pursuant to s. 945
1403-101.5612(2), but must begin such canvassing by no later than 946
1404-noon on the day following the election. However, notwithstanding 947
1405-any such authorization to begin canvassing or otherwise 948
1406-processing vote-by-mail ballots early, no result may shall be 949
1407-released until after the closing of the polls in that county on 950
1408-
1409-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1416-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1417-
1418-
1419-
1420-election day. Any supervisor, deputy supervisor, canvassin g 951
1421-board member, election board member, or election employee who 952
1422-releases the results of a canvassing or processing of vote -by-953
1423-mail ballots before prior to the closing of the polls in that 954
1424-county on election day commits a felony of the third degree, 955
1425-punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 956
1426- (b) To ensure that all vote -by-mail ballots to be counted 957
1427-by the canvassing board are accounted for, the canvassing board 958
1428-shall compare the number of ballots in its possession with the 959
1429-number of requests for ballots received to be counted according 960
1430-to the supervisor's file or list. 961
1431- (c)1. The canvassing board must, if the supervisor has not 962
1432-already done so, compare the signature of the elector on the 963
1433-voter's certificate or on the vote -by-mail ballot cure affidavit 964
1434-as provided in subsection (4) with the signature of the elector 965
1435-in the registration books or the precinct register to see that 966
1436-the elector is duly registered in the county and to determine 967
1437-the legality of that vote -by-mail ballot. A vote-by-mail ballot 968
1438-may only be counted if: 969
1439- a. The signature on the voter's certificate or the cure 970
1440-affidavit matches the elector's signature in the registration 971
1441-books or precinct register; however, in the case of a cure 972
1442-affidavit, the supporting identificati on listed in subsection 973
1443-(4) must also confirm the identity of the elector; or 974
1444- b. The cure affidavit contains a signature that does not 975
1445-
1446-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1453-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1454-
1455-
1456-
1457-match the elector's signature in the registration books or 976
1458-precinct register, but the elector has submitted a current a nd 977
1459-valid Tier 1 identification pursuant to subsection (4) which 978
1460-confirms the identity of the elector. 979
1461- 980
1462-For purposes of this subparagraph, any canvassing board finding 981
1463-that an elector's signatures do not match must be by majority 982
1464-vote and beyond a reasonabl e doubt. 983
1465- 2. The ballot of an elector who casts a vote -by-mail 984
1466-ballot shall be counted even if the elector dies on or before 985
1467-election day, as long as, before the death of the voter, the 986
1468-ballot was postmarked by the United States Postal Service, date -987
1469-stamped with a verifiable tracking number by a common carrier, 988
1470-or already in the possession of the supervisor. 989
1471- 3. A vote-by-mail ballot is not considered illegal if the 990
1472-signature of the elector does not cross the seal of the mailing 991
1473-envelope. 992
1474- 4. If any elector or candidate present believes that a 993
1475-vote-by-mail ballot is illegal due to a defect apparent on the 994
1476-voter's certificate or the cure affidavit, he or she may, at any 995
1477-time before the ballot is removed from the envelope, file with 996
1478-the canvassing board a p rotest against the canvass of that 997
1479-ballot, specifying the precinct, the voter's certificate or the 998
1480-cure affidavit, and the reason he or she believes the ballot to 999
1481-be illegal. A protest challenge based upon a defect in the 1000
1482-
1483-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1490-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1491-
1492-
1493-
1494-voter's certificate or cure affida vit may not be accepted after 1001
1495-the ballot has been removed from the mailing envelope. 1002
1496- 5. If the canvassing board determines that a ballot is 1003
1497-illegal, a member of the board must, without opening the 1004
1498-envelope, mark across the face of the envelope: "rejected as 1005
1499-illegal." The cure affidavit, if applicable, the envelope, and 1006
1500-the ballot therein shall be preserved in the manner that 1007
1501-official ballots are preserved. 1008
1502- (d) The canvassing board shall record the ballot upon the 1009
1503-proper record, unless the ballot has bee n previously recorded by 1010
1504-the supervisor. The mailing envelopes must shall be opened and 1011
1505-the secrecy envelopes must shall be mixed so as to make it 1012
1506-impossible to determine which secrecy envelope came out of which 1013
1507-signed mailing envelope; however, in any cou nty in which an 1014
1508-electronic or electromechanical voting system is used, the 1015
1509-ballots may be sorted by ballot styles and the mailing envelopes 1016
1510-may be opened and the secrecy envelopes mixed separately for 1017
1511-each ballot style. The votes on vote -by-mail ballots must shall 1018
1512-be included in the total vote of the county. 1019
1513- (4)(a) As soon as practicable, the supervisor shall, on 1020
1514-behalf of the county canvassing board, attempt to notify an 1021
1515-elector who has returned a vote -by-mail ballot that does not 1022
1516-include the elector's s ignature or contains a signature that 1023
1517-does not match the elector's signature in the registration books 1024
1518-or precinct register by: 1025
1519-
1520-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1527-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1528-
1529-
1530-
1531- 1. Notifying the elector of the signature deficiency by e -1026
1532-mail and directing the elector to the cure affidavit and 1027
1533-instructions on the supervisor's website; 1028
1534- 2. Notifying the elector of the signature deficiency by 1029
1535-text message and directing the elector to the cure affidavit and 1030
1536-instructions on the supervisor's website; or 1031
1537- 3. Notifying the elector of the signature deficiency by 1032
1538-telephone and directing the elector to the cure affidavit and 1033
1539-instructions on the supervisor's website. 1034
1540- 1035
1541-In addition to the notification required under subparagraph 1., 1036
1542-subparagraph 2., or subparagraph 3., the supervisor must notify 1037
1543-the elector of the sig nature deficiency by first -class mail and 1038
1544-direct the elector to the cure affidavit and instructions on the 1039
1545-supervisor's website. Beginning the day before the election, the 1040
1546-supervisor is not required to provide notice of the signature 1041
1547-deficiency by first-class mail, but shall continue to provide 1042
1548-notice as required under subparagraph 1., subparagraph 2., or 1043
1549-subparagraph 3. 1044
1550- (b) The supervisor shall allow such an elector to complete 1045
1551-and submit an affidavit in order to cure the vote -by-mail ballot 1046
1552-until 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election. 1047
1553- (c) The elector must complete a cure affidavit in 1048
1554-substantially the following form: 1049
1555- 1050
1556-
1557-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1564-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1565-
1566-
1567-
1568-VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT CURE AFFIDAVIT 1051
1569- 1052
1570- I, ...., am a qualified voter in this election and 1053
1571-registered voter of .... County, Florida. I d o solemnly swear or 1054
1572-affirm that I requested and returned the vote -by-mail ballot and 1055
1573-that I have not and will not vote more than one ballot in this 1056
1574-election. I understand that if I commit or attempt any fraud in 1057
1575-connection with voting, vote a fraudulent ba llot, or vote more 1058
1576-than once in an election, I may be convicted of a felony of the 1059
1577-third degree and fined up to $5,000 and imprisoned for up to 5 1060
1578-years. I understand that my failure to sign this affidavit means 1061
1579-that my vote-by-mail ballot will be invalidat ed. 1062
1580- 1063
1581-...(Voter's Signature)... 1064
1582-...(Address)... 1065
1583- 1066
1584- (d) Instructions must accompany the cure affidavit in 1067
1585-substantially the following form: 1068
1586- 1069
1587- READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE 1070
1588-AFFIDAVIT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR 1071
1589-BALLOT NOT TO COUNT. 1072
1590- 1073
1591- 1. In order to ensure that your vote -by-mail ballot will 1074
1592-be counted, your affidavit should be completed and returned as 1075
1593-
1594-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1596-
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1601-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1602-
1603-
1604-
1605-soon as possible so that it can reach the supervisor of 1076
1606-elections of the county in which your precinct is l ocated no 1077
1607-later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election. 1078
1608- 2. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter's 1079
1609-Signature). 1080
1610- 3. You must make a copy of one of the following forms of 1081
1611-identification: 1082
1612- a. Tier 1 identification. —Current and valid iden tification 1083
1613-that includes your name and photograph: Florida driver license; 1084
1614-Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway 1085
1615-Safety and Motor Vehicles; United States passport or passport 1086
1616-card; United States Uniformed Services or Merchant Mari ne; debit 1087
1617-or credit card; military identification; student identification; 1088
1618-retirement center identification; neighborhood association 1089
1619-identification; public assistance identification; veteran health 1090
1620-identification card issued by the United States Departmen t of 1091
1621-Veterans Affairs; a Florida license to carry a concealed weapon 1092
1622-or firearm; or any an employee identification card issued by any 1093
1623-branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, 1094
1624-the state, a county, or a municipality; or 1095
1625- b. Tier 2 identification.—ONLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TIER 1 1096
1626-FORM OF IDENTIFICATION, identification that shows your name and 1097
1627-current residence address: current utility bill, bank statement, 1098
1628-government check, paycheck, or government document (excluding 1099
1629-voter information card). 1100
1630-
1631-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1638-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1639-
1640-
1641-
1642- 4. Place the envelope bearing the affidavit into a mailing 1101
1643-envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy of your 1102
1644-identification in the mailing envelope. Mail (if time permits), 1103
1645-deliver, or have delivered the completed affidavit along with 1104
1646-the copy of your identification to your county supervisor of 1105
1647-elections. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed and 1106
1648-that the supervisor's address is correct. Remember, your 1107
1649-information MUST reach your county supervisor of elections no 1108
1650-later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election, or your 1109
1651-ballot will not count. 1110
1652- 5. Alternatively, you may fax or e -mail your completed 1111
1653-affidavit and a copy of your identification to the supervisor of 1112
1654-elections. If e-mailing, please provide these documents as 1113
1655-attachments. 1114
1656- 1115
1657- (e) The department and each supervisor shall include the 1116
1658-affidavit and instructions on their respective websites. The 1117
1659-supervisor must include his or her office's mailing address, e -1118
1660-mail address, and fax number on the page containing the 1119
1661-affidavit instructions, and the department's instruction page 1120
1662-must include the office mailing addresses, e -mail addresses, and 1121
1663-fax numbers of all supervisors of elections or provide a 1122
1664-conspicuous link to such addresses. 1123
1665- (f) The supervisor shall attach each affidavi t received to 1124
1666-the appropriate vote -by-mail ballot mailing envelope. 1125
1667-
1668-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1675-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1676-
1677-
1678-
1679- (g) If a vote-by-mail ballot is validated following the 1126
1680-submission of a cure affidavit, the supervisor must shall make a 1127
1681-copy of the affidavit, affix it to a voter registration 1128
1682-application, and immediately process it as a valid request for a 1129
1683-signature update pursuant to s. 98.077. 1130
1684- (h) After all election results on the ballot have been 1131
1685-certified, the supervisor shall, on behalf of the county 1132
1686-canvassing board, notify each elector whose ba llot has been 1133
1687-rejected as illegal and provide the specific reason the ballot 1134
1688-was rejected. In addition, unless processed as a signature 1135
1689-update pursuant to paragraph (g), the supervisor must shall mail 1136
1690-a voter registration application to the elector to be c ompleted 1137
1691-indicating the elector's current signature if the signature on 1138
1692-the voter's certificate or cure affidavit did not match the 1139
1693-elector's signature in the registration books or precinct 1140
1694-register. 1141
1695- Section 21. Subsection (2) of section 101.6923, Flor ida 1142
1696-Statutes, is amended to read: 1143
1697- 101.6923 Special vote -by-mail ballot instructions for 1144
1698-certain first-time voters.— 1145
1699- (2) A voter covered by this section must be provided with 1146
1700-printed instructions with his or her vote -by-mail ballot in 1147
1701-substantially the following form: 1148
1702- 1149
1703-READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE MARKING YOUR 1150
1704-
1705-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1707-
1708-
1709-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1710-hb1381-01-c1
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1712-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1713-
1714-
1715-
1716-BALLOT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE 1151
1717-YOUR BALLOT NOT TO COUNT. 1152
1718- 1153
1719- 1. In order to ensure that your vote -by-mail ballot will 1154
1720-be counted, it should be completed and retur ned as soon as 1155
1721-possible so that it can reach the supervisor of elections of the 1156
1722-county in which your precinct is located no later than 7 p.m. on 1157
1723-the date of the election. However, if you are an overseas voter 1158
1724-casting a ballot in a presidential preference p rimary or general 1159
1725-election, your vote-by-mail ballot must be postmarked or dated 1160
1726-no later than the date of the election and received by the 1161
1727-supervisor of elections of the county in which you are 1162
1728-registered to vote no later than 10 days after the date of th e 1163
1729-election. Note that the later you return your ballot, the less 1164
1730-time you will have to cure signature deficiencies, which is 1165
1731-authorized until 5 p.m. local time on the 2nd day after the 1166
1732-election. 1167
1733- 2. Mark your ballot in secret as instructed on the ballot. 1168
1734-You must mark your own ballot unless you are unable to do so 1169
1735-because of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write. 1170
1736- 3. Mark only the number of candidates or issue choices for 1171
1737-a race as indicated on the ballot. If you are allowed to "Vote 1172
1738-for One" candidate and you vote for more than one, your vote in 1173
1739-that race will not be counted. 1174
1740- 4. Place your marked ballot in the enclosed secrecy 1175
1741-
1742-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1744-
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1746-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1749-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1750-
1751-
1752-
1753-envelope and seal the envelope. 1176
1754- 5. Insert the secrecy envelope into the enclosed envelope 1177
1755-bearing the Voter's Certificate. Seal the envelope and 1178
1756-completely fill out the Voter's Certificate on the back of the 1179
1757-envelope. 1180
1758- a. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter's 1181
1759-Signature). 1182
1760- b. If you are an overseas voter, you must include the date 1183
1761-you signed the Voter's Certificate on the line above (Date) or 1184
1762-your ballot may not be counted. 1185
1763- c. A vote-by-mail ballot will be considered illegal and 1186
1764-will not be counted if the signature on the Voter's Certificate 1187
1765-does not match the signature on record. The signature on file at 1188
1766-the start of the canvass of the vote -by-mail ballots is the 1189
1767-signature that will be used to verify your signature on the 1190
1768-Voter's Certificate. If you need to update your signature for 1191
1769-this election, send your signature update on a voter 1192
1770-registration application to your supervisor of elections so that 1193
1771-it is received before your vote -by-mail ballot is received. 1194
1772- 6. Unless you meet one of the exemptions in Item 7., you 1195
1773-must make a copy of one of the following forms of 1196
1774-identification: 1197
1775- a. Identification which must include your name and 1198
1776-photograph: United States passport or passport card; United 1199
1777-States uniformed services or Merchant marine ; debit or credit 1200
1778-
1779-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1781-
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1786-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1787-
1788-
1789-
1790-card; military identification; student identification; 1201
1791-retirement center identification; neighborhoo d association 1202
1792-identification; public assistance identification; veteran health 1203
1793-identification card issued by the United States Department of 1204
1794-Veterans Affairs; a Florida license to carry a concealed weapon 1205
1795-or firearm; or any an employee identification card issued by any 1206
1796-branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, 1207
1797-the state, a county, or a municipality; or 1208
1798- b. Identification which shows your name and current 1209
1799-residence address: current utility bill, bank statement, 1210
1800-government check, paych eck, or government document (excluding 1211
1801-voter information card). 1212
1802- 7. The identification requirements of Item 6. do not apply 1213
1803-if you meet one of the following requirements: 1214
1804- a. You are 65 years of age or older. 1215
1805- b. You have a temporary or permanent physic al disability. 1216
1806- c. You are a member of a uniformed service on active duty 1217
1807-who, by reason of such active duty, will be absent from the 1218
1808-county on election day. 1219
1809- d. You are a member of the Merchant Marine who, by reason 1220
1810-of service in the Merchant Marine, wi ll be absent from the 1221
1811-county on election day. 1222
1812- e. You are the spouse or dependent of a member referred to 1223
1813-in paragraph c. or paragraph d. who, by reason of the active 1224
1814-duty or service of the member, will be absent from the county on 1225
1815-
1816-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1823-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1824-
1825-
1826-
1827-election day. 1226
1828- f. You are currently residing outside the United States. 1227
1829- 8. Place the envelope bearing the Voter's Certificate into 1228
1830-the mailing envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy 1229
1831-of your identification in the mailing envelope. DO NOT PUT YOUR 1230
1832-IDENTIFICATION INSIDE THE SECRECY ENVELOPE WITH THE BALLOT OR 1231
1833-INSIDE THE ENVELOPE WHICH BEARS THE VOTER'S CERTIFICATE OR YOUR 1232
1834-BALLOT WILL NOT COUNT. 1233
1835- 9. Mail, deliver, or have delivered the completed mailing 1234
1836-envelope. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed. 1235
1837- 10. FELONY NOTICE. It is a felony under Florida law to 1236
1838-accept any gift, payment, or gratuity in exchange for your vote 1237
1839-for a candidate. It is also a felony under Florida law to vote 1238
1840-in an election using a false identity or false address, or under 1239
1841-any other circumstances making your ballot false or fraudulent. 1240
1842- Section 22. Section 102.141, Florida Statutes, is amended 1241
1843-to read: 1242
1844- 102.141 County canvassing board; duties. — 1243
1845- (1) MEMBERSHIP.—The county canvassing board shall be 1244
1846-composed of the supervisor of electi ons; a county court judge, 1245
1847-appointed by the chief judge of the judicial circuit in which 1246
1848-the county is located, who shall act as chair; and the chair of 1247
1849-the board of county commissioners. The names of the canvassing 1248
1850-board members must be published on the s upervisor's website upon 1249
1851-completion of the logic and accuracy test. At least two 1250
1852-
1853-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1857-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1860-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1861-
1862-
1863-
1864-alternate canvassing board members must be appointed pursuant to 1251
1865-paragraph (b) (e). 1252
1866- (a) In the event any member of the county canvassing board 1253
1867-is unable to serve, is a candi date who has opposition in the 1254
1868-election being canvassed, or is an active participant , 1255
1869-including, but not limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to 1256
1870-in the campaign or candidacy of any candidate who has opposition 1257
1871-in the election being canvassed, or is an active participant 1258
1872-,including, but not limited to, publicly endorsing or donating 1259
1873-to the support or opposition of a public measure on the ballot 1260
1874-being canvassed, such member shall be replaced as follows: 1261
1875- 1.(a) If a county court judge is unable to serv e or if all 1262
1876-are disqualified, the chief judge of the judicial circuit in 1263
1877-which the county is located must appoint as a substitute member 1264
1878-a qualified voter elector of the county who is not a candidate 1265
1879-with opposition in the election being canvassed and who is not 1266
1880-an active participant , including, but not limited to, publicly 1267
1881-endorsing or donating to the support or opposition of in the 1268
1882-campaign or candidacy of any candidate with opposition in the 1269
1883-election being canvassed , or is an active participant, 1270
1884-including, but not limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to 1271
1885-the support or opposition of a public measure on the ballot 1272
1886-being canvassed. In such event, the members of the county 1273
1887-canvassing board shall meet and elect a chair. 1274
1888- 2.(b) If the supervisor of elect ions is unable to serve or 1275
1889-
1890-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1892-
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1894-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1897-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1898-
1899-
1900-
1901-is disqualified, the chair of the board of county commissioners 1276
1902-must appoint as a substitute member a member of the board of 1277
1903-county commissioners who is not a candidate with opposition in 1278
1904-the election being canvassed and who is n ot an active 1279
1905-participant, including, but not limited to, publicly endorsing 1280
1906-or donating to the support or opposition of in the campaign or 1281
1907-candidacy of any candidate with opposition in the election being 1282
1908-canvassed, or is an active participant, including, b ut not 1283
1909-limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to the support or 1284
1910-opposition of a public measure on the ballot being canvassed . 1285
1911-The supervisor, however, shall act in an advisory capacity to 1286
1912-the canvassing board. 1287
1913- 3.(c) If the chair of the board of count y commissioners is 1288
1914-unable to serve or is disqualified, the board of county 1289
1915-commissioners must appoint as a substitute member one of its 1290
1916-members who is not a candidate with opposition in the election 1291
1917-being canvassed and who is not an active participant , including, 1292
1918-but not limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to the 1293
1919-support or opposition of in the campaign or candidacy of any 1294
1920-candidate with opposition in the election being canvassed , or is 1295
1921-an active participant, including, but not limited to, publicly 1296
1922-endorsing or donating to the support or opposition of a public 1297
1923-measure on the ballot being canvassed . 1298
1924- (d) If a substitute member or alternate member cannot be 1299
1925-appointed as provided elsewhere in this subsection, or in the 1300
1926-
1927-CS/HB 1381 2025
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1929-
1930-
1931-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1934-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1935-
1936-
1937-
1938-event of a vacancy in such office, the chief judge of the 1301
1939-judicial circuit in which the county is located must appoint as 1302
1940-a substitute member or alternate member a qualified elector of 1303
1941-the county who is not a candidate with opposition in the 1304
1942-election being canvassed and who is not an activ e participant in 1305
1943-the campaign or candidacy of any candidate with opposition in 1306
1944-the election being canvassed. 1307
1945- (b)1.(e)1. The chief judge of the judicial circuit in 1308
1946-which the county is located shall appoint a county court judge 1309
1947-as an alternate member of th e county canvassing board or, if 1310
1948-each county court judge is unable to serve or is disqualified, 1311
1949-shall appoint an alternate member who is qualified to serve as a 1312
1950-substitute member under paragraph (a). Any alternate may serve 1313
1951-in any seat. 1314
1952- 2. The chair of the board of county commissioners shall 1315
1953-appoint a member of the board of county commissioners as an 1316
1954-alternate member of the county canvassing board or, if each 1317
1955-member of the board of county commissioners is unable to serve 1318
1956-or is disqualified, shall appoint an alternate member who is 1319
1957-qualified to serve as a substitute member under paragraph (d). 1320
1958- 3. If a member of the county canvassing board is unable to 1321
1959-participate in a meeting of the board, the chair of the county 1322
1960-canvassing board or his or her designee must designate which 1323
1961-alternate member will serve as a member of the board in the 1324
1962-place of the member who is unable to participate at that 1325
1963-
1964-CS/HB 1381 2025
1965-
1966-
1967-
1968-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1971-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1972-
1973-
1974-
1975-meeting. 1326
1976- 4. If not serving as one of the three members of the 1327
1977-county canvassing board, an alternate member may be present, 1328
1978-observe, and communicate with the three members constituting the 1329
1979-county canvassing boa rd, but may not vote in the board's 1330
1980-decisions or determinations. 1331
1981- (c) If a substitute member or alternate member cannot be 1332
1982-appointed as provided in this subsection, or in the event of a 1333
1983-vacancy in such office, the chief judge of the judicial circuit 1334
1984-in which the county is located must appoint as a substitute 1335
1985-member or alternate member a qualified voter of the county who 1336
1986-is not a candidate with opposition in the election being 1337
1987-canvassed and who is not an active participant, including 1338
1988-endorsing, supporting, or donating, in the campaign or candidacy 1339
1989-of a candidate who has opposition in the election being 1340
1990-canvassed or in the support or opposition of a public measure on 1341
1991-the ballot being canvassed. 1342
1992- (2) IDENTIFICATION. —Each member, substitute member, and 1343
1993-alternate member of the county canvassing board and all clerical 1344
1994-help must wear identification badges during any period in which 1345
1995-the county canvassing board is canvassing votes or engaging in 1346
1996-other official duties. The identification badges must be worn in 1347
1997-a conspicuous or unobstructed area and include the name of the 1348
1998-individual and his or her official position. 1349
1999- (3) LEGAL REPRESENTATION. —The county canvassing board 1350
2000-
2001-CS/HB 1381 2025
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2003-
2004-
2005-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2006-hb1381-01-c1
2007-Page 55 of 77
2008-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2009-
2010-
2011-
2012-shall retain legal counsel, which may be the county attorney. 1351
2013- (4)(2) PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE. — 1352
2014- (a) The county canvassing board shall meet in a building 1353
2015-accessible to the public in the county where the election 1354
2016-occurred at a time and place to be designated by the supervisor 1355
2017-to publicly canvass the absent voters' electors' ballots as 1356
2018-provided for in s. 101.68 and provisional ballots as provided by 1357
2019-ss. 101.048, 101.049, and 101.6925. During each meeting of the 1358
2020-county canvassing board, each political party and each candidate 1359
2021-may have one observer watcher able to view directly or on a 1360
2022-display screen ballot s being examined for signature matching and 1361
2023-other processes. Provisional ballots cast pursuant to s. 101.049 1362
2024-shall be canvassed in a manner that votes for candidates and 1363
2025-issues on those ballots can be segregated from other votes. As 1364
2026-soon as the voters' absent electors' ballots and the provisional 1365
2027-ballots are canvassed, the board shall proceed to publicly 1366
2028-canvass the vote given each candidate, nominee, constitutional 1367
2029-amendment, or other measure submitted to the electorate of the 1368
2030-county, as shown by the retur ns then on file in the office of 1369
2031-the supervisor. 1370
2032- (b) Public notice of the canvassing board members, 1371
2033-alternates, time, and place at which the county canvassing board 1372
2034-shall meet to canvass the voters' absent electors' ballots and 1373
2035-provisional ballots must b e given at least 48 hours prior 1374
2036-thereto by publication on the county's website as provided in s. 1375
2037-
2038-CS/HB 1381 2025
2039-
2040-
2041-
2042-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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2045-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2046-
2047-
2048-
2049-50.0311, on the supervisor's website, or in one or more 1376
2050-newspapers of general circulation in the county. If the 1377
2051-applicable website becomes unavailable or there is no newspaper 1378
2052-of general circulation in the county, the notice must be posted 1379
2053-in at least four conspicuous places in the county. The time 1380
2054-given in the notice as to the convening of the meeting of the 1381
2055-county canvassing board must be specific and may not be a time 1382
2056-period during which the board may meet. 1383
2057- (c) If the county canvassing board suspends or recesses a 1384
2058-meeting publicly noticed pursuant to paragraph (b) for a period 1385
2059-lasting more than 60 minutes, the board must post on the 1386
2060-supervisor's website the anticipated time at which the board 1387
2061-expects to reconvene. If the county canvassing board does not 1388
2062-reconvene at the specified time, the board must provide at least 1389
2063-2 hours' notice, which must be posted on the supervisor's 1390
2064-website, before reconvening. 1391
2065- (d) During any meeting of the county canvassing board, a 1392
2066-physical notice must be placed in a conspicuous area near the 1393
2067-public entrance to the building in which the meeting is taking 1394
2068-place. The physical notice must include the names of the 1395
2069-individuals officiall y serving as the county canvassing board, 1396
2070-the names of any alternate members, the time of the meeting, and 1397
2071-a brief statement as to the anticipated activities of the county 1398
2072-canvassing board. 1399
2073- (5)(3) CANVASS OF RETURNS AND PROVISIONAL BALLOTS. —The 1400
2074-
2075-CS/HB 1381 2025
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2077-
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2079-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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2082-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2083-
2084-
2085-
2086-canvass, except the canvass of voters' absent electors' returns 1401
2087-and the canvass of provisional ballots, must shall be made from 1402
2088-the returns and certificates of the inspectors as signed and 1403
2089-filed by them with the supervisor, and the county canvassing 1404
2090-board may shall not change the number of votes cast for a 1405
2091-candidate, nominee, constitutional amendment, or other measure 1406
2092-submitted to the electorate of the county, respectively, in any 1407
2093-polling place, as shown by the returns. All returns must shall 1408
2094-be made to the board on or before 2 a.m. of the day following 1409
2095-any primary, general, or other election. If the returns from any 1410
2096-precinct are missing, if there are any omissions on the returns 1411
2097-from any precinct, or if there is an obvious error on any such 1412
2098-returns, the canvassing b oard must shall order a retabulation of 1413
2099-the returns from such precinct. Before canvassing such returns, 1414
2100-the canvassing board shall examine the tabulation of the ballots 1415
2101-cast in such precinct and determine whether the returns 1416
2102-correctly reflect the votes cast. If there is a discrepancy 1417
2103-between the returns and the tabulation of the ballots cast, the 1418
2104-tabulation of the ballots cast must shall be presumed correct 1419
2105-and such votes shall be canvassed accordingly. 1420
2106- (6)(4) PRELIMINARY RESULTS. — 1421
2107- (a) The supervisor of elections shal l upload into the 1422
2108-county's election management system by 7 p.m. local time on the 1423
2109-day before the election the results of all early voting and 1424
2110-vote-by-mail ballots that have been canvassed and tabulated by 1425
2111-
2112-CS/HB 1381 2025
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2114-
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2119-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2120-
2121-
2122-
2123-the end of the early voting period. Pursuant to ss. 101.5614(8), 1426
2124-101.657, and 101.68(2), the tabulation of votes cast or the 1427
2125-results of such uploads may not be made public before the close 1428
2126-of the polls on election day. 1429
2127- (b) The supervisor of elections, on behalf of the 1430
2128-canvassing board, shall report all early voting and all 1431
2129-tabulated vote-by-mail results to the Department of State within 1432
2130-30 minutes after the polls close. Thereafter, the canvassing 1433
2131-board shall report, with the exception of provisional ballot 1434
2132-results, updated precinct election results must be uploaded to 1435
2133-the department at least every 45 minutes until all results are 1436
2134-completely reported. The supervisor of elections shall notify 1437
2135-the department immediately of any circumstances that do not 1438
2136-permit periodic updates as required. Results must shall be 1439
2137-submitted in a format prescribed by the department. 1440
2138- (7)(5) UNOFFICIAL RETURNS.— 1441
2139- (a) The canvassing board shall submit on forms or in 1442
2140-formats provided by the division unofficial returns to the 1443
2141-Department of State for each federal, statewide, state, or 1444
2142-multicounty office or ballot measure no later than noon on the 1445
2143-third day after any primary election and no later than noon on 1446
2144-the fourth day after any general or other election. Such returns 1447
2145-must shall include the canvass of all ballots , including write-1448
2146-in votes, as required by subsection (5) (2). 1449
2147- (b) After unofficial results are reported, each county 1450
2148-
2149-CS/HB 1381 2025
2150-
2151-
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2156-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2157-
2158-
2159-
2160-shall conduct an automated independent vote validation process 1451
2161-to validate that the votes processed through the vote tabulation 1452
2162-system for a candidate for any office, candidate for retention 1453
2163-to a judicial office, or a measure appearing on the ballot do 1454
2164-not: 1455
2165- 1. Have a discrepancy of more than one -half of one percent 1456
2166-when compared to the results of the automated independent vote 1457
2167-validation system; or 1458
2168- 2. Result in a change in the outcome of the contest. 1459
2169- 1460
2170-The automated independent vote validation process must be 1461
2171-completed by no later than noon on the 6th day after any primary 1462
2172-election and no later than noon on the 7th day after any general 1463
2173-or other election. 1464
2174- (c)(6) If the county canvassing board determines , after 1465
2175-the county conducts the automated independent vote validation 1466
2176-process in accordance with s. 101.591 and the comparison of the 1467
2177-results of the vote tabulation and the automated independent 1468
2178-vote validation indicates, that the unofficial returns may 1469
2179-contain a counting error in which the vote tabulation system or 1470
2180-the automated independent vote validation system failed to count 1471
2181-votes that were properly marked in accordance with the 1472
2182-instructions on the ball ot, the county canvassing board shall: 1473
2183- 1.(a) Correct the error and retabulate the affected 1474
2184-ballots with the vote tabulation system or the automated 1475
2185-
2186-CS/HB 1381 2025
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2188-
2189-
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2191-hb1381-01-c1
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2193-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2194-
2195-
2196-
2197-independent vote validation system ; or 1476
2198- 2.(b) Request that the Department of State verify the 1477
2199-tabulation software of the affected system . When the Department 1478
2200-of State verifies such software, the department shall compare 1479
2201-the software used to tabulate the votes with the software filed 1480
2202-with the department pursuant to s. 101.5607 and check the 1481
2203-election parameters. 1482
2204- (8) SYSTEM VALIDATION REVIEW. — 1483
2205- (a)(7) If the comparison of the results of the vote 1484
2206-tabulation system and the automated independent vote validation 1485
2207-system reflects a difference as described in paragraph (7)(b), 1486
2208-the proper county election official unde r the oversight of the 1487
2209-county canvassing board must conduct a system validation review 1488
2210-using the images in the automated independent vote validation 1489
2211-system of the ballots in disagreement, which must include, but 1490
2212-is not limited to, a review of any clear ove rvotes or undervotes 1491
2213-that appear in the automated independent vote validation system 1492
2214-to adjudicate the voter intent of such ballots before 1493
2215-certification of the county's official results unofficial 1494
2216-returns reflect that a candidate for any office was defeate d or 1495
2217-eliminated by one-half of a percent or less of the votes cast 1496
2218-for such office, that a candidate for retention to a judicial 1497
2219-office was retained or not retained by one -half of a percent or 1498
2220-less of the votes cast on the question of retention, or that a 1499
2221-measure appearing on the ballot was approved or rejected by one -1500
2222-
2223-CS/HB 1381 2025
2224-
2225-
2226-
2227-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2228-hb1381-01-c1
2229-Page 61 of 77
2230-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2231-
2232-
2233-
2234-half of a percent or less of the votes cast on such measure, a 1501
2235-recount shall be ordered of the votes cast with respect to such 1502
2236-office or measure. The Secretary of State is responsible for 1503
2237-ordering such system validation review recounts in races that 1504
2238-are federal or, state races that are, and multicounty, and any 1505
2239-other multicounty races. The county canvassing board or the 1506
2240-local board responsible for certifying the election is 1507
2241-responsible for ordering a system validation review under this 1508
2242-subsection recounts in all other races. A system validation 1509
2243-review recount need not be ordered with respect to the returns 1510
2244-for any office, however, if the candidate or candidates defeated 1511
2245-or eliminated from contention for such office by one -half of a 1512
2246-percent or less of the votes cast for such office request in 1513
2247-writing that a system validation review recount not be made. 1514
2248- (a) Each canvassing board responsible for conducting a 1515
2249-recount shall put each marksense ballot through automatic 1516
2250-tabulating equipment and determine whether the returns correctly 1517
2251-reflect the votes cast. If any marksense ballot is phy sically 1518
2252-damaged so that it cannot be properly counted by the automatic 1519
2253-tabulating equipment during the recount, a true duplicate shall 1520
2254-be made of the damaged ballot pursuant to the procedures in s. 1521
2255-101.5614(4). Immediately before the start of the recount, a test 1522
2256-of the tabulating equipment shall be conducted as provided in s. 1523
2257-101.5612. If the test indicates no error, the recount tabulation 1524
2258-of the ballots cast shall be presumed correct and such votes 1525
2259-
2260-CS/HB 1381 2025
2261-
2262-
2263-
2264-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2265-hb1381-01-c1
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2267-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2268-
2269-
2270-
2271-shall be canvassed accordingly. If an error is detected, t he 1526
2272-cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and the 1527
2273-recount repeated, as necessary. The canvassing board shall 1528
2274-immediately report the error, along with the cause of the error 1529
2275-and the corrective measures being taken, to the Department of 1530
2276-State. No later than 11 days after the election, the canvassing 1531
2277-board shall file a separate incident report with the Department 1532
2278-of State, detailing the resolution of the matter and identifying 1533
2279-any measures that will avoid a future recurrence of the error. 1534
2280-If the automatic tabulating equipment used in a recount is not 1535
2281-part of the voting system and the ballots have already been 1536
2282-processed through such equipment, the canvassing board is not 1537
2283-required to put each ballot through any automatic tabulating 1538
2284-equipment again. 1539
2285- (b) Each canvassing board responsible for conducting a 1540
2286-recount where touchscreen ballots were used shall examine the 1541
2287-counters on the precinct tabulators to ensure that the total of 1542
2288-the returns on the precinct tabulators equals the overall 1543
2289-election return. If there is a discrepancy between the overall 1544
2290-election return and the counters of the precinct tabulators, the 1545
2291-counters of the precinct tabulators shall be presumed correct 1546
2292-and such votes shall be canvassed accordingly. 1547
2293- (c) The canvassing board shall subm it on forms or in 1548
2294-formats provided by the division a second set of unofficial 1549
2295-returns to the Department of State for each federal, statewide, 1550
2296-
2297-CS/HB 1381 2025
2298-
2299-
2300-
2301-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2302-hb1381-01-c1
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2304-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2305-
2306-
2307-
2308-state, or multicounty office or ballot measure. The returns 1551
2309-shall be filed no later than 3 p.m. on the 5th day aft er any 1552
2310-primary election and no later than 3 p.m. on the 9th day after 1553
2311-any general election in which a recount was ordered by the 1554
2312-Secretary of State. If the canvassing board is unable to 1555
2313-complete the recount prescribed in this subsection by the 1556
2314-deadline, the second set of unofficial returns submitted by the 1557
2315-canvassing board shall be identical to the initial unofficial 1558
2316-returns and the submission shall also include a detailed 1559
2317-explanation of why it was unable to timely complete the recount. 1560
2318-However, the canvass ing board shall complete the recount 1561
2319-prescribed in this subsection, along with any manual recount 1562
2320-prescribed in s. 102.166, and certify election returns in 1563
2321-accordance with the requirements of this chapter. 1564
2322- (d) The Department of State shall adopt detailed rules 1565
2323-prescribing additional recount procedures for each certified 1566
2324-voting system, which shall be uniform to the extent practicable. 1567
2325- (b)(8) The canvassing board may employ such clerical help 1568
2326-to assist with the work of the board as it deems necessary, wit h 1569
2327-at least one member of the board present at all times, until the 1570
2328-canvass of the returns is completed. The clerical help must 1571
2329-shall be paid from the same fund as inspectors and other 1572
2330-necessary election officials. 1573
2331- (c) The canvassing board shall publish n otice on the 1574
2332-county website as provided in s. 50.0311, on the supervisor of 1575
2333-
2334-CS/HB 1381 2025
2335-
2336-
2337-
2338-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2339-hb1381-01-c1
2340-Page 64 of 77
2341-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2342-
2343-
2344-
2345-elections' website, or once in one or more newspapers of general 1576
2346-circulation in the county of the system validation review, 1577
2347-including the date, time, and place. Such review is open to the 1578
2348-public. 1579
2349- (d) The canvassing board shall submit on forms or in 1580
2350-formats provided by the division a vote validation report to the 1581
2351-department for each federal, statewide, state, or multicounty 1582
2352-office or ballot measure in accordance with paragraph (7)( b). If 1583
2353-the canvassing board is unable to complete the system validation 1584
2354-review by the deadline, the vote validation report submitted by 1585
2355-the canvassing board must be identical to the initial unofficial 1586
2356-returns and the submission must also include a detailed 1587
2357-explanation of the reason the board was unable to timely 1588
2358-complete the system validation review. However, the canvassing 1589
2359-board shall complete the system validation review prescribed in 1590
2360-this subsection, along with any manual review prescribed and 1591
2361-certify official election returns, in accordance with the 1592
2362-requirements of this chapter. 1593
2363- (e) The department shall adopt detailed rules prescribing 1594
2364-additional system validation review procedures for each 1595
2365-certified voting system, which must be uniform to the extent 1596
2366-practicable. 1597
2367- (9) Each member, substitute member, and alternate member 1598
2368-of the county canvassing board and all clerical help must wear 1599
2369-identification badges during any period in which the county 1600
2370-
2371-CS/HB 1381 2025
2372-
2373-
2374-
2375-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2376-hb1381-01-c1
2377-Page 65 of 77
2378-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2379-
2380-
2381-
2382-canvassing board is canvassing votes or engaging in other 1601
2383-official duties. The identification badges should be worn in a 1602
2384-conspicuous and unobstructed area, and include the name of the 1603
2385-individual and his or her official position. 1604
2386- (10)(a) The supervisor shall file a report with the 1605
2387-Division of Elections on the conduc t of the election no later 1606
2388-than 20 business days after the Elections Canvassing Commission 1607
2389-certifies the election. The report must, at a minimum, describe 1608
2390-all of the following: 1609
2391- 1. All equipment or software malfunctions at the precinct 1610
2392-level, at a counting location, or within computer and 1611
2393-telecommunications networks supporting a county location, and 1612
2394-the steps that were taken to address the malfunctions. 1613
2395- 2. All election definition errors that were discovered 1614
2396-after the logic and accuracy test, and the step s that were taken 1615
2397-to address the errors. 1616
2398- 3. All ballot printing errors, vote -by-mail ballot mailing 1617
2399-errors, or ballot supply problems, and the steps that were taken 1618
2400-to address the errors or problems. 1619
2401- 4. All staffing shortages or procedural violations b y 1620
2402-employees or precinct workers which were addressed by the 1621
2403-supervisor of elections or the county canvassing board during 1622
2404-the conduct of the election, and the steps that were taken to 1623
2405-correct such issues. 1624
2406- 5. All instances where needs for staffing or equi pment 1625
2407-
2408-CS/HB 1381 2025
2409-
2410-
2411-
2412-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2413-hb1381-01-c1
2414-Page 66 of 77
2415-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2416-
2417-
2418-
2419-were insufficient to meet the needs of the voters. 1626
2420- 6. Any additional information regarding material issues or 1627
2421-problems associated with the conduct of the election. 1628
2422- (b) If a supervisor discovers new or additional 1629
2423-information on any of the items re quired to be included in the 1630
2424-report pursuant to paragraph (a) after the report is filed, the 1631
2425-supervisor must notify the division that new information has 1632
2426-been discovered no later than the next business day after the 1633
2427-discovery, and the supervisor must file an amended report signed 1634
2428-by the supervisor of elections on the conduct of the election 1635
2429-within 10 days after the discovery. 1636
2430- (c) Such reports must be maintained on file in the 1637
2431-Division of Elections and must be available for public 1638
2432-inspection. 1639
2433- (d) The division shall review the conduct of election 1640
2434-reports to determine what problems may be likely to occur in 1641
2435-other elections and disseminate such information, along with 1642
2436-possible solutions and training, to the supervisors of 1643
2437-elections. 1644
2438- (e) The department shal l submit the analysis of these 1645
2439-reports for the general election as part of the consolidated 1646
2440-reports required under ss. 101.591 and 101.595 to the Governor, 1647
2441-the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of 1648
2442-Representatives by February 15 of each year following a general 1649
2443-election. 1650
2444-
2445-CS/HB 1381 2025
2446-
2447-
2448-
2449-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2450-hb1381-01-c1
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2452-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2453-
2454-
2455-
2456- (11) The supervisor shall file with the department a copy 1651
2457-of or an export file from the results database of the county's 1652
2458-voting system and other statistical information as may be 1653
2459-required by the department, the Legislat ure, or the Election 1654
2460-Assistance Commission. The department shall adopt rules 1655
2461-establishing the required content and acceptable formats for the 1656
2462-filings and time for filings. 1657
2463- Section 23. Section 102.143, Florida Statutes, is created 1658
2464-to read: 1659
2465- 102.143 Conduct of election report. — 1660
2466- (1)(a) The supervisor shall file a report with the 1661
2467-division on the conduct of the election no later than 15 days 1662
2468-after the election. The report must, at a minimum, describe all 1663
2469-of the following: 1664
2470- 1. All equipment or software ma lfunctions at the precinct 1665
2471-level, at a counting location, or within computer and 1666
2472-telecommunications networks supporting a county location ; or 1667
2473-issues encountered with any state approved election system, 1668
2474-including, but not limited to, vote tabulation systems and 1669
2475-automated independent vote validation systems and the steps that 1670
2476-were taken to address the errors. 1671
2477- 2. All election definition errors that were discovered 1672
2478-after the logic and accuracy test, and the steps that were taken 1673
2479-to address the errors. 1674
2480- 3. All ballot printing errors, vote -by-mail ballot mailing 1675
2481-
2482-CS/HB 1381 2025
2483-
2484-
2485-
2486-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2487-hb1381-01-c1
2488-Page 68 of 77
2489-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2490-
2491-
2492-
2493-errors, or ballot supply problems and the steps that were taken 1676
2494-to address the errors or problems. 1677
2495- 4. All staffing shortages or procedural violations by 1678
2496-employees or precinct workers which were addressed by the 1679
2497-supervisor of elections or the county canvassing board during 1680
2498-the conduct of the election, and the steps that were taken to 1681
2499-correct such issues. 1682
2500- 5. All instances where the needs for staffing or equipment 1683
2501-were insufficient to meet the nee ds of the voters. 1684
2502- 6. Any additional information regarding material issues or 1685
2503-problems associated with the conduct of the election. 1686
2504- (b) If a supervisor discovers new or additional 1687
2505-information for any of the items required to be included in the 1688
2506-report pursuant to paragraph (a) after the report is filed, the 1689
2507-supervisor must notify the division that new information has 1690
2508-been discovered no later than the next business day after the 1691
2509-discovery, and the supervisor must file an amended report signed 1692
2510-by the supervisor of elections on the conduct of the election 1693
2511-within 10 days after the discovery. 1694
2512- (c) Such reports must be maintained on file in the 1695
2513-division and must be available for public inspection. 1696
2514- (2) The division shall review the conduct of election 1697
2515-reports to determine what problems may be likely to occur in 1698
2516-other elections and disseminate such information, along with 1699
2517-possible solutions and training, to the supervisors of 1700
2518-
2519-CS/HB 1381 2025
2520-
2521-
2522-
2523-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2524-hb1381-01-c1
2525-Page 69 of 77
2526-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2527-
2528-
2529-
2530-elections. 1701
2531- (3) For the general election, the department shall submit 1702
2532-the analysis of these reports as part of the post -general 1703
2533-election report required under ss. 101.591 and 101.595 to the 1704
2534-Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the 1705
2535-House of Representatives by February 15 of each year following a 1706
2536-general election. 1707
2537- Section 24. Section 102.166, Florida Statutes, is amended 1708
2538-to read: 1709
2539- 102.166 Manual review recounts of overvotes and 1710
2540-undervotes.— 1711
2541- (1) If the vote tabulation system indicates and automated 1712
2542-independent vote validation process second set of unofficial 1713
2543-returns pursuant to ss. 101.591 and 102.141 s. 102.141 confirms 1714
2544-indicates that a candidate for any office was defeated or 1715
2545-eliminated by one-quarter of a percent or less of the votes cast 1716
2546-for such office, that a candidate for retention to a judicial 1717
2547-office was retained or not retained by one -quarter of a percent 1718
2548-or less of the votes cast on the question of retention, or that 1719
2549-a measure appearing on the ballot was approved or rejected by 1720
2550-one-quarter of a percent or less of the votes cast on such 1721
2551-measure, a manual review recount of the overvotes and undervotes 1722
2552-cast in the entire geographic jurisdiction of such office or 1723
2553-ballot measure must shall be ordered and conducted in a manner 1724
2554-consistent with s. 102.141(8) unless: 1725
2555-
2556-CS/HB 1381 2025
2557-
2558-
2559-
2560-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2561-hb1381-01-c1
2562-Page 70 of 77
2563-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2564-
2565-
2566-
2567- (a) The candidate or candidates defeated or eliminated 1726
2568-from contention by one -quarter of 1 percent or fewer of the 1727
2569-votes cast for such office request in writing that a manual 1728
2570-review recount not be made; or 1729
2571- (b) The number of overvotes and un dervotes is fewer than 1730
2572-the number of votes needed to change the outcome of the 1731
2573-election. 1732
2574- 1733
2575-The Secretary of State is responsible for ordering such manual 1734
2576-reviews in races that are a manual recount for federal or, state 1735
2577-races that are multicounty , and any other multicounty races. The 1736
2578-county canvassing board or local board responsible for 1737
2579-certifying the election is responsible for ordering a manual 1738
2580-review recount for all other races. A manual review recount 1739
2581-consists of a review by a designee of the canvassing board 1740
2582-recount of paper marksense ballots or of digital images from an 1741
2583-independent vote validation system, if applicable of those 1742
2584-ballots by a person. 1743
2585- (2) Any hardware or software used to identify and sort 1744
2586-overvotes and undervotes for a given race or ballot measure must 1745
2587-be certified by the Department of State. Any such hardware or 1746
2588-software must be capable of simultaneously identifying and 1747
2589-sorting overvotes and undervotes in multiple races while 1748
2590-simultaneously counting votes. Overvotes and undervotes must be 1749
2591-identified and sorted while conducting the vote validation 1750
2592-
2593-CS/HB 1381 2025
2594-
2595-
2596-
2597-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2598-hb1381-01-c1
2599-Page 71 of 77
2600-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2601-
2602-
2603-
2604-process recounting ballots pursuant to s. 102.141. Overvotes and 1751
2605-undervotes may be identif ied and sorted physically or digitally. 1752
2606- (3) Any manual review is recount shall be open to the 1753
2607-public. Each political party may designate one person with 1754
2608-expertise in the computer field who must be allowed in the 1755
2609-central counting room when all tests are b eing conducted and 1756
2610-when the official votes are being counted. The designee may not 1757
2611-interfere with the normal operation of the canvassing board. 1758
2612- (4)(a) A vote for a candidate or ballot measure must shall 1759
2613-be counted if there is a clear indication on the ba llot that the 1760
2614-voter has made a definite choice. 1761
2615- (b) The Department of State shall adopt specific rules for 1762
2616-the federal write-in absentee ballot and for each certified 1763
2617-voting system prescribing what constitutes a "clear indication 1764
2618-on the ballot that the v oter has made a definite choice." The 1765
2619-rules must shall be consistent, to the extent practicable, and 1766
2620-may not: 1767
2621- 1. Authorize the use of any electronic or 1768
2622-electromechanical reading device to review a hybrid voting 1769
2623-system ballot that is produced using a vote r interface device 1770
2624-and that contains both machine -readable fields and machine -1771
2625-printed text of the contest titles and voter selections, unless 1772
2626-the printed text is illegible; 1773
2627- 2. Exclusively provide that the voter must properly mark 1774
2628-or designate his or her choice on the ballot; or 1775
2629-
2630-CS/HB 1381 2025
2631-
2632-
2633-
2634-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2635-hb1381-01-c1
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2637-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2638-
2639-
2640-
2641- 3. Contain a catch-all provision that fails to identify 1776
2642-specific standards, such as "any other mark or indication 1777
2643-clearly indicating that the voter has made a definite choice." 1778
2644- (c) The rule for the federal write -in absentee ballot must 1779
2645-address, at a minimum, the following issues: 1780
2646- 1. The appropriate lines or spaces for designating a 1781
2647-candidate choice and, for state and local races, the office or 1782
2648-ballot measure to be voted, including the proximity of each to 1783
2649-the other and the eff ect of intervening blank lines. 1784
2650- 2. The sufficiency of designating a candidate's first or 1785
2651-last name when no other candidate in the race has the same or a 1786
2652-similar name. 1787
2653- 3. The sufficiency of designating a candidate's first or 1788
2654-last name when an opposing c andidate has the same or a similar 1789
2655-name, notwithstanding generational suffixes and titles such as 1790
2656-"Jr.," "Sr.," or "III." The rule should contemplate the 1791
2657-sufficiency of additional first names and first initials, middle 1792
2658-names and middle initials, generation al suffixes and titles, 1793
2659-nicknames, and, in general elections, the name or abbreviation 1794
2660-of a political party. 1795
2661- 4. Candidate designations containing both a qualified 1796
2662-candidate's name and a political party, including those in which 1797
2663-the party designated is th e candidate's party, is not the 1798
2664-candidate's party, has an opposing candidate in the race, or 1799
2665-does not have an opposing candidate in the race. 1800
2666-
2667-CS/HB 1381 2025
2668-
2669-
2670-
2671-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2672-hb1381-01-c1
2673-Page 73 of 77
2674-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2675-
2676-
2677-
2678- 5. Situations where the abbreviation or name of a 1801
2679-candidate is the same as the abbreviation or name of a politic al 1802
2680-party to which the candidate does not belong, including those in 1803
2681-which the party designated has another candidate in the race or 1804
2682-does not have a candidate in the race. 1805
2683- 6. The use of marks, symbols, or language, such as arrows, 1806
2684-quotation marks, or the word "same" or "ditto," to indicate that 1807
2685-the same political party designation applies to all listed 1808
2686-offices or the elector's approval or disapproval of all listed 1809
2687-ballot measures. 1810
2688- 7. Situations in which an elector designates the name of a 1811
2689-qualified candidate for an incorrect office. 1812
2690- 8. Situations in which an elector designates an otherwise 1813
2691-correct office name that includes an incorrect district number. 1814
2692- (5) Procedures for a manual review recount are as follows: 1815
2693- (a) The county canvassing board shall a ppoint as many 1816
2694-counting teams of at least two electors as is necessary to 1817
2695-manually review recount the ballots. A counting team must have, 1818
2696-when possible, members of at least two political parties. A 1819
2697-candidate involved in the race shall not be a member of th e 1820
2698-counting team. 1821
2699- (b) Each duplicate ballot prepared pursuant to s. 1822
2700-101.5614(4) or s. 102.141(8) s. 102.141(7) shall be compared 1823
2701-with the original ballot to ensure the correctness of the 1824
2702-duplicate. 1825
2703-
2704-CS/HB 1381 2025
2705-
2706-
2707-
2708-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2709-hb1381-01-c1
2710-Page 74 of 77
2711-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2712-
2713-
2714-
2715- (c) If a counting team is unable to determine whether t he 1826
2716-ballot contains a clear indication that the voter has made a 1827
2717-definite choice, the ballot must shall be presented to the 1828
2718-county canvassing board for a determination. 1829
2719- (d) The Department of State shall adopt detailed rules 1830
2720-prescribing additional review recount procedures for each 1831
2721-certified voting system which must shall be uniform to the 1832
2722-extent practicable. The rules must, at a minimum, shall address, 1833
2723-at a minimum, the following areas: 1834
2724- 1. Security of ballots during the manual review recount 1835
2725-process; 1836
2726- 2. Time and place of manual reviews recounts; 1837
2727- 3. Public observance of manual reviews recounts; 1838
2728- 4. Objections to ballot determinations; 1839
2729- 5. Record of manual review recount proceedings; 1840
2730- 6. Procedures relating to candidate and petitioner 1841
2731-representatives; and 1842
2732- 7. Procedures relating to the certification and the use of 1843
2733-automatic tabulating equipment that is not part of a voting 1844
2734-system. 1845
2735- (6) Nothing in this section precludes a county canvassing 1846
2736-board or local board involved in the manual review recount from 1847
2737-comparing a digital image of a ballot to the corresponding 1848
2738-physical paper ballot during a manual review recount. 1849
2739- Section 25. Subsection (1) of section 104.42, Florida 1850
2740-
2741-CS/HB 1381 2025
2742-
2743-
2744-
2745-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2746-hb1381-01-c1
2747-Page 75 of 77
2748-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2749-
2750-
2751-
2752-Statutes, is amended to read: 1851
2753- 104.42 Fraudulent registration and illegal voting; 1852
2754-investigation.— 1853
2755- (1) The supervisor of elections is authorized to 1854
2756-investigate fraudulent registrations and illegal voting and must 1855
2757-to report his or her findings to the local state attorney and 1856
2758-the Office of Election Crimes and Security. 1857
2759- Section 26. Paragraph (b) of subsection (12) of section 1858
2760-106.08, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1859
2761- 106.08 Contributions; limitations on. — 1860
2762- (12) 1861
2763- (b) A foreign national may not make or offer to make, 1862
2764-directly or indirectly, a contribution or expenditure in 1863
2765-connection with any election held in the state or in connection 1864
2766-with a constitutional amendment proposed by initiative. A 1865
2767-political party, a political committee, an electioneering 1866
2768-communications organization, or a candidate may not knowingly 1867
2769-accept or solicit, directly or indirectly, a contribution from a 1868
2770-foreign national in connection with any election held in this 1869
2771-state or in connection with a constitutional amendment proposed 1870
2772-by initiative. A person or entity who violates this section 1871
2773-commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in 1872
2774-s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, and shall also be subject 1873
2775-to a civil penalty equal to three times the amount contributed. 1874
2776-Such penalty shall be paid into the General Revenue Fund of this 1875
2777-
2778-CS/HB 1381 2025
2779-
2780-
2781-
2782-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2783-hb1381-01-c1
2784-Page 76 of 77
2785-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2786-
2787-
2788-
2789-state. Any penalty imposed against a person that is not an 1876
2790-individual jointly and severally attaches to the chair of the 1877
2791-entity if the entity does not pay the penalty within 30 days. 1878
2792-The Florida Election Commission shall be responsible for 1879
2793-determining violations, imposing civil penalties, and collecting 1880
2794-any unpaid civil penalties . 1881
2795- Section 27. Section 322.034, Florida Statutes, is created 1882
2796-to read: 1883
2797- 322.034 Legal status designation on state -issued driver 1884
2798-licenses and identification cards. — 1885
2799- (1) By July 1, 2026, a drive r license or Florida 1886
2800-identification card issued new or as a renewal to a qualified 1887
2801-applicant must include the legal status of the licensee or 1888
2802-cardholder as either United States citizen or a non -United 1889
2803-States citizen as last recorded in the system at the ti me of the 1890
2804-issuance or renewal. 1891
2805- (2) Notwithstanding this chapter, the department shall, at 1892
2806-no charge, issue or renew a replacement card if a licensee or 1893
2807-cardholder timely updates his or her legal status upon becoming 1894
2808-a citizen of the United States as requ ired in s. 322.19. 1895
2809- Section 28. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (8) of 1896
2810-section 895.02, Florida Statutes, to read: 1897
2811- 895.02 Definitions. —As used in ss. 895.01 -895.08, the 1898
2812-term: 1899
2813- (8) "Racketeering activity" means to commit, to attempt to 1900
2814-
2815-CS/HB 1381 2025
2816-
2817-
2818-
2819-CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2820-hb1381-01-c1
2821-Page 77 of 77
2822-F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2823-
2824-
2825-
2826-commit, to conspire to commit, or to solicit, coerce, or 1901
2827-intimidate another person to commit: 1902
2828- (d) A violation of the Florida Election Code, relating to 1903
2829-irregularities or fraud involving voter registration, voting, or 1904
2830-candidate petitions. 1905
2831- Section 29. This act shall take effect October 1, 2025. 1906
2832- 1907
15+An act relating to elections; amending s. 97.012, 2
16+F.S.; revising a provision requiring that the 3
17+Secretary of State provide certain mandatory signature 4
18+matching training; amending s. 97.022, F.S.; revising 5
19+the authority and responsibilities of the Office of 6
20+Election Crimes and Security; authorizing the office 7
21+to issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum to bring 8
22+any person before certain representatives and require 9
23+the production of specified records; authorizing the 10
24+office to file a complaint in circuit cou rt to enforce 11
25+such subpoenas; requiring the court to direct the 12
26+witness to comply with the subpoena or punish the 13
27+witness accordingly; providing an exception; requiring 14
28+sheriffs to serve and execute all process associated 15
29+with such action; requiring the of fice to pay the 16
30+sheriffs for such service; authorizing the office to 17
31+adopt rules; creating s. 97.027, F.S.; requiring 18
32+specified persons to undergo signature matching 19
33+training; requiring the Department of State to adopt 20
34+certain rules; amending s. 97.051, F. S.; revising the 21
35+oath a person registering to vote must subscribe to; 22
36+amending s. 97.0525, F.S.; requiring that the online 23
37+voter registration system generate a certain notice 24
38+under a specified circumstance; amending s. 97.053, 25
39+
40+HB 1381 2025
41+
42+
43+
44+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
45+hb1381-00
46+Page 2 of 166
47+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
48+
49+
50+
51+F.S.; requiring supervisors o f elections to update a 26
52+voter's record if provided specified information by 27
53+the applicant after registration; providing that such 28
54+updates are retroactive to the date the application 29
55+was received; requiring an applicant to provide 30
56+evidence to the supervisor sufficient to prove the 31
57+applicant's legal status as a United States citizen 32
58+under specified circumstances; requiring the 33
59+supervisor to place such applicant on the voter rolls 34
60+under a specified circumstance; authorizing an 35
61+applicant that has not provided s uch evidence to vote 36
62+a provisional ballot; providing that such ballot may 37
63+be counted only if the applicant can verify his or her 38
64+legal status within a specified timeframe; revising 39
65+the timeframe after receipt in which a voter 40
66+registration official must ent er the voter 41
67+registration applications into the system; amending s. 42
68+97.057, F.S.; requiring the Department of State to 43
69+provide certain information to the Department of 44
70+Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; requiring the 45
71+Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to 46
72+assist the Department of State with identifying 47
73+changes in residential addresses in accordance with a 48
74+specified provision; amending s. 97.0575, F.S.; 49
75+requiring third party voter registration organizations 50
76+
77+HB 1381 2025
78+
79+
80+
81+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
82+hb1381-00
83+Page 3 of 166
84+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
85+
86+
87+
88+to deliver voter registration applicati ons to the 51
89+supervisor of the county, rather than the division, in 52
90+which the voter resides under specified circumstances; 53
91+providing civil penalties; amending s. 97.1031, F.S.; 54
92+deleting a provision authorizing a voter to change his 55
93+or address by submitting o ther signed written notice; 56
94+revising the timeframe in which a voter registration 57
95+official must make necessary changes to a voter's 58
96+records to within 7 days after receipt; amending s. 59
97+98.015, F.S.; requiring that the main and permanent 60
98+branch offices of the supervisor be open for specified 61
99+times and days; requiring supervisors to provide a 62
100+list identifying nonresidential addresses in a 63
101+specified manner; amending s. 98.045, F.S.; requiring 64
102+supervisors to make a certain determination within a 65
103+specified timeframe related to a voter registration 66
104+applicant who was previously removed for ineligibility 67
105+and to follow specified procedures to notify the 68
106+applicant, if applicable; requiring supervisors to 69
107+remove the name of a voter who subsequently registers 70
108+in another state to vote within a specified timeframe 71
109+of receipt of such information; amending s. 98.065, 72
110+F.S.; authorizing supervisors to use certain credible 73
111+and reliable sources of commercially available data to 74
112+compare certain records and conduct address list 75
113+
114+HB 1381 2025
115+
116+
117+
118+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
119+hb1381-00
120+Page 4 of 166
121+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
122+
123+
124+
125+maintenance; amending s. 98.075, F.S.; authorizing the 76
126+Department of State to enter into memorandums of 77
127+understanding with other state governments and share 78
128+confidential and exempt information with such 79
129+governments; requiring that such governments maintain 80
130+the confidentiality of such information; requiring the 81
131+Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to 82
132+provide driver license and Florida identification card 83
133+information to such governments; requiring supervisors 84
134+to remove the name of a deceased voter unde r specified 85
135+circumstances; creating s. 98.094, F.S.; requiring 86
136+that lists of registered voters be provided to federal 87
137+courts for a specified purpose under a certain 88
138+condition; requiring federal jury coordinators to 89
139+prepare or cause to be prepared a certain list; 90
140+requiring that such list be sent to the Division of 91
141+Elections periodically; requiring that jury 92
142+coordinators provide the division with specified 93
143+information about each disqualified juror; requiring 94
144+the supervisor to use such list to conduct list 95
145+maintenance or eligibility maintenance procedures; 96
146+amending s. 98.212, F.S.; requiring supervisors to 97
147+provide information as may be requested by the 98
148+Department of State and to the Legislature; 99
149+authorizing the department to adopt rules; amending s. 100
150+
151+HB 1381 2025
152+
153+
154+
155+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
156+hb1381-00
157+Page 5 of 166
158+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
159+
160+
161+
162+99.012, F.S.; conforming a cross -reference; amending 101
163+s. 99.021, F.S.; authorizing qualified candidates and 102
164+political parties with such candidates to challenge 103
165+another candidate's compliance with a specified oath 104
166+in a certain circuit court; prohibiting a person from 105
167+qualifying as a candidate and appearing on the ballot 106
168+if a court order becomes final and makes certain 107
169+determinations; amending s. 99.061, F.S.; revising the 108
170+periods in which a person may qualify as a candidate; 109
171+revising the qualifying period for federal of fices 110
172+following reapportionment; authorizing candidates for 111
173+constitutional office to file a certain receipt or 112
174+verification in lieu of filing a full and public 113
175+disclosure of financial interests and all other 114
176+candidates to instead file a certain receipt or 115
177+verification of filing a statement of financial 116
178+interests for qualifying only; requiring the 117
179+department to process qualifying papers within a 118
180+specified timeframe; providing that a cashier's check 119
181+purchased from the candidate's campaign account may be 120
182+used to pay the qualifying fee; specifying that a 121
183+candidate has a specified timeframe to pay the 122
184+qualifying fee under specified circumstances; 123
185+specifying that a certain form does not need to be re -124
186+submitted under certain circumstances; amending s. 125
187+
188+HB 1381 2025
189+
190+
191+
192+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
193+hb1381-00
194+Page 6 of 166
195+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
196+
197+
198+
199+100.191, F.S.; providing that all laws that apply to 126
200+primary and general elections apply to special primary 127
201+and special elections; requiring the Elections 128
202+Canvassing Commission to certify results in accordance 129
203+with a specified provision; amending s. 101.043, F.S.; 130
204+revising the forms of current and valid picture 131
205+identifications that a voter must provide upon 132
206+entering the polling place; amending s. 101.048, F.S.; 133
207+revising the instructions that are included with cure 134
208+affidavits to conform to changes made by the act; 135
209+amending s. 101.111, F.S.; authorizing registered 136
210+voters or election officials of a county acting in 137
211+their official capacity to challenge at the polls or 138
212+during early voting the right of a person to vote in 139
213+the county; requiring separate oaths for each 140
214+challenge; revising the oath required of a person 141
215+entering challenges; providing the oath an election 142
216+official must use if asserting the ineligibility of a 143
217+voter; requiring that the oath be delivered to the 144
218+clerk or inspector under specified circumstances; 145
219+requiring such clerk or inspector to deliver such oath 146
220+immediately to the challenged person; revising a 147
221+provision providing that such person may cast a 148
222+provisional ballot; deleting an exception to casting 149
223+such provisional ballot; authorizing challenges to be 150
224+
225+HB 1381 2025
226+
227+
228+
229+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
230+hb1381-00
231+Page 7 of 166
232+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
233+
234+
235+
236+made in advance within a specified timeframe before an 151
237+election by delivering an oath to the supervisor's 152
238+office; requiring the supervisor to notify, as soon as 153
239+practicable, a challenged voter by specified means; 154
240+requiring that the oath be sent to early voting sites 155
241+or the voter's precinct in the event such voter 156
242+appears in person to vote; requiring that certain 157
243+ballots be canvassed as provisional ballots; requiring 158
244+that certain persons be allowed to execute a change of 159
245+legal residence to be able to vote a regul ar ballot; 160
246+requiring that such persons be allowed to vote a 161
247+regular ballot if the change of legal residence is 162
248+properly registered; requiring that certain voters be 163
249+directed to the proper precinct to vote; providing 164
250+that certain voters are required to vote a provisional 165
251+ballot; amending s. 101.131, F.S.; requiring that poll 166
252+watchers be qualified and registered voters of the 167
253+county in which they serve and complete a required 168
254+training; requiring the Department of State to provide 169
255+such training; requiring that poll watchers be allowed 170
256+to observe and report on irregularities in the conduct 171
257+of the election and enter and watch polls under a 172
258+specified condition; prohibiting such poll watchers 173
259+with interfering with the conduct of the election; 174
260+requiring that the for m that designates poll watchers 175
261+
262+HB 1381 2025
263+
264+
265+
266+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
267+hb1381-00
268+Page 8 of 166
269+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
270+
271+
272+
273+include specified information; requiring that poll 176
274+watchers be given identification badges that include 177
275+certain information; authorizing the department to 178
276+adopt rules; amending s. 101.151, F.S.; specifying 179
277+that, in presidential preference primaries only, the 180
278+office title may be placed above the list of names on 181
279+the ballot for that office; specifying that, in a 182
280+primary election only, the office title of Governor 183
281+shall be placed above the names of the candidates for 184
282+such office regardless of whether a Lieutenant 185
283+Governor is designated; conforming provisions to 186
284+changes made by the act; amending s. 101.20, F.S.; 187
285+deleting provisions requiring that sample ballots be 188
286+furnished to each polling place, in a specified form, 189
287+be open to inspection by all electors, and a 190
288+sufficient number of reduced -size ballots to be given 191
289+out to electors; requiring the supervisor to publish 192
290+sample ballots in a certain newspaper, through the 193
291+supervisor's website, or on the county's website; 194
292+requiring that such publication occur within a 195
293+specified timeframe; authorizing the supervisor to 196
294+send sample ballots to registered voters by specified 197
295+means; requiring sample ballots to be available in all 198
296+polling places for specified purpose; authorizing a 199
297+sample ballot to be in the format of an official 200
298+
299+HB 1381 2025
300+
301+
302+
303+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
304+hb1381-00
305+Page 9 of 166
306+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
307+
308+
309+
310+ballot but must indicate it is a sample; amending s. 201
311+101.252, F.S.; providing applicability; creating s. 202
312+101.2521, F.S.; requiring that candidates be placed on 203
313+the general ballot for certain elections held under 204
314+specified circumstances; amending s. 101.5606, F.S.; 205
315+conforming provisions to changes made by the act; 206
316+amending s. 101.56075, F.S.; requiring that locations 207
317+where voting takes place have certain voting machines 208
318+available; specifying the default voting method; 209
319+requiring that a certain device be provided if 210
320+requested by a voter; amending s. 101.5608, F.S.; 211
321+requiring the inspector to follow specified procedures 212
322+before allowing a person to vote in specified 213
323+circumstances; conforming provisions to changes made 214
324+by the act; amending s. 101.5612, F.S.; conforming 215
325+provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 216
326+101.5614, F.S.; requiring that after a defective 217
327+ballot is duplicated, both ballots be placed in an 218
328+certain envelope and presented to the canvassing board 219
329+for review; amending s. 101.572, F.S.; authorizing 220
330+certain candidates, political party officials, and 221
331+political committee officials, or any designee 222
332+thereof, to object to the canvassing board's 223
333+determination of voter intent; amending s. 101.591, 224
334+F.S.; deleting provisions instructing how to perform a 225
335+
336+HB 1381 2025
337+
338+
339+
340+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
341+hb1381-00
342+Page 10 of 166
343+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
344+
345+
346+
347+manual audit; requiring the county canvassing board or 226
348+local board responsible for certifying an election to 227
349+conduct an independent vote validation of voting 228
350+systems used in all precincts; providing the procedure 229
351+for such independent vote validation; deleting 230
352+provisions related to independent audits; requiring 231
353+that the canvassing board publish certain notice on 232
354+the county's website, on the supervisor's website, or 233
355+in certain newspapers; requiring that such vote 234
356+validation be completed before the certification of 235
357+the election; requiring the county canvassing board or 236
358+local board responsible for the election to provide a 237
359+certain consolidated report; providing the 238
360+requirements of such report; deleting a provision that 239
361+allowed a manual recount to take the place of a 240
362+certain audit; amending s. 101.5911, F.S.; requiring 241
363+the department to adopt certain rules; conforming 242
364+provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 243
365+101.595, F.S.; requiring the department to submit the 244
366+analysis of a certain report as part of a specified 245
367+consolidated report to the Governor and the 246
368+Legislature annually by a specified date; amending s. 247
369+101.6104, F.S.; making technical changes; amending s. 248
370+101.62, F.S.; requiring a voter to initiate the 249
371+request for a vote-by-mail ballot from the supervisor; 250
372+
373+HB 1381 2025
374+
375+
376+
377+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
378+hb1381-00
379+Page 11 of 166
380+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
381+
382+
383+
384+requiring such voter to use the paper or online 251
385+version of the uniform statewide application to make a 252
386+written request for a vote -by-mail ballot; requiring 253
387+the supervisor to record certain information after 254
388+receiving such request; revising the timeframes during 255
389+which vote-by-mail ballots are provided to voters; 256
390+amending s. 101.64, F.S.; providing that the 257
391+supervisor may include a secrecy envelope or privacy 258
392+sleeve with vote-by-mail ballots; amending s. 101.657, 259
393+F.S.; authorizing, rather than requiring, that early 260
394+voting be provided by a supervisor; revising the 261
395+number of early voting sites the supervisor may 262
396+designate per election area; authorizing the 263
397+supervisor to obtain a waiver for the number of sites 264
398+designated as early voting sites under a specified 265
399+circumstance; deleting authorization for a supervisor 266
400+to provide early voting in excess of what is required; 267
401+amending s. 101.68, F.S.; conforming provisions to 268
402+changes made by the act; amending s. 101.69, F.S.; 269
403+deleting a requirement that secure ballot intake 270
404+stations be located at each permanent branch that 271
405+meets certain criteria; requiring that such intake 272
406+stations be located at each designated early voting 273
407+site; requiring that all secure ballot intake stations 274
408+be continuously monitored; requiring the department to 275
409+
410+HB 1381 2025
411+
412+
413+
414+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
415+hb1381-00
416+Page 12 of 166
417+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
418+
419+
420+
421+adopt rules; amending s. 101.6921, F.S.; conforming 276
422+provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 277
423+101.6923, F.S.; revising the instructions sent to 278
424+certain first-time voters to conform to changes m ade 279
425+by the act; amending s. 101.6952, F.S.; providing that 280
426+if a ballot is transmitted via facsimile it must be 281
427+received by a specified time on election day; amending 282
428+s. 101.694, F.S.; conforming a cross -reference; 283
429+amending s. 101.697, F.S.; requiring the d epartment to 284
430+adopt certain rules related to electronic transmission 285
431+of election materials to specified voters; amending s. 286
432+101.698, F.S.; authorizing the department to adopt 287
433+emergency rules in specified circumstances; amending 288
434+s. 102.031, F.S.; prohibiting videography and other 289
435+visual and audio recording in polling rooms or early 290
436+voting areas; providing an exception; amending s. 291
437+102.141, F.S.; revising the composition of county 292
438+canvassing boards; prohibiting persons who publicly 293
439+endorse or donate to candida tes or are active 294
440+participants endorsing or opposing a public measure 295
441+from serving on county canvassing boards; requiring 296
442+members of a county canvassing board and all clerical 297
443+help to wear, at specified times, identification 298
444+badges in a certain manner and which include specified 299
445+information; requiring a county canvassing board to 300
446+
447+HB 1381 2025
448+
449+
450+
451+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
452+hb1381-00
453+Page 13 of 166
454+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
455+
456+
457+
458+retain the county attorney for any legal 301
459+representation; authorizing such board to retain 302
460+outside legal counsel under specified conditions; 303
461+specifying that the deadline by which su pervisors 304
462+shall upload preliminary results is in local time; 305
463+requiring the supervisor on behalf of the county 306
464+canvassing board to report all early voting and vote -307
465+by-mail tabulations to the department; requiring 308
466+counties to conduct a machine vote validatio n process 309
467+for a certain purpose after unofficial results are 310
468+reported; requiring that such process be completed 311
469+within a specified timeframe; requiring the county 312
470+canvassing board to take specified actions after 313
471+making a certain determination; requiring th e county 314
472+canvassing board to conduct manual reviews under 315
473+specified circumstances; providing requirements for 316
474+such review; deleting provisions related to recounts 317
475+by the county canvassing board; requiring the county 318
476+canvassing board to publish notice conta ining manual 319
477+review information by specified means; providing that 320
478+such review are open to the public; requiring the 321
479+county canvassing board to submit to the department 322
480+certain forms containing a vote validation report; 323
481+providing requirements for such repo rt; requiring the 324
482+county canvassing board to conduct manual reviews in 325
483+
484+HB 1381 2025
485+
486+
487+
488+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
489+hb1381-00
490+Page 14 of 166
491+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
492+
493+
494+
495+accordance with specified provisions; requiring the 326
496+department to adopt rules; creating s. 102.143, F.S.; 327
497+requiring the supervisor to file a report with the 328
498+division on the conduct on t he election within a 329
499+specified timeframe; providing requirements for the 330
500+report; requiring the supervisor to notify the 331
501+Division of Elections of new information and file an 332
502+amended report including such information, if 333
503+applicable, within a specified timefr ame; requiring 334
504+the division to maintain such reports on file and make 335
505+them available for public inspection; requiring the 336
506+division to review the reports for a specified 337
507+purpose; providing that the report is part of a 338
508+certain consolidated report submitted b y the 339
509+department by a specified date each year following a 340
510+general election; amending s. 102.166, F.S.; requiring 341
511+manual reviews of overvotes and undervotes unless 342
512+certain conditions exist; requiring that overvotes and 343
513+undervotes be identified and sorted d uring the vote 344
514+validation process; providing that the secretary is 345
515+responsible for ordering such review in federal, 346
516+state, or multicounty races and the county canvassing 347
517+board, or local board responsible for certifying the 348
518+election, is responsible for orde ring such reviews in 349
519+all other races; authorizing political parties to 350
520+
521+HB 1381 2025
522+
523+
524+
525+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
526+hb1381-00
527+Page 15 of 166
528+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
529+
530+
531+
532+designate a certain expert to be allowed in the 351
533+central counting room while tests are being performed; 352
534+prohibiting such person from interfering with the 353
535+normal operation of the canvassi ng board; conforming a 354
536+cross-reference; requiring the department to adopt 355
537+certain rules; amending s. 103.021, F.S.; revising the 356
538+deadline by which political parties must submit their 357
539+list of presidential electors to the Governor; 358
540+requiring the state execut ive committees of the 359
541+political parties to certify to the Governor certain 360
542+information relating to such electors within a 361
543+specified timeframe; providing requirements for such 362
544+certification; revising the deadline by which the 363
545+Governor certifies political pa rty submissions to the 364
546+Department of State; requiring candidates to submit 365
547+certain information concerning presidential electors 366
548+to the department before a specified date and time; 367
549+amending s. 103.121, F.S.; requiring that the funds 368
550+and certain records of s tate executive committees be 369
551+audited by a certified public accountant; amending s. 370
552+104.047, F.S.; prohibiting specified entities from 371
553+further forwarding official vote -by-mail ballots or 372
554+envelopes; providing criminal penalties; providing 373
555+criminal penalties for persons who physically collect 374
556+requests for vote-by-mail ballots and copies or 375
557+
558+HB 1381 2025
559+
560+
561+
562+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
563+hb1381-00
564+Page 16 of 166
565+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
566+
567+
568+
569+retains the request, or copies and retains the voter's 376
570+personal information; repealing s. 105.09, F.S., 377
571+relating to political activity in behalf of a 378
572+candidate for judicial office limited; amending s. 379
573+106.021, F.S.; prohibiting a candidate from appointing 380
574+himself, herself, or immediate family as the treasurer 381
575+of the campaign; amending s. 106.07, F.S.; requiring a 382
576+candidate to file an affidavit with the officer before 383
577+whom the candidate is required to qualify under 384
578+specified circumstances within a specified timeframe; 385
579+deeming filings as timely filed if filed in a certain 386
580+manner; providing that such affidavits are open to 387
581+public inspection; providing construction; providing a 388
582+civil penalty for candidates who file affidavits late; 389
583+amending s. 106.08, F.S.; revising the definition of 390
584+the term "foreign national"; revising the 391
585+contributions or expenditures that a foreign national 392
586+is prohibited from making or offering to make; 393
587+prohibiting political parties, political committees, 394
588+committees associated with ballot issues or questions, 395
589+electioneering communications organizations, and 396
590+candidates from knowingly accepting contributions from 397
591+foreign nationals; providing criminal penalties; 398
592+providing for enhancement of criminal penalties on 399
593+subsequent offenses; providing civil penalties; 400
594+
595+HB 1381 2025
596+
597+
598+
599+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
600+hb1381-00
601+Page 17 of 166
602+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
603+
604+
605+
606+amending s. 106.087, F.S.; conforming a cross -401
607+reference; repealing s. 113.01, F.S., relating to fees 402
608+for commissions issued by Governor; repealing s. 403
609+113.02, F.S., relating to fees to be paid before 404
610+commissions issued; repealing s. 113.03, F.S., 405
611+relating to disposition of certain proceeds; amending 406
612+s. 113.051, F.S.; prohibiting the issuance of certain 407
613+commissions until the oath of office is filed; 408
614+amending ss. 117.01, 117.225, and 117.295, F.S.; 409
615+conforming provisions to changes made by this act; 410
616+creating s. 322.034, F.S.; requiring that driver 411
617+licenses and Florida identification cards include 412
618+certain information; providing that applicants 413
619+providing certain docume ntation may not be charged a 414
620+fee for renewal; requiring that the Department of 415
621+Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles comply with 416
622+specified provisions by a specified date; amending s. 417
623+895.02, F.S.; revising the definition of "racketeering 418
624+activity" to include v iolations of the Florida 419
625+Election Code for the purposes of providing criminal 420
626+penalties; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; conforming a 421
627+cross-reference; providing effective dates. 422
628+ 423
629+Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 424
630+ 425
631+
632+HB 1381 2025
633+
634+
635+
636+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
637+hb1381-00
638+Page 18 of 166
639+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
640+
641+
642+
643+ Section 1. Subsection (17) of section 97.012, Florida 426
644+Statutes, is amended to read: 427
645+ 97.012 Secretary of State as chief election officer. —The 428
646+Secretary of State is the chief election officer of the state, 429
647+and it is his or her responsibility to: 430
648+ (17) Provide mandatory formal signature matching training 431
649+as provided by law to supervisors of elections and county 432
650+canvassing board members. Any person whose duties require 433
651+verification of signatures must undergo signature matching 434
652+training. The department shall adopt rules gov erning signature 435
653+matching procedures and training . 436
654+ Section 2. Subsections (6), (43), (44), and (47) of 437
655+section 97.021, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 438
656+ 97.021 Definitions. —For the purposes of this code, except 439
657+where the context clearly indicate s otherwise, the term: 440
658+ (6) "Ballot" or "official ballot" means a printed sheet of 441
659+paper containing contests including offices and candidates, 442
660+constitutional amendments, and other public measures upon which 443
661+a voter's selections are marked using a manual m arking device. A 444
662+ballot includes a voter -verifiable paper output upon which a 445
663+voter's selections are marked by a voter interface device that 446
664+meets voter accessibility requirements for individuals with 447
665+disabilities under s. 301 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 448
666+and s. 101.56062 when used in reference to: 449
667+ (a) "Electronic or electromechanical devices" means a 450
668+
669+HB 1381 2025
670+
671+
672+
673+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
674+hb1381-00
675+Page 19 of 166
676+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
677+
678+
679+
680+ballot that is voted by the process of electronically 451
681+designating, including by touchscreen, or marking with a marking 452
682+device for tabulation by auto matic tabulating equipment or data 453
683+processing equipment . 454
684+ (b) "Marksense ballots" means that printed sheet of paper, 455
685+used in conjunction with an electronic or electromechanical vote 456
686+tabulation voting system, containing the names of candidates, or 457
687+a statement of proposed constitutional amendments or other 458
688+questions or propositions submitted to the electorate at any 459
689+election, on which sheet of paper an elector casts his or her 460
690+vote. 461
691+ (43) "Voter interface device" means any device that 462
692+communicates voting in structions and ballot information to a 463
693+voter and allows the voter to select and vote for candidates and 464
694+issues. A voter interface device may not be used to tabulate 465
695+votes. Any vote tabulation must be based upon a subsequent scan 466
696+of the marked marksense ballot or the voter-verifiable paper 467
697+output after the voter interface device process has been 468
698+completed. 469
699+ (44) "Voter registration agency" means any office that 470
700+provides public assistance, any office that serves persons with 471
701+disabilities, any center for inde pendent living, or any public 472
702+library. The term includes any other federal or state office 473
703+that is first designated by the Secretary of State to become a 474
704+voter registration agency and for which such office accepts such 475
705+
706+HB 1381 2025
707+
708+
709+
710+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
711+hb1381-00
712+Page 20 of 166
713+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
714+
715+
716+
717+designation. 476
718+ (47) "Voting system" m eans a method of casting and 477
719+processing votes that functions wholly or partly by use of 478
720+electromechanical or electronic apparatus or by use of marksense 479
721+ballots and includes, but is not limited to, the equipment, 480
722+including hardware, firmware, and software; the ballots; the 481
723+procedures for casting and processing votes ; and the programs, 482
724+operating manuals, supplies ; and the reports, printouts, and 483
725+other documentation software necessary for the system's 484
726+operation. 485
727+ Section 3. Section 97.022, Florida Statutes , is amended to 486
728+read: 487
729+ 97.022 Office of Election Crimes and Security; creation; 488
730+purpose and duties.— 489
731+ (1) The Office of Election Crimes and Security is created 490
732+within the Department of State. The purpose of the office is to 491
733+aid the Secretary of State in completion of his or her duties . 492
734+under s. 97.012(12) and (15) by: 493
735+ (2) The office has the authority and responsibility to: 494
736+ (a) Receive and review Receiving and reviewing notices and 495
737+reports generated by government officials or any other person 496
738+regarding alleged occurrences of election law violations or 497
739+election irregularities in this state. 498
740+ (b) Initiate Initiating independent inquiries and 499
741+conducting preliminary investigations into allegations of 500
742+
743+HB 1381 2025
744+
745+
746+
747+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
748+hb1381-00
749+Page 21 of 166
750+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
751+
752+
753+
754+election law violations or election irregularities in th is 501
755+state. 502
756+ (3)(2) The office may review complaints and conduct 503
757+preliminary investigations into alleged criminal violations of 504
758+the Florida Election Code or any rule adopted pursuant thereto 505
759+and any election irregularities . 506
760+ (4) The office may issue subpoe nas and subpoenas duces 507
761+tecum to bring before its duly authorized representatives any 508
762+person in this state, or any person doing business in this 509
763+state, to require the production of any records relevant to an 510
764+investigation, and to administer oaths and affir mations in the 511
765+manner prescribed by law to witnesses who shall appear before 512
766+them. If a witness fails to respond to the subpoena issued by 513
767+the office or, having responded, failed to answer all inquiries 514
768+or to turn over evidence that has been subpoenaed, th e office 515
769+may file a complaint in the circuit court where the witness 516
770+resides. Upon the filing of such complaint, the court shall take 517
771+jurisdiction of the witness and the subject matter of such 518
772+complaint and shall direct the witness to respond to all 519
773+questions and to produce all documentary evidence in the 520
774+witness's possession which is demanded. Failure of a witness to 521
775+comply with the court's order constitutes a direct and criminal 522
776+contempt of court, and the court punish the witness accordingly. 523
777+However, the refusal by a witness to answer inquiries or turn 524
778+over evidence on the basis that such answers or evidence will 525
779+
780+HB 1381 2025
781+
782+
783+
784+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
785+hb1381-00
786+Page 22 of 166
787+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
788+
789+
790+
791+incriminate the witness is not a refusal to comply with this 526
792+chapter. The sheriffs shall make the service and execute all 527
793+process or orders when required by the office. The office shall 528
794+pay the sheriffs for these services as provided in s. 30.231. 529
795+ (5)(3) The secretary shall appoint a director of the 530
796+office. 531
797+ (6)(4) The office shall be based in Tallahassee and shall 532
798+employ nonsworn investigators to conduct any investigations. The 533
799+positions and resources necessary for the office to accomplish 534
800+its duties shall be established through and subject to the 535
801+legislative appropriations process. 536
802+ (7)(5) The office shall oversee the department's voter 537
803+fraud hotline. 538
804+ (8)(6) This section does not limit the jurisdiction of any 539
805+other office or agency of the state empowered by law to 540
806+investigate, act upon, or dispose of alleged election law 541
807+violations. 542
808+ (9)(7) By January 15 of each year, the department shall 543
809+submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, 544
810+and the Speaker of the House of Representatives detailing 545
811+information on investigations of alleged election law violations 546
812+or election irregula rities conducted during the prior calendar 547
813+year. The report must include the total number of complaints 548
814+received and independent investigations initiated and the number 549
815+of complaints referred to another agency for further 550
816+
817+HB 1381 2025
818+
819+
820+
821+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
822+hb1381-00
823+Page 23 of 166
824+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
825+
826+
827+
828+investigation or prosecution, incl uding the total number of 551
829+those matters sent to a special officer pursuant to s. 102.091. 552
830+For each alleged violation or irregularity investigated, the 553
831+report must include: 554
832+ (a) The source of the alleged violation or irregularity; 555
833+ (b) The law allegedly v iolated or the nature of the 556
834+irregularity reported; 557
835+ (c) The county in which the alleged violation or 558
836+irregularity occurred; 559
837+ (d) Whether the alleged violation or irregularity was 560
838+referred to another agency for further investigation or 561
839+prosecution and, if so, to which agency; and 562
840+ (e) The current status of the investigation or resulting 563
841+criminal case. 564
842+ (10) The Office of Election Crimes and Security may adopt 565
843+rules to implement this section. 566
844+ Section 4. Section 97.027, Florida Statutes, is created to 567
845+read: 568
846+ 97.027 Signature matching training required. —A person 569
847+whose duties require the verification of signatures pursuant to 570
848+s. 99.097, s. 100.371, s. 101.043, s. 101.048, s. 101.62, or s. 571
849+101.68 must undergo formal signature matching training. The 572
850+department shall adopt rules governing signature matching 573
851+procedures and training. 574
852+ Section 5. Section 97.051, Florida Statutes, is amended to 575
853+
854+HB 1381 2025
855+
856+
857+
858+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
859+hb1381-00
860+Page 24 of 166
861+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
862+
863+
864+
865+read: 576
866+ 97.051 Oath upon registering. —A person registering to vote 577
867+must subscribe to the following oath: 578
868+ 579
869+"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will protect 580
870+and defend the Constitution of the United States and 581
871+the Constitution of the State of Florida, that I am 582
872+qualified to register as an elector under the 583
873+Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, and 584
874+that all information provided in this application is 585
875+true. I have carefully reviewed the instructions for 586
876+completing the Florida Voter Registration Application, 587
877+and I further swear (or affirm) that I am a United 588
878+States citizen. I understand that if I have provided 589
879+false information on this application I could be 590
880+subject to criminal penalties for perjury and that I 591
881+may be fined, imprisoned, or, if not a United States 592
882+Citizen, deported or refused entry to the United 593
883+States." 594
884+ 595
885+ Section 6. Present subsections (5) thr ough (8) of section 596
886+97.0525, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (6) 597
887+through (9), respectively, and a new subsection (5) is added to 598
888+that section, to read: 599
889+ 97.0525 Online voter registration. — 600
890+
891+HB 1381 2025
892+
893+
894+
895+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
896+hb1381-00
897+Page 25 of 166
898+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
899+
900+
901+
902+ (5) The online voter registration system must generate a 601
903+notice to the applicant if the applicant's legal status as 602
904+United States citizen cannot be verified by the records of the 603
905+Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The notice must 604
906+provide the applicant with contact information for the 605
907+applicant's supervisor of elections for further information. 606
908+ Section 7. Subsections (2), (6), and (7) of section 607
909+97.053, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 608
910+ 97.053 Acceptance of voter registration applications. — 609
911+ (2) A voter registration application is complete and 610
912+becomes the official voter registration record of that applicant 611
913+when all information necessary to establish the applicant's 612
914+eligibility pursuant to s. 97.041 is received by a voter 613
915+registration official and verified pursuant to subsection (6). 614
916+If the applicant fails to complete his or her voter registration 615
917+application on or before prior to the date of book closing for 616
918+an election, then such applicant is shall not be eligible to 617
919+vote in that election. 618
920+ (6) A voter registration application , including an 619
921+application with a change in name, address, or party 620
922+affiliation, may be accepted as valid only after the department 621
923+has verified the authenticity or nonexistence of the driver 622
924+license number, the Florida identification card number, or the 623
925+last four digits of the social security number provided by the 624
926+applicant. 625
927+
928+HB 1381 2025
929+
930+
931+
932+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
933+hb1381-00
934+Page 26 of 166
935+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
936+
937+
938+
939+ (a) If a completed voter registration application has been 626
940+received by the book -closing deadline but the driver license 627
941+number, the Florida identification card number, or the last f our 628
942+digits of the social security number provided by the applicant 629
943+cannot be verified, the applicant must shall be notified that 630
944+the number cannot be verified and that the applicant must 631
945+provide evidence to the supervisor sufficient to verify the 632
946+authenticity of the applicant's driver license number, Florida 633
947+identification card number, or last four digits of the social 634
948+security number. If the applicant provides the necessary 635
949+evidence, the supervisor must shall place the applicant's name 636
950+on the registration rolls as an active voter or update, as 637
951+applicable, the voter's record with the change in address, name, 638
952+or party affiliation. The change in address, name, or party 639
953+affiliation is retroactive to the date the application was 640
954+initially received. If the applicant has not provided the 641
955+necessary evidence or the number has not otherwise been verified 642
956+prior to the applicant presenting himself or herself to vote, 643
957+the applicant must shall be provided a provisional ballot. The 644
958+provisional ballot must shall be counted pursuant to s. 101.048 645
959+but only if the number is verified by the end of the canvassing 646
960+period or if the applicant presents evidence to the supervisor 647
961+of elections sufficient to verify the authenticity of the 648
962+applicant's driver license number, Florida ident ification card 649
963+number, or last four digits of the social security number no 650
964+
965+HB 1381 2025
966+
967+
968+
969+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
970+hb1381-00
971+Page 27 of 166
972+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
973+
974+
975+
976+later than 5 p.m. of the second day following the election. 651
977+ (b) If a completed voter registration application for new 652
978+registration has been received by the book -closing deadline but 653
979+the applicant's legal status as a United States citizen cannot 654
980+be verified, the applicant must provide evidence to the 655
981+supervisor sufficient to verify the applicant's legal status as 656
982+a United States citizen before voting. If the applicant provides 657
983+the necessary evidence, the supervisor must place the 658
984+applicant's name on the registration rolls as an active voter. 659
985+If the applicant has not provided the necessary evidence or the 660
986+legal status is not verified before the applicant presents 661
987+himself or herself t o vote, the applicant must be provided a 662
988+provisional ballot. The provisional ballot may be counted only 663
989+if the applicant's legal status as a United States citizen is 664
990+verified by the end of the canvassing period or if the applicant 665
991+presents evidence to the supervisor of elections sufficient to 666
992+verify the applicant's legal status as a United States citizen 667
993+no later than 5 p.m. of the second day following the election. 668
994+ (7) All voter registration applications received by a 669
995+voter registration official must shall be entered into the 670
996+statewide voter registration system within 7 13 days after 671
997+receipt. Once entered, the application shall be immediately 672
998+forwarded to the appropriate supervisor of elections. 673
999+ Section 8. Subsections (11) and (13) of section 97.057, 674
1000+Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 675
1001+
1002+HB 1381 2025
1003+
1004+
1005+
1006+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1007+hb1381-00
1008+Page 28 of 166
1009+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1010+
1011+
1012+
1013+ 97.057 Voter registration by the Department of Highway 676
1014+Safety and Motor Vehicles. — 677
1015+ (11) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 678
1016+shall enter into an agreement with the department to match 679
1017+information in the statewide voter registration system with 680
1018+information in the database of the Department of Highway Safety 681
1019+and Motor Vehicles to the extent required to verify the accuracy 682
1020+of the driver license number, Florida identification number, or 683
1021+last four digits of the social security number provided on 684
1022+applications for voter registration . The department shall 685
1023+provide the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles with 686
1024+information as required in s. 97.053 as necessary to establish 687
1025+the applicant's legal status as a United States citizen . 688
1026+ (13) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 689
1027+shall must assist the Department of State in regularly 690
1028+identifying changes in residence address on the driver license 691
1029+or identification card of a voter in accordance with this 692
1030+section. The Department of State shall must report each such 693
1031+change to the appropriate supervisor of elections who must 694
1032+change the voter's registration records in accordance with s. 695
1033+98.065(4). 696
1034+ Section 9. Subsection (5) of section 97.0575, Flo rida 697
1035+Statutes, is amended to read: 698
1036+ 97.0575 Third-party voter registration organizations. — 699
1037+ (5)(a) A third-party voter registration organization that 700
1038+
1039+HB 1381 2025
1040+
1041+
1042+
1043+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1044+hb1381-00
1045+Page 29 of 166
1046+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1047+
1048+
1049+
1050+collects voter registration applications serves as a fiduciary 701
1051+to the applicant and shall ensure that an y voter registration 702
1052+application entrusted to the organization, irrespective of party 703
1053+affiliation, race, ethnicity, or gender, is promptly delivered 704
1054+to the division or the supervisor of elections in the county in 705
1055+which the applicant resides within 10 days after the application 706
1056+is completed by the applicant, but not after registration closes 707
1057+for the next ensuing election. However, if the delivery is made 708
1058+within the 10 days before book closing, the delivery must be 709
1059+made to the supervisor of elections in the c ounty in which the 710
1060+applicant resides and may not be made to the division. If a 711
1061+voter registration application collected by any third -party 712
1062+voter registration organization is not promptly delivered to the 713
1063+division or supervisor of elections in the county in which the 714
1064+applicant resides, the third -party voter registration 715
1065+organization is liable for the following fines: 716
1066+ 1. A fine in the amount of $50 per each day late, up to 717
1067+$2,500, for each application received by the division or the 718
1068+supervisor of elections in the county in which the applicant 719
1069+resides more than 10 days after the applicant delivered the 720
1070+completed voter registration application to the third -party 721
1071+voter registration organization or any person, entity, or agent 722
1072+acting on its behalf. A fine in the amount of $2,500 for each 723
1073+application received if the third -party voter registration 724
1074+organization or person, entity, or agency acting on its behalf 725
1075+
1076+HB 1381 2025
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1078+
1079+
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1083+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1084+
1085+
1086+
1087+acted willfully. 726
1088+ 2. A fine in the amount of $100 per each day late, up to 727
1089+$5,000, for each application co llected by a third-party voter 728
1090+registration organization or any person, entity, or agent acting 729
1091+on its behalf, before book closing for any given election for 730
1092+federal or state office and received by the division or the 731
1093+supervisor of elections in the county in which the applicant 732
1094+resides after the book -closing deadline for such election. A 733
1095+fine in the amount of $5,000 for each application received if 734
1096+the third-party voter registration organization or any person, 735
1097+entity, or agency acting on its behalf acted wi llfully. 736
1098+ 3. A fine in the amount of $500 for each application 737
1099+collected by a third -party voter registration organization or 738
1100+any person, entity, or agent acting on its behalf, which is not 739
1101+submitted to the division or supervisor of elections in the 740
1102+county in which the applicant resides. A fine in the amount of 741
1103+$5,000 for any application not submitted if the third -party 742
1104+voter registration organization or person, entity, or agency 743
1105+acting on its behalf acted willfully. 744
1106+ 745
1107+The aggregate fine which may be assesse d pursuant to this 746
1108+paragraph against a third -party voter registration organization, 747
1109+including affiliate organizations, for violations committed in a 748
1110+calendar year is $250,000. 749
1111+ (b) A showing by the third -party voter registration 750
1112+
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1120+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1121+
1122+
1123+
1124+organization that the fail ure to deliver the voter registration 751
1125+application within the required timeframe is based upon force 752
1126+majeure or impossibility of performance shall be an affirmative 753
1127+defense to a violation of this subsection. The secretary may 754
1128+waive the fines described in th is subsection upon a showing that 755
1129+the failure to deliver the voter registration application 756
1130+promptly is based upon force majeure or impossibility of 757
1131+performance. 758
1132+ Section 10. Section 97.1031, Florida Statutes, is amended 759
1133+to read: 760
1134+ 97.1031 Notice of cha nge of residence, change of name, or 761
1135+change of party affiliation. — 762
1136+ (1)(a) When a voter an elector changes his or her 763
1137+residence address, the voter elector must notify the supervisor 764
1138+of elections. Except as provided in paragraph (b), an address 765
1139+change must be submitted using a voter registration application. 766
1140+ (b) If the address change is within this the state and 767
1141+notice is provided to the supervisor of elections of the county 768
1142+where the voter elector has moved, the voter elector may do so 769
1143+by: 770
1144+ 1. Contacting the supervisor of elections via telephone or 771
1145+electronic means, in which case the voter elector must provide 772
1146+his or her date of birth and the last four digits of his or her 773
1147+social security number, his or her Florida driver license 774
1148+number, or his or her Fl orida identification card number, 775
1149+
1150+HB 1381 2025
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1152+
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1157+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1158+
1159+
1160+
1161+whichever may be verified in the supervisor's records; or 776
1162+ 2. Submitting the change on a voter registration 777
1163+application or other signed written notice . 778
1164+ (2) When a voter an elector seeks to change party 779
1165+affiliation, the voter must elector shall notify his or her 780
1166+supervisor of elections or other voter registration official by 781
1167+submitting a voter registration application. When a voter an 782
1168+elector changes his or her name by marriage or other legal 783
1169+process, the voter elector shall notify his or her supervisor of 784
1170+elections or other voter registration official by submitting a 785
1171+voter registration application. 786
1172+ (3) The voter registration official shall make the 787
1173+necessary changes in the voter's elector's records within 7 days 788
1174+after receipt as soon as practical upon receipt of such notice 789
1175+of a change of address of legal residence, name, or party 790
1176+affiliation. The supervisor of elections shall issue the new 791
1177+voter information card pursuant to s. 97.071 . 792
1178+ Section 11. Subsections (4) and (12) of section 98.015, 793
1179+Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 794
1180+ 98.015 Supervisor of elections; election, tenure of 795
1181+office, compensation, custody of registration -related documents, 796
1182+office hours, successor, seal; appointment of deputy 797
1183+supervisors; duties. — 798
1184+ (4) At a minimum, the main and permanent branch offices 799
1185+office of the supervisor must be open Monday through Friday, 800
1186+
1187+HB 1381 2025
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1189+
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1194+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1195+
1196+
1197+
1198+excluding legal holidays, for a period of not less than 8 hours 801
1199+per day, beginning no later than 9 a.m. 802
1200+ (12)(a) Each supervisor shall maintain a list of valid 803
1201+residential street addresses for purposes of verifying the legal 804
1202+addresses of voters residing in the supervisor's county. To the 805
1203+maximum extent practicable, The list must shall include 806
1204+information necessary to differentiate one re sidence from 807
1205+another, including, but not limited to, a distinguishing 808
1206+apartment, suite, lot, room, or dormitory room number or other 809
1207+identifier. If a voter registration application does not include 810
1208+information necessary to differentiate one residence from 811
1209+another, the supervisor must shall make all reasonable efforts 812
1210+to obtain such information in order to maintain the list of 813
1211+valid residential street addresses. 814
1212+ (b) The supervisor shall make all reasonable efforts to 815
1213+coordinate with county 911 service providers, property 816
1214+appraisers, the United States Postal Service, or other agencies 817
1215+as necessary to ensure the continued accuracy of such list and 818
1216+to identify non-residential addresses, including, but not 819
1217+limited to, addresses for businesses such as storage facilities, 820
1218+hotels, post office boxes, correctional facilities, mail or 821
1219+courier services, governmental agencies, and mail service or 822
1220+forwarding delivery services . The supervisor shall provide the 823
1221+list of valid residential addresses to the statewide voter 824
1222+registration system in the manner and frequency specified by 825
1223+
1224+HB 1381 2025
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1226+
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1231+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1232+
1233+
1234+
1235+rule of the department. 826
1236+ Section 12. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 98.045, 827
1237+Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 828
1238+ 98.045 Administration of voter registration. — 829
1239+ (1) ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANT. — 830
1240+ (a) The supervisor shall must ensure that any eligible 831
1241+applicant for voter registration is registered to vote and that 832
1242+each application for voter registrati on is processed in 833
1243+accordance with law. The supervisor shall determine whether a 834
1244+voter registration applicant is ineligible based on any of the 835
1245+following: 836
1246+ 1.(a) The failure to complete a voter registration 837
1247+application as specified in s. 97.053. 838
1248+ 2.(b) The applicant is deceased. 839
1249+ 3.(c) The applicant has been convicted of a felony for 840
1250+which his or her voting rights have not been restored. 841
1251+ 4.(d) The applicant has been adjudicated mentally 842
1252+incapacitated with respect to the right to vote and such right 843
1253+has not been restored. 844
1254+ 5.(e) The applicant does not meet the age requirement 845
1255+pursuant to s. 97.041. 846
1256+ 6.(f) The applicant is not a United States citizen. 847
1257+ 7.(g) The applicant is a fictitious person. 848
1258+ 8.(h) The applicant has provided an address of legal 849
1259+residence that is not his or her legal residence. 850
1260+
1261+HB 1381 2025
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1263+
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1268+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1269+
1270+
1271+
1272+ 9.(i) The applicant has provided a driver license number, 851
1273+Florida identification card number, or the last four digits of a 852
1274+social security number that is not verifiable by the department. 853
1275+ (b) If the latest voter registration records show that a 854
1276+new applicant was previously registered but subsequently removed 855
1277+for ineligibility by reason of a felony conviction without 856
1278+voting rights restored, adjudication as mentally incapacitated 857
1279+with respect to voting witho ut voting rights restored, death, or 858
1280+for not being a United States citizen, the supervisor must 859
1281+process the application in accordance with s. 97.053. However, 860
1282+the supervisor, within 7 days of receiving such application, 861
1283+shall determine whether the informat ion is still credible and 862
1284+reliable and, if applicable, follow procedures to notify the 863
1285+voter pursuant to s. 98.075(7). 864
1286+ (2) REMOVAL OF REGISTERED VOTERS. — 865
1287+ (a) Once a voter is registered, the name of that voter may 866
1288+not be removed from the statewide voter registration system 867
1289+except at the written request of the voter, by reason of the 868
1290+voter's conviction of a felony or adjudication as mentally 869
1291+incapacitated with respect to voting, by death of the voter, or 870
1292+pursuant to a registration list maintenance activit y conducted 871
1293+pursuant to s. 98.065 or s. 98.075. 872
1294+ (b) Information received by a voter registration official 873
1295+from an election official in another state indicating that a 874
1296+registered voter in this state has subsequently registered to 875
1297+
1298+HB 1381 2025
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1305+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1306+
1307+
1308+
1309+vote in that other state must shall be considered as a written 876
1310+request from the voter to have the voter's name removed from the 877
1311+statewide voter registration system. The voter's name must be 878
1312+removed within 7 days after receipt of such information. 879
1313+ Section 13. Section 98.065, Fl orida Statutes, is amended 880
1314+to read: 881
1315+ 98.065 Registration list maintenance programs. — 882
1316+ (1) PURPOSE.—The supervisor shall must conduct a general 883
1317+registration list maintenance program to protect the integrity 884
1318+of the electoral process by ensuring the mainten ance of accurate 885
1319+and current voter registration records in the statewide voter 886
1320+registration system. The program must be uniform, 887
1321+nondiscriminatory, and in compliance with the Voting Rights Act 888
1322+of 1965, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, and the 889
1323+Help America Vote Act of 2002. As used in this subsection, the 890
1324+term "nondiscriminatory" applies to and includes persons with 891
1325+disabilities. 892
1326+ (2) ANNUAL REGISTRATION LIST MAINTENANCE. —A supervisor 893
1327+shall must incorporate one or more of the following procedure s 894
1328+in the supervisor's annual registration list maintenance program 895
1329+under which the supervisor shall: 896
1330+ (a) Use change-of-address information supplied by the 897
1331+United States Postal Service through its licensees to identify 898
1332+registered voters whose addresses mi ght have changed. 899
1333+Additionally, in odd -numbered years, unless the supervisor is 900
1334+
1335+HB 1381 2025
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1337+
1338+
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1342+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1343+
1344+
1345+
1346+conducting the procedure specified in paragraph (b), the 901
1347+supervisor must identify change -of-address information from 902
1348+address confirmation final notices mailed to all registered 903
1349+voters who have not voted in the preceding two general elections 904
1350+or any intervening election and who have not made a request that 905
1351+their registration records be updated during that time; or 906
1352+ (b) Identify change -of-address information from returned 907
1353+nonforwardable return-if-undeliverable address confirmation 908
1354+requests sent to all registered voters in the county. 909
1355+ (3) TIMELINE.—A registration list maintenance program must 910
1356+be conducted by each supervisor, at a minimum, once each year, 911
1357+beginning no later than A pril 1, and must be completed at least 912
1358+90 days before the date of any federal election. All list 913
1359+maintenance actions associated with each voter must be entered, 914
1360+tracked, recorded, and maintained in the statewide voter 915
1361+registration system. 916
1362+ (4) CHANGE OF ADDRESS INFORMATION. — 917
1363+ (a) If the supervisor receives change -of-address 918
1364+information pursuant to the activities conducted in subsection 919
1365+(2), from jury notices signed by the voter and returned to the 920
1366+courts, from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor 921
1367+Vehicles, or from other sources which indicates that a 922
1368+registered voter's legal residence might have changed to another 923
1369+location within the state, the supervisor must change the 924
1370+registration records to reflect the new address and must send 925
1371+
1372+HB 1381 2025
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1374+
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1379+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1380+
1381+
1382+
1383+the voter an address change notice as provided in s. 98.0655(2). 926
1384+ (b) If the supervisor of elections receives change -of-927
1385+address information pursuant to the activities conducted in 928
1386+subsection (2), from jury notices signed by the voter and 929
1387+returned to the courts, or from ot her sources which indicates 930
1388+that a registered voter's legal residence might have changed to 931
1389+a location outside the state, the supervisor of elections must 932
1390+shall send an address confirmation final notice to the voter as 933
1391+provided in s. 98.0655(3). 934
1392+ (c) If an address confirmation request required by 935
1393+paragraph (2)(b) is returned as undeliverable without indication 936
1394+of an address change, or if any other nonforwardable return -if-937
1395+undeliverable mail is returned as undeliverable with no 938
1396+indication of an address chan ge, the supervisor must send an 939
1397+address confirmation final notice to the voter. 940
1398+ (d) The supervisor may use other credible and reliable 941
1399+sources including commercially available data, such as address 942
1400+information from national credit reporting agencies, to compare 943
1401+against voter registration records and to conduct address list 944
1402+maintenance. 945
1403+ (e) The supervisor shall must designate as inactive all 946
1404+voters who have been sent an address confirmation final notice 947
1405+and who have not returned the postage prepaid, prea ddressed 948
1406+return form within 30 days or for which the final notice has 949
1407+been returned as undeliverable. Names on the inactive list may 950
1408+
1409+HB 1381 2025
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1411+
1412+
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1416+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1417+
1418+
1419+
1420+not be used to calculate the number of signatures needed on any 951
1421+petition. A voter on the inactive list may be restored to t he 952
1422+active list of voters upon the voter updating his or her 953
1423+registration and confirming his or her current address of legal 954
1424+residence, requesting a vote -by-mail ballot and confirming his 955
1425+or her current address of legal residence, or appearing to vote 956
1426+and confirming his or her current address of legal residence. 957
1427+However, if the voter does not update his or her voter 958
1428+registration information, request a vote -by-mail ballot, or vote 959
1429+by the second general election after being placed on the 960
1430+inactive list, the vot er's name must shall be removed from the 961
1431+statewide voter registration system and the voter must shall be 962
1432+required to reregister to have his or her name restored to the 963
1433+statewide voter registration system. 964
1434+ (5) NOTICE.—A notice may not be issued pursuant to this 965
1435+section, and a voter's name may not be removed from the 966
1436+statewide voter registration system later than 90 days before 967
1437+prior to the date of a federal election. However, this section 968
1438+does not preclude the correction of registration records based 969
1439+on information submitted by the voter or removal of the name of 970
1440+a voter from the statewide voter registration system at any time 971
1441+upon the voter's written request, by reason of the voter's 972
1442+death, or upon a determination of the voter's ineligibility as 973
1443+provided in s. 98.075(7). 974
1444+ (6) ANNUAL REVIEW OF VOTER RECORDS FOR RESIDENCY. —The 975
1445+
1446+HB 1381 2025
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1448+
1449+
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1453+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1454+
1455+
1456+
1457+supervisor shall, at a minimum, conduct an annual review of 976
1458+voter registration records to identify registration records in 977
1459+which a voter is registered at an address that may not be an 978
1460+address of legal residence for the voter. For those registration 979
1461+records with such addresses that the supervisor has reasonable 980
1462+belief are not legal residential addresses, the supervisor shall 981
1463+initiate list maintenance activities pursuant to s. 98.075(6) 982
1464+and (7). 983
1465+ (7) CERTIFICATION OF ACTIVITIES. — 984
1466+ (a) No later than July 31 and January 31 of each year, the 985
1467+supervisor shall must certify to the department the address list 986
1468+maintenance activities conducted during the first 6 months and 987
1469+the second 6 months of the year, respectively, including the 988
1470+number of address confirmation requests sent, the number of 989
1471+voters designated as inactive, and the number of voters removed 990
1472+from the statewide voter registration system. 991
1473+ (b) If, based on the certification provided p ursuant to 992
1474+paragraph (a), the department determines that a supervisor has 993
1475+not conducted the list maintenance activities required by this 994
1476+section, the department must shall conduct the appropriate list 995
1477+maintenance activities for that county. Failure to cond uct list 996
1478+maintenance activities as required in this section constitutes a 997
1479+violation of s. 104.051. 998
1480+ Section 14. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 98.075, 999
1481+Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1000
1482+
1483+HB 1381 2025
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1485+
1486+
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1490+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1491+
1492+
1493+
1494+ 98.075 Registration records maintenance activities; 1001
1495+ineligibility determinations. — 1002
1496+ (2) DUPLICATE REGISTRATION. — 1003
1497+ (a) The department shall identify those voters who are 1004
1498+registered more than once or those applicants whose registration 1005
1499+applications within this the state would result in duplicate 1006
1500+registrations. The most recent application must shall be deemed 1007
1501+an update to the voter registration record. 1008
1502+ (b)1. The department may become a member of a 1009
1503+nongovernmental entity whose sole purpose is to share and 1010
1504+exchange information in order to verify voter registration 1011
1505+information. The membership of the nongovernmental entity must 1012
1506+be composed solely of election officials of state governments, 1013
1507+except that such membership may also include election officials 1014
1508+of the District of Columbia. If the department intends to become 1015
1509+a member of such a nongovernmental entity, the agreement to join 1016
1510+the entity must require that the Secretary of State, or his or 1017
1511+her designee, serve as a full member with voting rights on the 1018
1512+nongovernmental entity's board of directors within 12 months 1019
1513+after joining the entity. The department may enter into 1020
1514+memorandums of understanding with other state governments. 1021
1515+ 2. The department may share confidential and exempt 1022
1516+information with another state government after agreeing to a 1023
1517+memorandum of understanding o r after becoming a member of a 1024
1518+nongovernmental entity as provided in subparagraph 1. if: 1025
1519+
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1527+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1528+
1529+
1530+
1531+ a. Each state government or each member of the 1026
1532+nongovernmental entity agrees to maintain the confidentiality of 1027
1533+such information as required by the laws of the juris diction 1028
1534+providing the information; or 1029
1535+ b. The bylaws of the nongovernmental entity require member 1030
1536+jurisdictions and the entity to maintain the confidentiality of 1031
1537+information as required by the laws of the jurisdiction 1032
1538+providing the information. 1033
1539+ 3. The department may only become a member of a 1034
1540+nongovernmental entity as provided in subparagraph 1. if the 1035
1541+entity is controlled and operated by the participating 1036
1542+jurisdictions. The entity may not be operated or controlled by 1037
1543+the Federal Government or any other e ntity acting on behalf of 1038
1544+the Federal Government. The department must be able to withdraw 1039
1545+at any time from any such membership entered into. 1040
1546+ 4. If the department enters into a memorandum of 1041
1547+understanding with another state government or becomes a member 1042
1548+of a nongovernmental entity as provided in subparagraph 1., the 1043
1549+Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles must, pursuant 1044
1550+to a written agreement with the department, provide driver 1045
1551+license or identification card information to the department for 1046
1552+the purpose of sharing and exchanging voter registration 1047
1553+information with the other state government or nongovernmental 1048
1554+entity. 1049
1555+ 5. If the department becomes a member of a nongovernmental 1050
1556+
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1564+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1565+
1566+
1567+
1568+entity as provided in subparagraph 1., the department must 1051
1569+submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, 1052
1570+and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 1 of 1053
1571+each year. The report must describe the terms of the 1054
1572+nongovernmental entity membership and provide information on the 1055
1573+total number of voters r emoved from the voter registration 1056
1574+system as a result of the membership and the reasons for their 1057
1575+removal. 1058
1576+ (c) Information received by the department from another 1059
1577+state or the District of Columbia upon the department becoming a 1060
1578+member of a nongovernmenta l entity as provided in subparagraph 1061
1579+(b)1., which is confidential or exempt pursuant to the laws of 1062
1580+that state or the District of Columbia, is exempt from s. 1063
1581+119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. The 1064
1582+department shall provide such inform ation to the supervisors to 1065
1583+conduct registration list maintenance activities. 1066
1584+ (3) DECEASED PERSONS. — 1067
1585+ (a)1. The department shall identify those registered 1068
1586+voters who are deceased by comparing information received from: 1069
1587+ a. The Department of Health as p rovided in s. 98.093; 1070
1588+ b. The United States Social Security Administration, 1071
1589+including, but not limited to, any master death file or index 1072
1590+compiled by the United States Social Security Administration; or 1073
1591+and 1074
1592+ c. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. 1075
1593+
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1601+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1602+
1603+
1604+
1605+ 2. Within 7 days after receipt of such information through 1076
1606+the statewide voter registration system, the supervisor shall 1077
1607+remove the name of the registered voter. 1078
1608+ (b) The supervisor shall remove the name of a deceased 1079
1609+registered voter from the statewide voter registration system 1080
1610+within 7 days after: 1081
1611+ 1. Receipt of a copy of a death certificate issued by a 1082
1612+governmental agency authorized to issue death certificates ; or 1083
1613+ 2. A published obituary or notice of death, a letter of 1084
1614+probate or estate administration, or personal knowledge that is 1085
1615+verified pursuant to s. 92.525, of a registered voter's death . 1086
1616+ Section 15. Section 98.094, Florida Statutes, is created 1087
1617+to read: 1088
1618+ 98.094 Federal jury notice. — 1089
1619+ (1) Lists of registered voters must be provid ed to federal 1090
1620+courts for purposes of selecting jurors on the condition that 1091
1621+the jury coordinator provides notice pursuant to subsection (2) 1092
1622+regarding ineligible or potentially ineligible voters. 1093
1623+ (2) The jury coordinator shall prepare or cause to be 1094
1624+prepared a list of each person disqualified or potentially 1095
1625+disqualified as a prospective juror from jury service due to not 1096
1626+being a United States citizen, being convicted of a felony, 1097
1627+being deceased, not being a resident of this state, or not being 1098
1628+a resident of the county. The list must be prepared and sent to 1099
1629+the division according to the jury summons cycle used by the 1100
1630+
1631+HB 1381 2025
1632+
1633+
1634+
1635+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1638+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1639+
1640+
1641+
1642+court clerk and may be provided by mail, facsimile, e -mail or 1101
1643+other electronic means. This section does not prevent the list 1102
1644+from being sent more frequently. 1103
1645+ (3) The jury coordinator shall provide the division with 1104
1646+all of the following information about each disqualified juror: 1105
1647+ (a) His or her full name. 1106
1648+ (b) Current and prior addresses, if any. 1107
1649+ (c) Telephone number, if available. 1108
1650+ (d) Date of birth. 1109
1651+ (e) The reason for disqualification. 1110
1652+ (4) The division shall provide the information to the 1111
1653+supervisors in each county of residence for a disqualified 1112
1654+juror, and the supervisor shall initiate list maintenance 1113
1655+pursuant to s. 98.065, or eligib ility maintenance pursuant to s. 1114
1656+98.075(7). 1115
1657+ Section 16. Subsection (2) of section 98.212, Florida 1116
1658+Statutes, is amended to read: 1117
1659+ 98.212 Department and supervisors to furnish statistical 1118
1660+and other information. — 1119
1661+ (2) The supervisors shall provide information as requested 1120
1662+by the department, including for program evaluation and 1121
1663+reporting to the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to 1122
1664+federal law, and by the Legislature . The department may adopt 1123
1665+rules as necessary to establish the required content and 1124
1666+acceptable formats for such information. 1125
1667+
1668+HB 1381 2025
1669+
1670+
1671+
1672+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1675+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1676+
1677+
1678+
1679+ Section 17. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 1126
1680+99.012, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1127
1681+ 99.012 Restrictions on individuals qualifying for public 1128
1682+office.— 1129
1683+ (1) As used in this section: 1130
1684+ (b) "Qualify" means to fulfill the requirements set forth 1131
1685+in s. 99.061(5)(a) s. 99.061(7)(a) or s. 105.031(5)(a). 1132
1686+ Section 18. Present paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of 1133
1687+section 99.021, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph 1134
1688+(f), and a new paragraph (e) is added to that subsection, to 1135
1689+read: 1136
1690+ 99.021 Form of candidate oath. — 1137
1691+ (1) 1138
1692+ (e) A person's compliance with the 365 -day requirements in 1139
1693+paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) may be challenged by a qualified 1140
1694+candidate or a political party with qualified cand idates in the 1141
1695+same race by filing an action in the circuit court for the 1142
1696+county in which the qualifying officer is headquartered. A 1143
1697+person may not be qualified as a candidate for nomination or 1144
1698+election and his or her name may not appear on the ballot if a 1145
1699+court order becomes final and determines that: 1146
1700+ 1. The person seeking to qualify for nomination as a 1147
1701+candidate of any political party has not been registered member 1148
1702+of that party for the 365 -day period preceding the beginning of 1149
1703+qualifying; or 1150
1704+
1705+HB 1381 2025
1706+
1707+
1708+
1709+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1712+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1713+
1714+
1715+
1716+ 2. The person seeking to qualify for office as a candidate 1151
1717+with no party affiliation has not been registered without party 1152
1718+affiliation for, or has been a registered member of any 1153
1719+political party during, the 365 -day period preceding the 1154
1720+beginning of qualifying. 1155
1721+ Section 19. Section 99.061, Florida Statutes, is amended 1156
1722+to read: 1157
1723+ 99.061 Method of qualifying for nomination or election to 1158
1724+federal, state, county, or district office. — 1159
1725+ (1) QUALIFYING OFFICE AND PERIODS. — 1160
1726+ (a) The provisions of any special act to the contrary 1161
1727+notwithstanding, each person seeking to qualify for nomination 1162
1728+or election to a federal, state, or multicounty district office, 1163
1729+other than election to a judicial office as defined in chapter 1164
1730+105 or the office of school board member, must shall file his or 1165
1731+her qualification papers with, and pay the qualifying fee, which 1166
1732+consists shall consist of the filing fee and election 1167
1733+assessment, and party assessment, if any has been levied, to, 1168
1734+the Department of State , or qualify by the petition process 1169
1735+pursuant to s. 99.095 with the Department of State . The 1170
1736+qualifying period is any time after , at any time after noon of 1171
1737+the 1st day for qualifying, which shall be as follows : 1172
1738+ 1. Noon of the 134th the 120th day before prior to the 1173
1739+primary election, but not later than noon of the 130th 116th day 1174
1740+before prior to the date of the primary election, for persons 1175
1741+
1742+HB 1381 2025
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1744+
1745+
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1749+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1750+
1751+
1752+
1753+seeking to qualify for nomination or election to federal office 1176
1754+or to the office of the state attorney or the public defender; 1177
1755+and 1178
1756+ 2. Noon of the 92nd 71st day before prior to the primary 1179
1757+election, but not later than noon of the 88th 67th day before 1180
1758+prior to the date of the primary election, for persons seeking 1181
1759+to qualify for nomination or election to a state or multic ounty 1182
1760+district office, other than the office of the state attorney or 1183
1761+the public defender. 1184
1762+ (b)(2) The provisions of any special act to the contrary 1185
1763+notwithstanding, each person seeking to qualify for nomination 1186
1764+or election to a county office, or district office not covered 1187
1765+by paragraph (a) subsection (1), shall file his or her 1188
1766+qualification papers with, and pay the qualifying fee, which 1189
1767+consists shall consist of the filing fee and election 1190
1768+assessment, and party assessment, if any has been levied, to, 1191
1769+the supervisor of elections of the county, or shall qualify by 1192
1770+the petition process pursuant to s. 99.095 with the supervisor 1193
1771+of elections. The deadline for filin g is, at any time after noon 1194
1772+of the 92nd 1st day for qualifying, which shall be the 71st day 1195
1773+before prior to the primary election, but not later than noon of 1196
1774+the 88th 67th day before prior to the date of the primary 1197
1775+election. Within 30 days after the closi ng of qualifying time, 1198
1776+the supervisor of elections shall remit to the secretary of the 1199
1777+state executive committee of the political party to which the 1200
1778+
1779+HB 1381 2025
1780+
1781+
1782+
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1786+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1787+
1788+
1789+
1790+candidate belongs the amount of the filing fee, two -thirds of 1201
1791+which must shall be used to promote the candi dacy of candidates 1202
1792+for county offices and the candidacy of members of the 1203
1793+Legislature. 1204
1794+ (c)(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of any special act 1205
1795+to the contrary, each person seeking to qualify for election to 1206
1796+a special district office shall qualify betwee n noon of the 92nd 1207
1797+71st day before prior to the primary election and noon of the 1208
1798+88th 67th day before prior to the date of the primary election. 1209
1799+Candidates for single -county special districts shall qualify 1210
1800+with the supervisor of elections in the county in which the 1211
1801+district is located. If the district is a multicounty district, 1212
1802+candidates must shall qualify with the Department of State. All 1213
1803+special district candidates must shall qualify by paying a 1214
1804+filing fee of $25 or qualify by the petition process pursua nt to 1215
1805+s. 99.095. Notwithstanding s. 106.021, a candidate who does not 1216
1806+collect contributions and whose only expense is the filing fee 1217
1807+or signature verification fee is not required to appoint a 1218
1808+campaign treasurer or designate a primary campaign depository. 1219
1809+ (d) Notwithstanding the qualifying periods described by 1220
1810+this section, in each year in which the Legislature apportions 1221
1811+the state, the qualifying period for persons seeking to qualify 1222
1812+for nomination or election to federal office is between noon of 1223
1813+the 92nd day before the primary election, but not later than 1224
1814+noon of the 88th day before the primary election. 1225
1815+
1816+HB 1381 2025
1817+
1818+
1819+
1820+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1823+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1824+
1825+
1826+
1827+ (2) WRITE-IN CANDIDATES.— 1226
1828+ (a)(4)(a) Each person seeking to qualify for election to 1227
1829+office as a write-in candidate must shall file his or her 1228
1830+qualification papers with the respective qualifying officer at 1229
1831+any time after noon of the 1st day for qualifying, but not later 1230
1832+than noon of the last day of the qualifying period for the 1231
1833+office sought. 1232
1834+ (b) Any person who is seeking election as a write -in 1233
1835+candidate is shall not be required to pay a filing fee, election 1234
1836+assessment, or party assessment. A write -in candidate is not 1235
1837+entitled to have his or her name printed on any ballot; however, 1236
1838+space for the write-in candidate's name to be written in must be 1237
1839+provided on the general election ballot. A person may not 1238
1840+qualify as a write-in candidate if the person has also otherwise 1239
1841+qualified for nomination or election to such office. 1240
1842+ (3)(5) DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL INTEREST. —At the time of 1241
1843+qualifying for office, each c andidate must file the following as 1242
1844+applicable: 1243
1845+ (a) A candidate for a constitutional office, or for 1244
1846+another elective office subject to an annual filing requirement 1245
1847+pursuant to s. 112.3144, shall file a full and public disclosure 1246
1848+of financial interests pu rsuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State 1247
1849+Constitution, which must be verified under oath or affirmation 1248
1850+pursuant to s. 92.525(1)(a) . A candidate who is subject to an 1249
1851+annual filing requirement under s. 112.3144 may file a 1250
1852+
1853+HB 1381 2025
1854+
1855+
1856+
1857+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1860+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1861+
1862+
1863+
1864+verification or receipt of electronic f iling pursuant to s. 1251
1865+112.3144(4) for the purposes of qualifying only. , and a 1252
1866+ (b) A candidate for any other office, including local 1253
1867+elective office, shall file a statement of financial interests 1254
1868+pursuant to s. 112.3145. A candidate who is subject to an an nual 1255
1869+filing requirement under s. 112.3144 may file a verification or 1256
1870+receipt of electronic filing pursuant to s. 112.3144(4). A 1257
1871+candidate who is subject to an annual filing requirement under 1258
1872+s. 112.3145 may file instead a verification or receipt of 1259
1873+electronic filing pursuant to s. 112.3145(2)(c) for the purposes 1260
1874+of qualifying only unless the candidate is required to file a 1261
1875+full and public disclosure of financial interests pursuant to s. 1262
1876+8, Art. II of the State Constituti on or this subsection . 1263
1877+ (4)(6) CERTIFICATION.—After the end of the qualifying 1264
1878+period, the department has no more than 3 business days to 1265
1879+process submitted qualifying papers. The Department of State 1266
1880+shall certify to the supervisor of elections, within 7 da ys 1267
1881+after the closing date for qualifying, the names of all duly 1268
1882+qualified candidates for nomination or election who have 1269
1883+qualified with the Department of State. 1270
1884+ (5)(7) QUALIFYING PAPERS.— 1271
1885+ (a) In order for a candidate to be qualified, the 1272
1886+following items must be received by the filing officer by the 1273
1887+end of the qualifying period: 1274
1888+ 1. A properly executed cashier's check purchased from the 1275
1889+
1890+HB 1381 2025
1891+
1892+
1893+
1894+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1897+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1898+
1899+
1900+
1901+candidate's campaign account or check drawn upon the candidate's 1276
1902+campaign account payable to the person or entity as p rescribed 1277
1903+by the filing officer in an amount not less than the fee 1278
1904+required by s. 99.092, unless the candidate obtained the 1279
1905+required number of signatures on petitions pursuant to s. 1280
1906+99.095. The filing fee for a special district candidate is not 1281
1907+required to be drawn upon the candidate's campaign account. If a 1282
1908+candidate's check is returned by any the bank for any reason, 1283
1909+the filing officer must shall immediately notify the candidate 1284
1910+and the candidate must shall have 48 hours after receipt of 1285
1911+notice, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays until 1286
1912+the end of qualifying to pay the fee with a cashier's check 1287
1913+purchased from funds of the campaign account. Failure to pay the 1288
1914+fee as provided in this subparagraph disqualifies shall 1289
1915+disqualify the candidate. 1290
1916+ 2. The candidate's oath required by s. 99.021, which must 1291
1917+contain the name of the candidate as it is to appear on the 1292
1918+ballot; the office sought, including the district or group 1293
1919+number if applicable; and the signature of the candidate, which 1294
1920+must be verified under oath or affirmation pursuant to s. 1295
1921+92.525(1)(a). 1296
1922+ 3. If the office sought is partisan, the written statement 1297
1923+of political party affiliation required by s. 99.021(1)(b); or 1298
1924+if the candidate is running without party affiliation for a 1299
1925+partisan office, the written statement required by s. 1300
1926+
1927+HB 1381 2025
1928+
1929+
1930+
1931+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
1932+hb1381-00
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1934+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1935+
1936+
1937+
1938+99.021(1)(c). 1301
1939+ 4. The completed form for the appointment of campaign 1302
1940+treasurer and designation of campaign depository, as required by 1303
1941+s. 106.021. The form does not need to be resubmitted if the form 1304
1942+on file, which was filed with the qualifying officer before the 1305
1943+prequalifying or qualifying period, is current. 1306
1944+ 5. The full and public disclosure or statement of 1307
1945+financial interests required by subsection (3) (5). A public 1308
1946+officer who has filed the full and public disclos ure or 1309
1947+statement of financial interests with the Commission on Ethics 1310
1948+before qualifying for office may file a copy of that disclosure 1311
1949+or a verification or receipt of electronic filing as provided in 1312
1950+subsection (3) (5) at the time of qualifying. 1313
1951+ (b) If the filing officer receives qualifying papers 1314
1952+during the qualifying period prescribed in this section which do 1315
1953+not include all items as required by paragraph (a) before prior 1316
1954+to the last day of qualifying, the filing officer must shall 1317
1955+make a reasonable effo rt to notify the candidate of the missing 1318
1956+or incomplete items and must shall inform the candidate that all 1319
1957+required items must be received by the close of qualifying. A 1320
1958+candidate's name as it is to appear on the ballot may not be 1321
1959+changed after the end of q ualifying. 1322
1960+ (6)(c) MINISTERIAL ROLE.—The filing officer performs a 1323
1961+ministerial function in reviewing qualifying papers. In 1324
1962+determining whether a candidate is qualified, the filing officer 1325
1963+
1964+HB 1381 2025
1965+
1966+
1967+
1968+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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1971+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1972+
1973+
1974+
1975+shall review the qualifying papers to determine whether all 1326
1976+items required by subsection (5) paragraph (a) have been 1327
1977+properly filed and on the most current form as applicable, and 1328
1978+whether each item is complete on its face, including whether 1329
1979+items that must be verified have been properly verified pursuant 1330
1980+to s. 92.525(1)(a). The filing officer may not determine whether 1331
1981+the contents of the qualifying papers are accurate. 1332
1982+ (7)(8) PREQUALIFYING SUBMISSION PERIOD. —Notwithstanding 1333
1983+the qualifying period prescribed in this section, a qualifying 1334
1984+office may accept and hold qualifyi ng papers submitted not 1335
1985+earlier than 14 days prior to the beginning of the qualifying 1336
1986+period, to be processed and filed during the qualifying period. 1337
1987+ (9) Notwithstanding the qualifying period prescribed by 1338
1988+this section, in each year in which the Legislat ure apportions 1339
1989+the state, the qualifying period for persons seeking to qualify 1340
1990+for nomination or election to federal office shall be between 1341
1991+noon of the 71st day prior to the primary election, but not 1342
1992+later than noon of the 67th day prior to the primary el ection. 1343
1993+ (8)(10) RULEMAKING.—The Department of State may prescribe 1344
1994+by rule requirements for filing papers to qualify as a candidate 1345
1995+under this section. 1346
1996+ (9)(11) EXEMPTION FROM CHAPTER 120. —The decision of the 1347
1997+filing officer concerning whether a candidate is qualified is 1348
1998+exempt from the provisions of chapter 120. 1349
1999+ Section 20. Section 100.191, Florida Statutes, is amended 1350
2000+
2001+HB 1381 2025
2002+
2003+
2004+
2005+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2006+hb1381-00
2007+Page 55 of 166
2008+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2009+
2010+
2011+
2012+to read: 1351
2013+ 100.191 General election laws applicable to special 1352
2014+elections; returns.—All laws that are applicable to general 1353
2015+elections and primary elections are applicable to special 1354
2016+elections or special primary elections , respectively, to fill a 1355
2017+vacancy in office or nomination. The Elections Canvassing 1356
2018+Commission shall certify results in accordance with s. 102.112 1357
2019+immediately, upon recei pt of returns from the county in which a 1358
2020+special election is held, proceed to canvass the returns and 1359
2021+determine and declare the result thereof . 1360
2022+ Section 21. Subsection (1) of section 101.043, Florida 1361
2023+Statutes, is amended to read: 1362
2024+ 101.043 Identification required at polls. — 1363
2025+ (1)(a) The precinct register, as prescribed in s. 98.461, 1364
2026+must shall be used at the polls for the purpose of identifying 1365
2027+the elector at the polls before allowing him or her to vote. The 1366
2028+clerk or inspector shall require each elector, upon entering the 1367
2029+polling place, to present one of the following current and valid 1368
2030+picture identifications: 1369
2031+ 1. Florida driver license. 1370
2032+ 2. Florida identification card issued by the Department of 1371
2033+Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. 1372
2034+ 3. United States passport or passport card. 1373
2035+ 4. Debit or credit card. 1374
2036+ 5. United States uniformed services or Merchant Marine 1375
2037+
2038+HB 1381 2025
2039+
2040+
2041+
2042+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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2045+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2046+
2047+
2048+
2049+Military identification. 1376
2050+ 6. Student identification. 1377
2051+ 7. Retirement center identification. 1378
2052+ 8. Neighborhood association identificati on. 1379
2053+ 9. Public assistance identification. 1380
2054+ 5.10. Veteran health identification card issued by the 1381
2055+United States Department of Veterans Affairs. 1382
2056+ 6.11. A license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm 1383
2057+issued pursuant to s. 790.06. 1384
2058+ 7.12. Any other Employee identification card issued by any 1385
2059+branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, 1386
2060+the state, a county, or a municipality. 1387
2061+ (b) If the picture identification does not contain the 1388
2062+signature of the elector, an additional identification t hat 1389
2063+provides the elector's signature is shall be required. The 1390
2064+address appearing on the identification presented by the elector 1391
2065+may not be used as the basis to challenge an elector's legal 1392
2066+residence. The elector must shall sign his or her name in the 1393
2067+space provided on the precinct register or on an electronic 1394
2068+device provided for recording the elector's signature. The clerk 1395
2069+or inspector shall compare the signature with that on the 1396
2070+identification provided by the elector and enter his or her 1397
2071+initials in the space provided on the precinct register or on an 1398
2072+electronic device provided for that purpose and allow the 1399
2073+elector to vote if the clerk or inspector is satisfied as to the 1400
2074+
2075+HB 1381 2025
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2077+
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2079+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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2082+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2083+
2084+
2085+
2086+identity of the elector. 1401
2087+ Section 22. Paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section 1402
2088+101.048, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1403
2089+ 101.048 Provisional ballots. — 1404
2090+ (6) 1405
2091+ (d) Instructions must accompany the cure affidavit in 1406
2092+substantially the following form: 1407
2093+ 1408
2094+ READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE 1409
2095+AFFIDAVIT. FAILURE TO FOLL OW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR 1410
2096+BALLOT NOT TO COUNT. 1411
2097+ 1412
2098+ 1. In order to cure the missing signature or the signature 1413
2099+discrepancy on your Provisional Ballot Voter's Certificate and 1414
2100+Affirmation, your affidavit should be completed and returned as 1415
2101+soon as possible so that it can reach the supervisor of 1416
2102+elections of the county in which your precinct is located no 1417
2103+later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election. 1418
2104+ 2. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter's 1419
2105+Signature). 1420
2106+ 3. You must make a copy o f one of the following forms of 1421
2107+identification: 1422
2108+ a. Tier 1 identification. —Current and valid identification 1423
2109+that includes your name and photograph: Florida driver license; 1424
2110+Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway 1425
2111+
2112+HB 1381 2025
2113+
2114+
2115+
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2119+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2120+
2121+
2122+
2123+Safety and Motor Vehicles; United States passport or passport 1426
2124+card; debit or credit card ; United States Uniformed Services or 1427
2125+Merchant Marine military identification; student identification; 1428
2126+retirement center identification; neighborhood association 1429
2127+identification; public as sistance identification; veteran health 1430
2128+identification card issued by the United States Department of 1431
2129+Veterans Affairs; Florida license to carry a concealed weapon or 1432
2130+firearm; or any other employee identification card issued by any 1433
2131+branch, department, agen cy, or entity of the Federal Government, 1434
2132+the state, a county, or a municipality; or 1435
2133+ b. Tier 2 identification. —ONLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TIER 1 1436
2134+FORM OF IDENTIFICATION, identification that shows your name and 1437
2135+current residence address: current utility bill ; bank statement; 1438
2136+government check; paycheck; or government document (excluding 1439
2137+voter information card). 1440
2138+ 4. Place the envelope bearing the affidavit into a mailing 1441
2139+envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy of your 1442
2140+identification in the mailing envelope. Mail (if time permits), 1443
2141+deliver, or have delivered the completed affidavit along with 1444
2142+the copy of your identification to your county supervisor of 1445
2143+elections. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed and 1446
2144+that the supervisor's address is corre ct. Remember, your 1447
2145+information MUST reach your county supervisor of elections no 1448
2146+later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day following the election or your 1449
2147+ballot will not count. 1450
2148+
2149+HB 1381 2025
2150+
2151+
2152+
2153+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2154+hb1381-00
2155+Page 59 of 166
2156+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2157+
2158+
2159+
2160+ 5. Alternatively, you may fax or e -mail your completed 1451
2161+affidavit and a copy of your identification to the supervisor of 1452
2162+elections. If e-mailing, please provide these documents as 1453
2163+attachments. 1454
2164+ 6. Submitting a provisional ballot affidavit does not 1455
2165+establish your eligibility to vote in this election or guarantee 1456
2166+that your ballot will be co unted. The county canvassing board 1457
2167+determines your eligibility to vote through information provided 1458
2168+on the Provisional Ballot Voter's Certificate and Affirmation, 1459
2169+written evidence provided by you, including information in your 1460
2170+cure affidavit along with any supporting identification, and any 1461
2171+other evidence presented by the supervisor of elections or a 1462
2172+challenger. You may still be required to present additional 1463
2173+written evidence to support your eligibility to vote. 1464
2174+ Section 23. Section 101.111, Florida Stat utes, is amended 1465
2175+to read: 1466
2176+ 101.111 Voter challenges. — 1467
2177+ (1)(a) Any registered voter elector or poll watcher of a 1468
2178+county or an election official acting in their official capacity 1469
2179+in the county may challenge at the polls or during early voting 1470
2180+the right of a person to vote in that county. A separate oath is 1471
2181+required for each challenge. The challenge must be in writing 1472
2182+and contain the following oath, which must shall be delivered to 1473
2183+the clerk or inspector: 1474
2184+ 1475
2185+
2186+HB 1381 2025
2187+
2188+
2189+
2190+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2191+hb1381-00
2192+Page 60 of 166
2193+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2194+
2195+
2196+
2197+OATH OF PERSON ENTERING CHALLENGE 1476
2198+ 1477
2199+State of Florida 1478
2200+County of .... 1479
2201+ 1480
2202+I do solemnly swear or affirm that my name is ....; that I am a 1481
2203+member of the .... Party; that I am a registered voter or poll 1482
2204+watcher pollwatcher; that my residence address is ...., in the 1483
2205+municipality of ....; and that I have reason to be lieve that 1484
2206+.... is attempting to vote illegally and the reasons for my 1485
2207+belief are set forth herein to wit: ............................. 1486
2208+................................................................ 1487
2209+................................................................ 1488
2210+...(Signature of person challenging voter)... 1489
2211+...(oath executed as a registered voter or poll watcher)... 1490
2212+ 1491
2213+Sworn and subscribed to before me this .... day of ...., 1492
2214+...(year).... 1493
2215+...(Clerk of election)... 1494
2216+ 1495
2217+OATH OF ELECTION OFFICIAL 1496
2218+ASSERTING INELIGIBILITY OF VOTER 1497
2219+ 1498
2220+State of Florida 1499
2221+County of .... 1500
2222+
2223+HB 1381 2025
2224+
2225+
2226+
2227+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2228+hb1381-00
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2230+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2231+
2232+
2233+
2234+ 1501
2235+I do solemnly swear or affirm that my name is ....; that I am in 1502
2236+my official capacity as an election official asserting based on 1503
2237+credible and reliable information that ...the voter... is 1504
2238+attempting to vote illegally and the reasons for my belief are 1505
2239+set forth herein to wit: 1506
2240+................................ ............................ 1507
2241+................................ ............................ 1508
2242+...(Signature of election official challenging voter)... 1509
2243+ 1510
2244+Sworn and subscribed to before me this .... day of ...., 1511
2245+...(year).... 1512
2246+...(Signature and title of official administering oath)... 1513
2247+ 1514
2248+ (b)1. If the challenge is made at the county's early 1515
2249+voting site or at the polling place on election day, the oath 1516
2250+must be delivered to the clerk or inspector . The clerk or 1517
2251+inspector shall immediately deliver to the challenged person a 1518
2252+copy of the oath of the person en tering the challenge, and the 1519
2253+challenged voter must shall be allowed to cast a provisional 1520
2254+ballot in accordance with s. 101.048 , except as provided in 1521
2255+subparagraph 2. 1522
2256+ 2. If the basis for the challenge is that the person's 1523
2257+legal residence is not in that p recinct, the person shall first 1524
2258+be given the opportunity to execute a change of legal residence 1525
2259+
2260+HB 1381 2025
2261+
2262+
2263+
2264+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2265+hb1381-00
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2267+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2268+
2269+
2270+
2271+in order to be able to vote a regular ballot in accordance with 1526
2272+s. 101.045(2). If the change of legal residence is such that the 1527
2273+person is then properly registe red for that precinct, the person 1528
2274+shall be allowed to vote a regular ballot. If the change of 1529
2275+legal residence places the person in another precinct, the 1530
2276+person shall be directed to the proper precinct to vote. If such 1531
2277+person insists that he or she is curre ntly in the proper 1532
2278+precinct, the person shall be allowed to vote a provisional 1533
2279+ballot in accordance with s. 101.048. 1534
2280+ (c) Alternatively, A challenge may be made in advance in 1535
2281+accordance with this section may be filed in advance with the 1536
2282+supervisor of elections but no sooner than 45 30 days before an 1537
2283+election and not at the early voting site during the early 1538
2284+voting period or polling place on election day . 1539
2285+ 1. The oath must be delivered to the supervisor's office. 1540
2286+The supervisor's office shall, as soon as p racticable, notify a 1541
2287+challenged voter by: 1542
2288+ a. First-class mail with a copy of the written challenge, 1543
2289+and notice of rights pursuant to s. 101.048; 1544
2290+ b. E-mail, if available in the record, with a scanned copy 1545
2291+of the written challenge and notice of rights pu rsuant to s. 1546
2292+101.048; or 1547
2293+ c. By call or text message, if phone number is available 1548
2294+in the record, with instructions on how to obtain a copy of the 1549
2295+written challenge and notice of rights pursuant to s. 101.048. 1550
2296+
2297+HB 1381 2025
2298+
2299+
2300+
2301+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2302+hb1381-00
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2304+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2305+
2306+
2307+
2308+ 2. The supervisor shall also promptly provide the election 1551
2309+board at the early voting site or in the challenged voter's 1552
2310+precinct with a copy of the oath of the person entering the 1553
2311+challenge in the event the voter appears in person to vote in 1554
2312+lieu of voting by mail . The challenged voter must shall be 1555
2313+allowed to cast a provisional ballot in accordance with s. 1556
2314+101.048, subject to the provisions of subparagraph (b)2. 1557
2315+ (2) In the event the challenged voter has requested a 1558
2316+vote-by-mail ballot or has returned a voted ballot which has not 1559
2317+been yet counted, the supervisor shall canvass the returned 1560
2318+ballot as a provisional ballot. 1561
2319+ (3) If the basis for the challenge is that the person's 1562
2320+legal residence is not in that precinct, the person must first 1563
2321+be given the opportunity to execute a change of legal residen ce 1564
2322+in order to be able to vote a regular ballot in accordance with 1565
2323+s. 101.045(2). If the change of legal residence is such that the 1566
2324+person is then properly registered for that precinct, the person 1567
2325+must be allowed to vote a regular ballot. If the change of legal 1568
2326+residence places the person in another precinct, the person must 1569
2327+be directed to the proper precinct to vote. If such person 1570
2328+insists that he or she is currently in the proper precinct, the 1571
2329+person must be allowed to vote a provisional ballot in 1572
2330+accordance with s. 101.048. 1573
2331+ (4) Any elector or poll watcher filing a frivolous 1574
2332+challenge of any person's right to vote commits a misdemeanor of 1575
2333+
2334+HB 1381 2025
2335+
2336+
2337+
2338+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2339+hb1381-00
2340+Page 64 of 166
2341+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2342+
2343+
2344+
2345+the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 1576
2346+775.083; however, electors or poll watchers shall not be subject 1577
2347+to liability for any action taken in good faith and in 1578
2348+furtherance of any activity or duty permitted of such electors 1579
2349+or poll watchers by law. Each instance where any elector or poll 1580
2350+watcher files a frivolous challenge of any person's right to 1581
2351+vote constitutes a separate offense. 1582
2352+ Section 24. Section 101.131, Florida Statutes, is amended 1583
2353+to read: 1584
2354+ 101.131 Watchers at polls. — 1585
2355+ (1) Each political party and each candidate may have one 1586
2356+poll watcher in each polling room or early voting area at any 1587
2357+one time during the election. A political committee formed for 1588
2358+the specific purpose of expressly advocating the passage or 1589
2359+defeat of an issue on the ballot may have one poll watcher for 1590
2360+each polling room or early voting area at any one time during 1591
2361+the election. 1592
2362+ (2)(a) Each poll watcher must be a qualified and 1593
2363+registered voter of the county in which he or she serves. A poll 1594
2364+watcher must complete a minimum 2 -hour training program provided 1595
2365+by the department. 1596
2366+ (b) The department shall make available a 2 -hour training 1597
2367+program for poll watchers designated pursuant to this section. 1598
2368+ (3)(a) A poll watcher appointed for service must be 1599
2369+allowed to observe and report on irregularities in the conduct 1600
2370+
2371+HB 1381 2025
2372+
2373+
2374+
2375+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2376+hb1381-00
2377+Page 65 of 166
2378+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2379+
2380+
2381+
2382+of an election, but may not interfere in the orderly conduct of 1601
2383+elections. Such poll watchers must be allowed to enter and watch 1602
2384+polls in all polling rooms and early voting sites within the 1603
2385+county in which they have been designated as long as the number 1604
2386+of poll watchers at any particular polling place does not exceed 1605
2387+the number provided in this subsection. 1606
2388+ (b) A No watcher may not shall be permitted to come closer 1607
2389+to the officials' table or the voting booths than is reasonably 1608
2390+necessary to properly perform his or her functions, but each 1609
2391+must shall be allowed within the polling room or early voting 1610
2392+area to watch and observe the conduct of voters electors and 1611
2393+officials. The poll watchers must shall furnish their own 1612
2394+materials and necessities and may shall not obstruct the orderly 1613
2395+conduct of any election. The poll watchers may shall pose any 1614
2396+questions regarding polling place procedures directly to the 1615
2397+clerk for resolution. They may not interact with voters or 1616
2398+otherwise disrupt the voting process . Each poll watcher must 1617
2399+shall be a qualified and registered voter elector of the county 1618
2400+in which he or she serves. 1619
2401+ (4)(a)(2) Each party, each political committee, and each 1620
2402+candidate requesting to have poll watchers shall designate, in 1621
2403+writing to the supervisors of elections, on a form prescribed by 1622
2404+the division, before noon of the second Tuesday preceding the 1623
2405+election poll watchers for each polling room on election day. 1624
2406+The form must, at a minimum, elicit the date of election; 1625
2407+
2408+HB 1381 2025
2409+
2410+
2411+
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2413+hb1381-00
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2415+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2416+
2417+
2418+
2419+whether service is for early voting or election da y; the 1626
2420+designated person's voter information card number, name, and 1627
2421+phone number; that the person is a qualified registered voter in 1628
2422+the county of service; the party, the political committee, or 1629
2423+candidate for whom the person is serving as a designated poll 1630
2424+water; that the person has taken the required training program; 1631
2425+and that the person has accepted to serve as a poll watcher, if 1632
2426+approved. 1633
2427+ (b) Designations of poll watchers for early voting areas 1634
2428+must shall be submitted in writing to the supervisor of 1635
2429+elections, on a form prescribed by the division, before noon at 1636
2430+least 14 days before early voting begins. The poll watchers for 1637
2431+polling rooms must shall be approved by the supervisor of 1638
2432+elections on or before the Tuesday before the election. Poll 1639
2433+watchers for early voting areas must shall be approved by the 1640
2434+supervisor of elections no later than 7 days before early voting 1641
2435+begins. 1642
2436+ (c) The supervisor shall furnish to each election board a 1643
2437+list of the poll watchers designated and approved for such 1644
2438+polling rooms or early voting areas. 1645
2439+ (d) Designation of poll watchers must shall be made by the 1646
2440+chair of the county executive committee of a political party, 1647
2441+the chair of a political committee, or the candidate requesting 1648
2442+to have poll watchers. 1649
2443+ (5)(3) No candidate or sheriff, deputy sheriff, police 1650
2444+
2445+HB 1381 2025
2446+
2447+
2448+
2449+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2450+hb1381-00
2451+Page 67 of 166
2452+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2453+
2454+
2455+
2456+officer, or other law enforcement officer may be designated as a 1651
2457+poll watcher. 1652
2458+ (6)(4) All poll watchers must shall be allowed to enter 1653
2459+and watch polls in all polling rooms and early voting areas 1654
2460+within the county in which they have been designated if the 1655
2461+number of poll watchers at any particular polling place does not 1656
2462+exceed the number provided in this section. 1657
2463+ (7)(a)(5) The supervisor of elections shall provide to 1658
2464+each designated poll watcher an identification badge which 1659
2465+identifies the poll watcher as such and includes only the poll 1660
2466+watcher's by name, and the candidate, political committee, or 1661
2467+political party that the poll watcher represents . 1662
2468+ (b) Each poll watcher must wear his or her identification 1663
2469+badge while performing his or her duties. 1664
2470+ (8) The department may adopt rules to administer this 1665
2471+section. 1666
2472+ Section 25. Section 101.151, Flo rida Statutes, is amended 1667
2473+to read: 1668
2474+ 101.151 Specifications for ballots. — 1669
2475+ (1) BALLOT PRINT.— 1670
2476+ (a) Marksense Ballots must shall be printed on paper of 1671
2477+such thickness that the printing cannot be distinguished from 1672
2478+the back and must shall meet the specifications of the voting 1673
2479+system that will be used to tabulate the ballots. 1674
2480+ (b) Polling places and early voting sites may employ a 1675
2481+
2482+HB 1381 2025
2483+
2484+
2485+
2486+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2487+hb1381-00
2488+Page 68 of 166
2489+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2490+
2491+
2492+
2493+ballot-on-demand production system to print individual marksense 1676
2494+ballots, including provisional ballots, for eligible electors. 1677
2495+Ballot-on-demand technology may be used to produce marksense 1678
2496+vote-by-mail, early voting, and election-day ballots. 1679
2497+ (2) OFFICE TITLES.— 1680
2498+ (a) The ballot must include the following office titles 1681
2499+above the names of the candidates for the respective offices in 1682
2500+the following order: 1683
2501+ 1. The office titles of President and Vice President above 1684
2502+the names of the candidates for President and Vice President of 1685
2503+the United States nominated by the political party that received 1686
2504+the highest vote for Governor in the last general election of 1687
2505+the Governor in this state, followed by the names of other 1688
2506+candidates for President and Vice President of the United States 1689
2507+who have been properly nominated. In a presidential preference 1690
2508+primary only, the office title of President may b e placed above 1691
2509+the list of presidential candidate names for such office. 1692
2510+ 2. The office titles of United States Senator and 1693
2511+Representative in Congress. 1694
2512+ 3. The office titles of Governor and Lieutenant Governor; 1695
2513+Attorney General; Chief Financial Officer; Commissioner of 1696
2514+Agriculture; State Attorney, with the applicable judicial 1697
2515+circuit; and Public Defender, with the applicable judicial 1698
2516+circuit. 1699
2517+ 4. The office titles of State Senator and State 1700
2518+
2519+HB 1381 2025
2520+
2521+
2522+
2523+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2524+hb1381-00
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2526+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2527+
2528+
2529+
2530+Representative, with the applicable district for the office 1701
2531+printed beneath. 1702
2532+ 5. The office titles of Clerk of the Circuit Court or, 1703
2533+when the Clerk of the Circuit Court also serves as the County 1704
2534+Comptroller, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, when 1705
2535+authorized by law; Clerk of the County Court, when authorized by 1706
2536+law; Sheriff; Property Appraiser; Tax Collector; District 1707
2537+Superintendent of Schools; and Supervisor of Elections. 1708
2538+ 6. The office titles of Board of County Commissioners, 1709
2539+with the applicable district printed beneath each office, and 1710
2540+such other county an d district offices as are involved in the 1711
2541+election, in the order fixed by the Department of State , 1712
2542+followed, in the year of their election, by "Party Offices," and 1713
2543+thereunder the offices of state and county party executive 1714
2544+committee members. 1715
2545+ (b) In a general election, in addition to the names 1716
2546+printed on the ballot, a blank space must shall be provided 1717
2547+under each office for which a write -in candidate has qualified. 1718
2548+With respect to write -in candidates, if two or more candidates 1719
2549+are seeking election to one o ffice, only one blank space will 1720
2550+shall be provided. 1721
2551+ (c) When more than one candidate is nominated for office, 1722
2552+the candidates for such office must shall qualify and run in a 1723
2553+group or district, and the group or district number must shall 1724
2554+be printed beneath the name of the office. Each nominee of a 1725
2555+
2556+HB 1381 2025
2557+
2558+
2559+
2560+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2561+hb1381-00
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2563+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2564+
2565+
2566+
2567+political party chosen in a primary must shall appear on the 1726
2568+general election ballot in the same numbered group or district 1727
2569+as on the primary election ballot. 1728
2570+ (d) If in any election all the offices as set forth in 1729
2571+paragraph (a) are not involved, those offices not to be filled 1730
2572+must shall be omitted and the remaining offices must shall be 1731
2573+arranged on the ballot in the order named. 1732
2574+ (3) PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT ORDER. — 1733
2575+ (a) The names of the candidates of the party that received 1734
2576+the highest number of votes for Governor in the last election in 1735
2577+which a Governor was elected shall be placed first for each 1736
2578+office on the general election ballot, together with an 1737
2579+appropriate abbreviation of the party name; the names of the 1738
2580+candidates of the party that received the second highest vote 1739
2581+for Governor shall be placed second for each office, together 1740
2582+with an appropriate abbreviation of the party name. 1741
2583+ (b) Minor political party candidates shall have their 1742
2584+names appear on the gene ral election ballot following the names 1743
2585+of recognized political parties, in the same order as they were 1744
2586+qualified, followed by the names of candidates with no party 1745
2587+affiliation, in the order as they were qualified. 1746
2588+ (4)(a) The names of candidates for each office must shall 1747
2589+be arranged alphabetically as to surnames on a primary election 1748
2590+ballot. 1749
2591+ (b) When two or more candidates running for the same 1750
2592+
2593+HB 1381 2025
2594+
2595+
2596+
2597+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2598+hb1381-00
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2600+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2601+
2602+
2603+
2604+office on an election ballot have the same or a similar surname, 1751
2605+the word "incumbent" must appear next to the incumbent's name. 1752
2606+In a primary election only, the office title of Governor may be 1753
2607+placed above the names of the candidates for such office 1754
2608+regardless of whether the candidate for Governor has designated 1755
2609+a Lieutenant Governor as a running mate before the de adline 1756
2610+pursuant to s. 99.063. 1757
2611+ (4) GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT ORDER. — 1758
2612+ (a) The names of the candidates of the party that received 1759
2613+the highest number of votes for Governor in the last election in 1760
2614+which a Governor was elected must be placed first for each 1761
2615+office on the general election ballot, together with an 1762
2616+appropriate abbreviation of the party name; the names of the 1763
2617+candidates of the party that received the second highest vote 1764
2618+for Governor must be placed second for each office, together 1765
2619+with an appropriate abbreviation of the party name. 1766
2620+ (b) The names of minor political party candidates must 1767
2621+appear on the general election ballot following the names of 1768
2622+recognized political parties, in the same order as they were 1769
2623+qualified, followed by the names of candi dates with no party 1770
2624+affiliation, in the order they were qualified 1771
2625+ (5) The primary election ballot shall be arranged so that 1772
2626+the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor are joined in a 1773
2627+single voting space to allow each elector to cast a single vote 1774
2628+for the joint candidacies for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, 1775
2629+
2630+HB 1381 2025
2631+
2632+
2633+
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2635+hb1381-00
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2637+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2638+
2639+
2640+
2641+if applicable. 1776
2642+ (c)(6) The general election ballot must shall be arranged 1777
2643+so that the offices of President and Vice President are joined 1778
2644+in a single voting space to allow each elector to cast a single 1779
2645+vote for the joint candidacies for President and Vice President 1780
2646+and so that the offices of Governor and Lieutenant G overnor are 1781
2647+joined in a single voting space to allow each elector to cast a 1782
2648+single vote for the joint candidacies for Governor and 1783
2649+Lieutenant Governor. 1784
2650+ (d)(7) Except for justices or judges seeking retention, 1785
2651+the names of unopposed candidates may shall not appear on the 1786
2652+general election ballot. Each unopposed candidate shall be 1787
2653+deemed to have voted for himself or herself. 1788
2654+ (5)(8) LANGUAGE.—In counties subject to multi -language 1789
2655+ballot requirements, the supervisor may petition the United 1790
2656+States Department of Justice for authorization for the 1791
2657+supervisor to print and deliver single -language ballots for each 1792
2658+minority language required. 1793
2659+ (6)(9) RULEMAKING.— 1794
2660+ (a) The Department of State shall adopt rules prescribing 1795
2661+a uniform primary and general election ballot for each certified 1796
2662+voting system. The rules must shall incorporate the requirements 1797
2663+set forth in this section and shall prescribe additional matters 1798
2664+and forms that include, without limitation: 1799
2665+ 1. The ballot title followed by clear and unambiguous 1800
2666+
2667+HB 1381 2025
2668+
2669+
2670+
2671+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2672+hb1381-00
2673+Page 73 of 166
2674+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2675+
2676+
2677+
2678+ballot instructions and directions limited to a single location 1801
2679+on the ballot, either: 1802
2680+ a. Centered across the top of the ballot; or 1803
2681+ b. In the leftmost column, with no individual races in 1804
2682+that column unless it is the only column on the ballot; 1805
2683+ 2. Individual race layout; and 1806
2684+ 3. Overall ballot layout. 1807
2685+ (b) The rules must graphically depict a sample uniform 1808
2686+primary and general election ballot form for each certified 1809
2687+voting system. 1810
2688+ Section 26. Section 101.20, Florida Statutes, is amended 1811
2689+to read: 1812
2690+ 101.20 Publication of ballot form; sample ballots. — 1813
2691+ (1) Two sample ballots shall be furnished to each polling 1814
2692+place by the officer whose duty it is to provide official 1815
2693+ballots. The sample ballots shall be in the form of the official 1816
2694+ballot as it will appear at that polling place on election day. 1817
2695+Sample ballots shall be open to inspection by all electors in 1818
2696+any election, and a sufficient number of reduced -size ballots 1819
2697+may be furnished to election officials so that one may be given 1820
2698+to any elector desiring same. 1821
2699+ (2)(a) Upon completion of the list of qualified 1822
2700+candidates, a Sample ballots must ballot shall be published by 1823
2701+the supervisor in a newspaper of general circulation in the 1824
2702+county, through the supervisor's website, or on the county's 1825
2703+
2704+HB 1381 2025
2705+
2706+
2707+
2708+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2709+hb1381-00
2710+Page 74 of 166
2711+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2712+
2713+
2714+
2715+website as provided in s. 50.0311. Such newspaper or online 1826
2716+publication must occur no later than 7 days before the start of 1827
2717+early voting as scheduled for an election in the county before 1828
2718+the day of election. 1829
2719+ (b) In lieu of the publication required under paragraph 1830
2720+(a), a supervisor may send a sample ballot to each registered 1831
2721+voter no later than 7 days before the start of early voting as 1832
2722+scheduled for an election in the county. 1833
2723+ 1. If an e-mail address is on file, the sample ballot may 1834
2724+be e-mailed or provided by other elector by e-mail at least 7 1835
2725+days before an election if an e -mail address has been provided 1836
2726+and the elector has opted to receive a sample ballot by 1837
2727+electronic delivery. 1838
2728+ 2. If an e-mail address is not on file has not been 1839
2729+provided, or if the voter elector has not opted for electronic 1840
2730+delivery, a sample ballot may be mailed to each registered voter 1841
2731+elector or to each household in which there is a registered 1842
2732+voter no later than elector at least 7 days before the start of 1843
2733+early voting as scheduled for an election in the county. 1844
2734+ (2) Sample ballots must be available in each polling place 1845
2735+for voters to inspect, either as a display or upon request. 1846
2736+ (3) A sample ballot may be in the format of an official 1847
2737+ballot but must be watermarked with the word "SAMPLE" or 1848
2738+otherwise indicate that it is a sample ballot. 1849
2739+ Section 27. Section 101.252, Florida Statutes, is amended 1850
2740+
2741+HB 1381 2025
2742+
2743+
2744+
2745+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2746+hb1381-00
2747+Page 75 of 166
2748+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2749+
2750+
2751+
2752+to read: 1851
2753+ 101.252 Candidates entitled to have names printed on 1852
2754+certain ballots; exception. — 1853
2755+ (1) Any candidate for nomination who has qualified as 1854
2756+prescribed by law is entitled to have his or her name printed on 1855
2757+the official primary election ballot. However, when there is 1856
2758+only one candidate of any political party qualified for an 1857
2759+office, the name of the candidate may shall not be printed on 1858
2760+the primary election ballot, and such candidate shall be 1859
2761+declared nominated for the office. This section does not apply 1860
2762+to candidates for political party executive committees. 1861
2763+ (2) Any candidate for party executive committee member who 1862
2764+has qualified as prescribed by law is entitled to have his or 1863
2765+her name printed on the primary election ballot. However, when 1864
2766+there is only one candidate of any political party qualified for 1865
2767+such an office, the name of the candidate shall not be printed 1866
2768+on the primary election ballot, and su ch candidate shall be 1867
2769+declared elected to the state or county executive committe e. 1868
2770+ Section 28. Section 101.2521, Florida Statutes, is created 1869
2771+to read: 1870
2772+ 101.2521 Restriction on the withdrawal of certain 1871
2773+candidates.—If a qualified candidate withdraws af ter the end of 1872
2774+qualifying for the primary election and his or her withdrawal 1873
2775+results in the winner of a contest in the primary election 1874
2776+becoming an unopposed candidate for the general election, such 1875
2777+
2778+HB 1381 2025
2779+
2780+
2781+
2782+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2783+hb1381-00
2784+Page 76 of 166
2785+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2786+
2787+
2788+
2789+contest must be instead placed on the general election ba llot. 1876
2790+ Section 29. Subsection (4) of section 101.5606, Florida 1877
2791+Statutes, is amended to read: 1878
2792+ 101.5606 Requirements for approval of systems. —No 1879
2793+electronic or electromechanical voting system shall be approved 1880
2794+by the Department of State unless it is so constructed that: 1881
2795+ (4) For systems using marksense ballots, It accepts a 1882
2796+rejected ballot pursuant to subsection (3) if a voter chooses to 1883
2797+cast the ballot, but records no vote for any office that has 1884
2798+been overvoted or undervoted. 1885
2799+ Section 30. Section 10 1.56075, Florida Statutes, is 1886
2800+amended to read: 1887
2801+ 101.56075 Voting methods. —For the purpose of designating 1888
2802+ballot selections, all voting must be by marksense ballot or 1889
2803+official ballot. Each location where voting takes place must 1890
2804+contain and make available f or use both voting machines that 1891
2805+accept paper ballots completed by voters , using a manual marking 1892
2806+device and voting machines using or a voter interface device 1893
2807+that produces a voter -verifiable paper output of a voter's 1894
2808+selections and meets the voter accessi bility requirements for 1895
2809+individuals with disabilities under s. 301 of the federal Help 1896
2810+America Vote Act of 2002 and s. 101.56062. The default voting 1897
2811+method is manual voting device. A voter may request and must be 1898
2812+provided a voter interface device that prod uces a voter 1899
2813+verifiable paper output. 1900
2814+
2815+HB 1381 2025
2816+
2817+
2818+
2819+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2820+hb1381-00
2821+Page 77 of 166
2822+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2823+
2824+
2825+
2826+ Section 31. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section 1901
2827+101.5608, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1902
2828+ 101.5608 Voting by electronic or electromechanical method; 1903
2829+procedures.— 1904
2830+ (1) Each voter elector desiring to vote must shall be 1905
2831+identified to the clerk or inspector of the election as a duly 1906
2832+qualified voter elector of such election and must shall sign his 1907
2833+or her name on the precinct register or other form or device 1908
2834+provided by the supervisor. The inspector shall c ompare the 1909
2835+signature with the signature on the identification provided by 1910
2836+the voter and follow the procedures in s. 101.049 before 1911
2837+proceeding with subsection (2) elector. If the inspector is 1912
2838+reasonably sure that the person is entitled to vote, the 1913
2839+inspector shall provide the person with a ballot. 1914
2840+ (2) When an electronic or electromechanical voting system 1915
2841+utilizes a ballot card or marksense ballot, The following 1916
2842+procedures must shall be followed to vote: 1917
2843+ (a) After receiving a ballot from an inspector, the voter 1918
2844+elector shall, without leaving the polling place, retire to a 1919
2845+booth or compartment and mark the ballot. After marking his or 1920
2846+her ballot, the voter elector shall place the ballot in a 1921
2847+secrecy envelope so that the ballot will be deposited in the 1922
2848+tabulator without exposing the voter's choices. 1923
2849+ (b) Any voter who spoils his or her ballot or makes an 1924
2850+error may return the ballot to the election official and secure 1925
2851+
2852+HB 1381 2025
2853+
2854+
2855+
2856+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2857+hb1381-00
2858+Page 78 of 166
2859+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2860+
2861+
2862+
2863+another ballot, except that in no case shall a voter be 1926
2864+furnished more than three ballots. I f the vote tabulation device 1927
2865+has rejected a ballot, the ballot must shall be considered 1928
2866+spoiled and a new ballot must shall be provided to the voter 1929
2867+unless the voter chooses to cast the rejected ballot. The 1930
2868+election official, without examining the original ballot, shall 1931
2869+state the possible reasons for the rejection and shall provide 1932
2870+instruction to the voter pursuant to s. 101.5611. A spoiled 1933
2871+ballot must shall be preserved, without examination, in an 1934
2872+envelope provided for that purpose. The stub must shall be 1935
2873+removed from the ballot and placed in an envelope. 1936
2874+ (c) The supervisor of elections shall prepare for each 1937
2875+polling place at least one ballot box to contain the ballots of 1938
2876+a particular precinct, and each ballot box must shall be plainly 1939
2877+marked with the name of the precinct for which it is intended. 1940
2878+ (3) The Department of State shall promulgate rules 1941
2879+regarding voting procedures to be used when an electronic or 1942
2880+electromechanical voting system is of a type which does not 1943
2881+utilize a ballot card or marksense ballot. 1944
2882+ Section 32. Subsection (5) of section 101.5612, Florida 1945
2883+Statutes, is amended to read: 1946
2884+ 101.5612 Testing of tabulating equipment. — 1947
2885+ (5) Any tests involving marksense ballots pursuant to this 1948
2886+section must shall employ test ballots created by t he supervisor 1949
2887+of elections using actual ballots that have been printed for the 1950
2888+
2889+HB 1381 2025
2890+
2891+
2892+
2893+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2894+hb1381-00
2895+Page 79 of 166
2896+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2897+
2898+
2899+
2900+election. If ballot-on-demand ballots will be used in the 1951
2901+election, the supervisor must shall also create test ballots 1952
2902+using the ballot-on-demand technology that will be used to 1953
2903+produce ballots in the election, using the same paper stock as 1954
2904+will be used for ballots in the election. 1955
2905+ Section 33. Subsection (4) of section 101.5614, Florida 1956
2906+Statutes, is amended to read: 1957
2907+ 101.5614 Canvass of returns. — 1958
2908+ (4)(a) If any vote-by-mail ballot is physically damaged so 1959
2909+that it cannot properly be counted by the voting system's 1960
2910+automatic tabulating equipment, a true duplicate copy must shall 1961
2911+be made of the damaged ballot in an open and accessible room in 1962
2912+the presence of witnesses and substi tuted for the damaged 1963
2913+ballot. Likewise, a duplicate ballot must shall be made of a 1964
2914+vote-by-mail ballot containing an overvoted race if there is a 1965
2915+clear indication on the ballot that the voter has made a 1966
2916+definite choice in the overvoted race or ballot measu re. A 1967
2917+duplicate must shall include all valid votes as determined by 1968
2918+the canvassing board based on rules adopted by the division 1969
2919+pursuant to s. 102.166(4). A duplicate may be made of a ballot 1970
2920+containing an undervoted race or ballot measure if there is a 1971
2921+clear indication on the ballot that the voter has made a 1972
2922+definite choice in the undervoted race or ballot measure. A 1973
2923+duplicate may not include a vote if the voter's intent in such 1974
2924+race or on such measure is not clear. Upon request, a physically 1975
2925+
2926+HB 1381 2025
2927+
2928+
2929+
2930+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2931+hb1381-00
2932+Page 80 of 166
2933+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2934+
2935+
2936+
2937+present candidate, a political party official, a political 1976
2938+committee official, or an authorized designee thereof, must be 1977
2939+allowed to observe the duplication of ballots upon signing an 1978
2940+affidavit affirming his or her acknowledgment that disclosure of 1979
2941+election results disc erned from observing the ballot duplication 1980
2942+process while the election is ongoing is a felony, as provided 1981
2943+under subsection (8). The observer must be allowed to observe 1982
2944+the duplication of ballots in such a way that the observer is 1983
2945+able to see the markings on each ballot and the duplication 1984
2946+taking place. All duplicate ballots must be clearly labeled 1985
2947+"duplicate," bear a serial number which shall be recorded on the 1986
2948+defective ballot, and be counted in lieu of the defective 1987
2949+ballot. The duplication of ballots mus t happen in the presence 1988
2950+of at least one canvassing board member. After a ballot has been 1989
2951+duplicated, the defective ballot and the duplicate ballot must 1990
2952+shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose, and 1991
2953+presented to the canvassing board for rev iew the duplicate 1992
2954+ballot shall be tallied with the other ballots for that 1993
2955+precinct. If any observer makes a reasonable objection to a 1994
2956+duplicate of a ballot, the ballot must be presented to the 1995
2957+canvassing board for a determination of the validity of the 1996
2958+duplicate. The canvassing board shall must document the serial 1997
2959+number of the ballot in the canvassing board's minutes. The 1998
2960+canvassing board shall must decide whether the duplication is 1999
2961+valid. If the duplicate ballot is determined to be valid, the 2000
2962+
2963+HB 1381 2025
2964+
2965+
2966+
2967+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
2968+hb1381-00
2969+Page 81 of 166
2970+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
2971+
2972+
2973+
2974+duplicate ballot must be counted. If the duplicate ballot is 2001
2975+determined to be invalid, the duplicate ballot must be rejected 2002
2976+and a proper duplicate ballot must be made and counted in lieu 2003
2977+of the original. 2004
2978+ (b) A true duplicate copy must shall be made of each 2005
2979+federal write-in absentee ballot in the presence of witnesses 2006
2980+and substituted for the federal write -in absentee ballot. The 2007
2981+duplicate ballot must include all valid votes as determined by 2008
2982+the canvassing board based on rules adopted by the division 2009
2983+pursuant to s. 102.166(4). All duplicate ballots must shall be 2010
2984+clearly labeled "duplicate," bear a serial number that must 2011
2985+shall be recorded on the federal write -in absentee ballot, and 2012
2986+be counted in lieu of the federal write -in absentee ballot. 2013
2987+After a ballot has been dup licated, the federal write -in 2014
2988+absentee ballot must shall be placed in an envelope provided for 2015
2989+that purpose, and the duplicate ballot must shall be tallied 2016
2990+with other ballots for that precinct. 2017
2991+ Section 34. Subsection (2) of section 101.572, Florida 2018
2992+Statutes, is amended to read: 2019
2993+ 101.572 Public inspection of ballots. — 2020
2994+ (2) A candidate, a political party official, or a 2021
2995+political committee official, or an authorized designee thereof, 2022
2996+shall be granted reasonable access upon request to review or 2023
2997+inspect ballot materials before canvassing or tabulation, 2024
2998+including voter certificates on vote -by-mail envelopes, cure 2025
2999+
3000+HB 1381 2025
3001+
3002+
3003+
3004+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3005+hb1381-00
3006+Page 82 of 166
3007+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3008+
3009+
3010+
3011+affidavits, corresponding comparison signatures, duplicate 2026
3012+ballots, and corresponding originals. Before the supervisor 2027
3013+begins comparing signatures on vote-by-mail voter certificates, 2028
3014+the supervisor shall must publish notice of the access to be 2029
3015+provided under this section, which may be access to the 2030
3016+documents or images thereof, and the method of requesting such 2031
3017+access. During such review, no person gr anted access for review 2032
3018+may make any copy of a signature. During a county canvassing 2033
3019+board's determination of voter intent s. 101.5614(4)(a), a 2034
3020+candidate, a political party official, or a political committee 2035
3021+official, or an authorized designee thereof, may object to the 2036
3022+canvassing board's determination of voter intent. 2037
3023+ Section 35. Section 101.591, Florida Statutes, is amended 2038
3024+to read: 2039
3025+ 101.591 Voting system validation process audit.— 2040
3026+ (1) Before Immediately following the certification of each 2041
3027+election, the county canvassing board or the local board 2042
3028+responsible for certifying the election shall conduct a manual 2043
3029+audit or an automated, independent vote validation audit of the 2044
3030+voting systems used in all randomly selected precincts. 2045
3031+ (2)(a) A manual audit shall consist of a public manual 2046
3032+tally of the votes cast in one randomly selected race that 2047
3033+appears on the ballot. The tally sheet shall include election -2048
3034+day, vote-by-mail, early voting, provisional, and overseas 2049
3035+ballots, in at least 1 percent but no more than 2 percent of the 2050
3036+
3037+HB 1381 2025
3038+
3039+
3040+
3041+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3042+hb1381-00
3043+Page 83 of 166
3044+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3045+
3046+
3047+
3048+precincts chosen at random by the county canvassing board or the 2051
3049+local board responsible for certifying the election. If 1 2052
3050+percent of the precincts is less than one entire precinct, the 2053
3051+audit shall be conducted using at least one precinct chosen at 2054
3052+random by the county canvassing board or the local board 2055
3053+responsible for certifying the election. Such precincts shall be 2056
3054+selected at a publicly noticed canvassing board meeting. 2057
3055+ (b) An automated vote validation process must audit shall 2058
3056+consist of an a public automated verification of the tally of 2059
3057+the votes cast across every race that appears on the ballot. The 2060
3058+tally sheet must shall include election day, vote -by-mail, early 2061
3059+voting, provisional, and overse as ballots in all at least 20 2062
3060+percent of the precincts chosen at random by the county 2063
3061+canvassing board or the local board responsible for certifying 2064
3062+the election. Such precincts shall be selected at a publicly 2065
3063+noticed canvassing board meeting. 2066
3064+ (c) The division shall adopt rules for approval of an 2067
3065+independent audit system which provide that the system, at a 2068
3066+minimum, must be: 2069
3067+ 1. Completely independent of the primary voting system. 2070
3068+ 2. Fast enough to produce final audit results within the 2071
3069+timeframe prescribed in subsection (4). 2072
3070+ 3. Capable of demonstrating that the ballots of record 2073
3071+have been accurately adjudicated by the audit system. 2074
3072+ (3) The canvassing board shall publish notice on the 2075
3073+
3074+HB 1381 2025
3075+
3076+
3077+
3078+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3079+hb1381-00
3080+Page 84 of 166
3081+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3082+
3083+
3084+
3085+county website as provided in s. 50.0311, on the supervisor of 2076
3086+election's website, or once in one or more newspapers of general 2077
3087+circulation in the county post a notice of the automated vote 2078
3088+validation process audit, including the date, time, and place , 2079
3089+in four conspicuous places in the county and on the home page o f 2080
3090+the county supervisor of elections website . Such process must be 2081
3091+open to the public. 2082
3092+ (4) The vote validation process audit must be completed 2083
3093+and the results made public before the certification of the 2084
3094+election by each county canvassing board and in acc ordance with 2085
3095+s. 102.141 no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 7th day following 2086
3096+certification of the election by the county canvassing board or 2087
3097+the local board responsible for certifying the election . 2088
3098+ (5) By December 15 of each general election year, the 2089
3099+county canvassing board or the board responsible for certifying 2090
3100+the election shall provide a report with the results of the vote 2091
3101+validation audit to the Department of State in a standard format 2092
3102+as prescribed by the department. Each county's The report must 2093
3103+be consolidated into one report and included with the overvote 2094
3104+and undervote report required under s. 101.595(1). The report 2095
3105+must, at a minimum, contain all of shall contain, but is not 2096
3106+limited to, the following items: 2097
3107+ (a) The overall accuracy of vote validation audit. 2098
3108+ (b) A description of any problems or discrepancies 2099
3109+encountered. 2100
3110+
3111+HB 1381 2025
3112+
3113+
3114+
3115+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3116+hb1381-00
3117+Page 85 of 166
3118+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3119+
3120+
3121+
3122+ (c) The likely cause of such problems or discrepancies. 2101
3123+ (d) Recommended corrective action with respect to avoiding 2102
3124+or mitigating such circumstances in future elections. 2103
3125+ (6) If a manual recount is undertaken pursuant to s. 2104
3126+102.166, the canvassing board is not required to perform the 2105
3127+audit provided for in this section. 2106
3128+ Section 36. Section 101.5911, Florida Statutes, is amended 2107
3129+to read: 2108
3130+ 101.5911 Rulemaking authority for v oting system vote 2109
3131+validation audit procedures.—Effective upon this act becoming a 2110
3132+law, The department of State shall adopt rules to implement the 2111
3133+provisions of s. 101.591, as amended by s. 8, chapter 2007 -30, 2112
3134+Laws of Florida, which prescribe detailed vote validation audit 2113
3135+procedures for each voting system, which must shall be uniform 2114
3136+to the extent practicable, along with the standard form for vote 2115
3137+validation audit reports. 2116
3138+ Section 37. Section 101.595, Florida Statutes, is amended 2117
3139+to read: 2118
3140+ 101.595 Post general election report Analysis and reports 2119
3141+of voting problems.— 2120
3142+ (1)(a) No later than December 15 of each general election 2121
3143+year, the supervisor of elections in each county shall report to 2122
3144+the Department of State the total number of overvotes and 2123
3145+undervotes in the "President and Vice President" or "Governor 2124
3146+and Lieutenant Governor" race that appears first on the ballot 2125
3147+
3148+HB 1381 2025
3149+
3150+
3151+
3152+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3153+hb1381-00
3154+Page 86 of 166
3155+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3156+
3157+
3158+
3159+or, if neither appears, the first race appearing on the ballot 2126
3160+pursuant to s. 101.151(2), along with the likely reasons for 2127
3161+such overvotes and undervotes and other information as may be 2128
3162+useful in evaluating the performance of the voting system and 2129
3163+identifying problems with ballot design and instructions which 2130
3164+may have contributed to voter confusion. This report must be 2131
3165+consolidated into one report with the audit report required 2132
3166+under s. 101.591(5). 2133
3167+ (b)(2) The Department of State, upon receipt of such 2134
3168+information, shall prepare a public report on the performance of 2135
3169+each type of voting system. The report must contain, but is not 2136
3170+limited to, the following information: 2137
3171+ 1.(a) An identification of problems with the ballot design 2138
3172+or instructions which may have contributed to voter confusion; 2139
3173+ 2.(b) An identification of voting system design problems; 2140
3174+and 2141
3175+ 3.(c) Recommendations for correcting an y problems 2142
3176+identified. 2143
3177+ (2) The department shall submit the analysis of the report 2144
3178+in subsection (1) as part of the consolidated reports required 2145
3179+under ss. 101.591 and 102.143 to the Governor, the President of 2146
3180+the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of R epresentatives by 2147
3181+February 15 of each year following a general election. 2148
3182+ (3) The Department of State shall submit the report to the 2149
3183+Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the 2150
3184+
3185+HB 1381 2025
3186+
3187+
3188+
3189+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3190+hb1381-00
3191+Page 87 of 166
3192+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3193+
3194+
3195+
3196+House of Representatives by February 15 of each year followi ng a 2151
3197+general election. 2152
3198+ Section 38. Section 101.6104, Florida Statutes, is amended 2153
3199+to read: 2154
3200+ 101.6104 Protest Challenge of votes.—If any elector 2155
3201+present for the canvass of votes believes that any ballot is 2156
3202+illegal due to any defect apparent on the vote r's certificate, 2157
3203+the elector may, at any time before the ballot is removed from 2158
3204+the envelope, file with the canvassing board a protest against 2159
3205+the canvass of such ballot, specifying the reason he or she 2160
3206+believes the ballot to be illegal. No protest challenge based 2161
3207+upon any defect on the voter's certificate may shall be accepted 2162
3208+after the ballot has been removed from the return mailing 2163
3209+envelope. 2164
3210+ Section 39. Section 101.62, Florida Statutes, is amended 2165
3211+to read: 2166
3212+ 101.62 Request for vote -by-mail ballots.— 2167
3213+ (1) REQUEST.— 2168
3214+ (a) Vote-by-mail request forms are not automatically 2169
3215+mailed out to voters. A voter must initiate the request for a 2170
3216+vote-by-mail ballot form from the supervisor of elections. The 2171
3217+supervisor shall accept a request for a vote -by-mail ballot only 2172
3218+from a voter or, if directly instructed by the voter, a member 2173
3219+of the voter's immediate family or the voter's legal guardian. A 2174
3220+request may be made in person, in writing, by telephone, or 2175
3221+
3222+HB 1381 2025
3223+
3224+
3225+
3226+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3227+hb1381-00
3228+Page 88 of 166
3229+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3230+
3231+
3232+
3233+through the supervisor's website. A voter requesting a vote -by-2176
3234+mail ballot by mail or in person must use the paper or online 2177
3235+version of the department shall prescribe by rule by October 1, 2178
3236+2023, a uniform statewide application to make a written request 2179
3237+for a vote-by-mail ballot which includes fields for all 2180
3238+information required in this subsection. One request is deemed 2181
3239+sufficient to receive a vote -by-mail ballot for all elections 2182
3240+through the end of the calendar year of the next regularly 2183
3241+scheduled general election, unless the voter or the voter's 2184
3242+designee indicates at the time the request is made the elections 2185
3243+within such period for which the voter desires to receive a 2186
3244+vote-by-mail ballot. The supervisor shall must cancel a request 2187
3245+for a vote-by-mail ballot when any first -class mail or 2188
3246+nonforwardable mail sent by the su pervisor to the voter is 2189
3247+returned as undeliverable. If the voter requests a vote -by-mail 2190
3248+ballot thereafter, the voter must provide or confirm his or her 2191
3249+current residential address. 2192
3250+ (b) The supervisor may accept a request for a vote -by-mail 2193
3251+ballot to be mailed to a voter's address on file in the Florida 2194
3252+Voter Registration System from the voter, or, if directly 2195
3253+instructed by the voter, a member of the voter's immediate 2196
3254+family or the voter's legal guardian. If an in -person or a 2197
3255+telephonic request is made, t he voter must provide the voter's 2198
3256+Florida driver license number, the voter's Florida 2199
3257+identification card number, or the last four digits of the 2200
3258+
3259+HB 1381 2025
3260+
3261+
3262+
3263+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3264+hb1381-00
3265+Page 89 of 166
3266+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3267+
3268+
3269+
3270+voter's social security number, whichever may be verified in the 2201
3271+supervisor's records. If the ballot is requeste d to be mailed to 2202
3272+an address other than the voter's address on file in the Florida 2203
3273+Voter Registration System, the request must be made in writing. 2204
3274+A written request must be signed by the voter and include the 2205
3275+voter's Florida driver license number, the vote r's Florida 2206
3276+identification card number, or the last four digits of the 2207
3277+voter's social security number. However, an absent uniformed 2208
3278+services voter or an overseas voter seeking a vote -by-mail 2209
3279+ballot is not required to submit a signed, written request for a 2210
3280+vote-by-mail ballot that is being mailed to an address other 2211
3281+than the voter's address on file in the Florida Voter 2212
3282+Registration System. The person making the request must 2213
3283+disclose: 2214
3284+ 1. The name of the voter for whom the ballot is requested. 2215
3285+ 2. The voter's address. 2216
3286+ 3. The voter's date of birth. 2217
3287+ 4. The voter's Florida driver license number, the voter's 2218
3288+Florida identification card number, or the last four digits of 2219
3289+the voter's social security number, whichever may be verified in 2220
3290+the supervisor's records. If the voter's registration record 2221
3291+does not already include the voter's Florida driver license 2222
3292+number or Florida identification card number or the last four 2223
3293+digits of the voter's social security number, the number 2224
3294+provided must be recorded in the vo ter's registration record. 2225
3295+
3296+HB 1381 2025
3297+
3298+
3299+
3300+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3301+hb1381-00
3302+Page 90 of 166
3303+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3304+
3305+
3306+
3307+ 5. The requester's name. 2226
3308+ 6. The requester's address. 2227
3309+ 7. The requester's driver license number, the requester's 2228
3310+identification card number, or the last four digits of the 2229
3311+requester's social security number, if available. 2230
3312+ 8. The requester's relationship to the voter. 2231
3313+ 9. The requester's signature (written requests only). 2232
3314+ (c) Upon receiving a request for a vote -by-mail ballot 2233
3315+from an absent voter, the supervisor of elections shall notify 2234
3316+the voter of the free access system that has been designated by 2235
3317+the department for determining the status of his or her vote -by-2236
3318+mail ballot. 2237
3319+ (d) For purposes of this section, the term "immediate 2238
3320+family" refers to the following, as applicable: 2239
3321+ 1. The voter's spouse, parent, child, grandp arent, 2240
3322+grandchild, or sibling, or the parent, child, grandparent, 2241
3323+grandchild, or sibling of the voter's spouse. 2242
3324+ 2. The designee's spouse, parent, child, grandparent, 2243
3325+grandchild, or sibling, or the parent, child, grandparent, 2244
3326+grandchild, or sibling of the designee's spouse. 2245
3327+ (2) ACCESS TO VOTE-BY-MAIL REQUEST INFORMATION. —For each 2246
3328+request for a vote-by-mail ballot received, the supervisor shall 2247
3329+record the following information: the name of the voter; the 2248
3330+date the request was made; the identity of the voter's designee 2249
3331+making the request, if any; the method of request; whether the 2250
3332+
3333+HB 1381 2025
3334+
3335+
3336+
3337+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3338+hb1381-00
3339+Page 91 of 166
3340+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3341+
3342+
3343+
3344+Florida driver license number, Florida identification card 2251
3345+number, or last four digits of the social security number of the 2252
3346+voter was provided, if required with a written request ; the date 2253
3347+the vote-by-mail ballot was delivered to the voter or the 2254
3348+voter's designee or the date the vote -by-mail ballot was 2255
3349+delivered to the post office or other carrier; the address to 2256
3350+which the ballot was mailed or the identity of the voter's 2257
3351+designee to whom the ballot was delivered; the date the ballot 2258
3352+was received by the supervisor; the absence of the voter's 2259
3353+signature on the voter's certificate, if applicable; whether the 2260
3354+voter's certificate cont ains a signature that does not match the 2261
3355+voter's signature in the registration books or precinct 2262
3356+register; and such other information he or she may deem 2263
3357+necessary. This information must be provided in electronic 2264
3358+format as provided by division rule. The inf ormation must be 2265
3359+updated and made available no later than 8 a.m. of each day, 2266
3360+including weekends, beginning 60 days before the primary until 2267
3361+15 days after the general election and must shall be 2268
3362+contemporaneously provided to the division. This information i s 2269
3363+confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and may shall be made 2270
3364+available to or reproduced only for the voter requesting the 2271
3365+ballot, a canvassing board, an election official, a political 2272
3366+party or official thereof, a candidate who has filed 2273
3367+qualification papers and is opposed in an upcoming election, and 2274
3368+registered political committees for political purposes only. 2275
3369+
3370+HB 1381 2025
3371+
3372+
3373+
3374+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3375+hb1381-00
3376+Page 92 of 166
3377+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3378+
3379+
3380+
3381+ (3) DELIVERY OF VOTE -BY-MAIL BALLOTS.— 2276
3382+ (a) No later than 45 days before each presidential 2277
3383+preference primary election, primary election, and general 2278
3384+election, the supervisor of elections shall send a vote -by-mail 2279
3385+ballot as provided in subparagraph (d)2. to each absent 2280
3386+uniformed services voter and to each overseas voter who has 2281
3387+requested a vote-by-mail ballot. 2282
3388+ (b) The supervisor shall mail a vote-by-mail ballot to 2283
3389+each absent qualified voter, other than those listed in 2284
3390+paragraph (a), who has requested such a ballot, between the 40th 2285
3391+and 33rd days before the presidential preference primary 2286
3392+election, primary election, and general election. 2287
3393+ (c) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a) or 2288
3394+paragraph (b), the supervisor shall mail vote -by-mail ballots 2289
3395+within 2 business days after receiving a request for such a 2290
3396+ballot, but no later than the 10th day before election day. The 2291
3397+deadline to submit a request for a ballot to be mailed is 5 p.m. 2292
3398+local time on the 12th day before an upcoming election. 2293
3399+ (d) Upon a request for a vote -by-mail ballot, the 2294
3400+supervisor shall provide a vote -by-mail ballot to each voter by 2295
3401+whom a request for that ballot has been made, by one of the 2296
3402+following means: 2297
3403+ 1. By nonforwardable, return -if-undeliverable mail to the 2298
3404+voter's current mailing address on file with the supervisor or 2299
3405+any other address the voter specifies in the request. The 2300
3406+
3407+HB 1381 2025
3408+
3409+
3410+
3411+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3412+hb1381-00
3413+Page 93 of 166
3414+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3415+
3416+
3417+
3418+envelopes must be prominently marked "Do Not Forward." 2301
3419+ 2. By forwardable mail, e -mail, or facsimile machine 2302
3420+transmission to absent uniformed services voters and overseas 2303
3421+voters. The absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter 2304
3422+may designate in the vote -by-mail ballot request the prefer red 2305
3423+method of transmission. If the voter does not designate the 2306
3424+method of transmission, the vote -by-mail ballot must be mailed. 2307
3425+ 3. By personal delivery to the voter beginning on the 46th 2308
3426+day before election day after vote-by-mail ballots have been 2309
3427+mailed and through up to 7 p.m. on election day upon 2310
3428+presentation of the identification required in s. 101.043. 2311
3429+However, starting pm the 10th day before election day and 2312
3430+through 7 p.m. on election day, delivery is subject to the 2313
3431+additional requirements of subpar agraph 5. 2314
3432+ 4. By delivery to the voter's designee beginning on the 2315
3433+46th day before election day, through after vote-by-mail ballots 2316
3434+have been mailed and up to 7 p.m. on election day. However, 2317
3435+starting on the 10th day before election day and through 7 p.m. 2318
3436+on election day, delivery is subject to the additional 2319
3437+requirements in subparagraph 5. Any voter may designate in 2320
3438+writing a person to pick up the ballot for the voter; however, 2321
3439+the person designated may not pick up more than two vote -by-mail 2322
3440+ballots per election, other than the designee's own ballot, 2323
3441+except that additional ballots may be picked up for members of 2324
3442+the designee's immediate family. The designee shall provide to 2325
3443+
3444+HB 1381 2025
3445+
3446+
3447+
3448+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3449+hb1381-00
3450+Page 94 of 166
3451+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3452+
3453+
3454+
3455+the supervisor the written authorization by the voter and a 2326
3456+picture identification of the designee and must complete an 2327
3457+affidavit. The designee shall state in the affidavit that the 2328
3458+designee is authorized by the voter to pick up that ballot and 2329
3459+shall indicate if the voter is a member of the designee's 2330
3460+immediate family and, if so, the rel ationship. The department 2331
3461+shall prescribe the form of the affidavit. If the supervisor is 2332
3462+satisfied that the designee is authorized to pick up the ballot 2333
3463+and that the signature of the voter on the written authorization 2334
3464+matches the signature of the voter on file, the supervisor must 2335
3465+give the ballot to that designee for delivery to the voter. 2336
3466+ 5. Except as provided in s. 101.655, the supervisor may 2337
3467+not deliver a vote-by-mail ballot to a voter or a voter's 2338
3468+designee pursuant to subparagraph 3. or subparagraph 4., 2339
3469+respectively, during the mandatory early voting period and 2340
3470+through up to 7 p.m. on election day, unless there is an 2341
3471+emergency, to the extent that the voter will be unable to go to 2342
3472+a designated early voting site in his or her county or to his or 2343
3473+her assigned polling place on election day. If a vote -by-mail 2344
3474+ballot is delivered, the voter or his or her designee must 2345
3475+execute an affidavit affirming to the facts which allow for 2346
3476+delivery of the vote -by-mail ballot. The department shall adopt 2347
3477+a rule providing for the form of the affidavit. 2348
3478+ (4) SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. —If the department is unable to 2349
3479+certify candidates for an election in time to comply with 2350
3480+
3481+HB 1381 2025
3482+
3483+
3484+
3485+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3486+hb1381-00
3487+Page 95 of 166
3488+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3489+
3490+
3491+
3492+paragraph (3)(a), the Department of State is authorized to 2351
3493+prescribe rules for a ballot to be sent to absent uniformed 2352
3494+services voters and overseas voters. 2353
3495+ (5) MATERIALS.—Only the materials necessary to vote by 2354
3496+mail may be mailed or delivered with any vote -by-mail ballot. 2355
3497+ (6) PROHIBITION.—Except as expressly authorized for voters 2356
3498+having a disability under s. 101.662, for overseas voters under 2357
3499+s. 101.697, or for local referenda under ss. 101.6102 and 2358
3500+101.6103, a county, municipality, or state agency may not send a 2359
3501+vote-by-mail ballot to a voter unless the voter has requested a 2360
3502+vote-by-mail ballot in the manner authorized under this section. 2361
3503+ Section 40. Section 101.64, Florida Statutes, is amended 2362
3504+to read: 2363
3505+ 101.64 Delivery of vote -by-mail ballots; envelopes; form. — 2364
3506+ (1)(a) The supervisor shall enclose with each vote -by-mail 2365
3507+ballot two envelopes: a secrecy envelope or privacy sleeve, into 2366
3508+which the absent voter elector shall enclose his or her marked 2367
3509+ballot; and a mailing envelope, into which the voter absent 2368
3510+elector shall then place the secrecy envelope or privacy sleeve 2369
3511+enclosing the ballot , which must shall be addressed to the 2370
3512+supervisor and also bear on the back side a certificate in 2371
3513+substantially the following form: 2372
3514+ 2373
3515+Note: Please Read Instructions Carefully Before 2374
3516+Marking Ballot and Completing Voter's Certificate. 2375
3517+
3518+HB 1381 2025
3519+
3520+
3521+
3522+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3523+hb1381-00
3524+Page 96 of 166
3525+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3526+
3527+
3528+
3529+ 2376
3530+VOTER'S CERTIFICATE 2377
3531+ I, ...., do solemnly swear or affirm that I am a qualified 2378
3532+and registered voter of .... County, Florida, and that I have 2379
3533+not and will not vote more than one ballot in this election. I 2380
3534+understand that if I commit or attempt to commit any fraud in 2381
3535+connection with voting, vote a fraudulent ballot, or vote more 2382
3536+than once in an election, I can be convicted of a felony of the 2383
3537+third degree and fined up to $5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 2384
3538+5 years. I also understand that failure to sign this certificate 2385
3539+will invalidate my ballot. 2386
3540+...(Date)... ...(Voter's Signature)... 2387
3541+...(E-Mail Address)... ...(Home Telephone Number)... 2388
3542+...(Mobile Telephone Number)... 2389
3543+ 2390
3544+ (b) Each return mailing envelope must bear the absent 2391
3545+voter's elector's name and any encoded mark used by the 2392
3546+supervisor's office. 2393
3547+ (c) A mailing envelope , or secrecy envelope, or privacy 2394
3548+sleeve may not bear any indication of the political affiliation 2395
3549+of an absent voter elector. 2396
3550+ (2) The certificate must shall be arranged on the back of 2397
3551+the mailing envelope so that the line for the signature of the 2398
3552+absent voter elector is across the seal of the envelope; 2399
3553+however, no statement may shall appear on the envelope which 2400
3554+
3555+HB 1381 2025
3556+
3557+
3558+
3559+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3560+hb1381-00
3561+Page 97 of 166
3562+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3563+
3564+
3565+
3566+indicates that a signature o f the voter must cross the seal of 2401
3567+the envelope. The absent voter elector shall execute the 2402
3568+certificate on the envelope. 2403
3569+ (3) In lieu of the voter's certificate provided in this 2404
3570+section, the supervisor of elections shall provide each person 2405
3571+voting absentee under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 2406
3572+Absentee Voting Act with the standard oath prescribed by the 2407
3573+presidential designee. 2408
3574+ (4) The supervisor shall mark, code, indicate on, or 2409
3575+otherwise track the precinct of the absent voter elector for 2410
3576+each vote-by-mail ballot. 2411
3577+ (5) The secrecy envelope or privacy sleeve must include, 2412
3578+in bold font, substantially the following message: 2413
3579+ 2414
3580+IN ORDER FOR YOUR VOTE -BY-MAIL BALLOT TO COUNT, YOUR 2415
3581+SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS MUST RECEIVE YOUR BALLOT BY 7 2416
3582+P.M. ON ELECTION DAY. IF YOU WAIT TO MAIL YOUR BALLOT, 2417
3583+YOUR VOTE MIGHT NOT COUNT. TO PREVENT THIS FROM 2418
3584+OCCURRING, PLEASE MAIL OR TURN IN YOUR BALLOT AS SOON 2419
3585+AS POSSIBLE. 2420
3586+ 2421
3587+ Section 41. Subsection (1) of section 101.657, Florida 2422
3588+Statutes, is amended to read: 2423
3589+ 101.657 Early voting.— 2424
3590+ (1)(a) As a convenience to the voter, the supervisor of 2425
3591+
3592+HB 1381 2025
3593+
3594+
3595+
3596+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3597+hb1381-00
3598+Page 98 of 166
3599+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3600+
3601+
3602+
3603+elections may shall allow a voter an elector to vote early in 2426
3604+the main or branch office of the supervisor. The supervisor 2427
3605+shall mark, code, indicate on, or otherwise track the voter's 2428
3606+precinct for each early voted ballot. In order for a branch 2429
3607+office to be used for early voting, it must shall be a permanent 2430
3608+facility of the supervisor and shall have been designated and 2431
3609+used as such for at least 1 year before prior to the election. 2432
3610+The supervisor may also designate any city hall, permanent 2433
3611+public library facility, fairground, civic center, courthouse, 2434
3612+county commission building, stadium, convention center, 2435
3613+government-owned senior center, or government -owned community 2436
3614+center as an early votin g site; however, if so designated, the 2437
3615+sites must be geographically located so as to provide all voters 2438
3616+in the county an equal opportunity to cast a ballot, insofar as 2439
3617+is practicable, and must provide sufficient nonpermitted parking 2440
3618+to accommodate the anti cipated amount of voters. In addition, a 2441
3619+supervisor may designate up to two one early voting sites site 2442
3620+per election in an area of the county that does not have any of 2443
3621+the eligible early voting locations. Such additional early 2444
3622+voting site must be geographi cally located so as to provide all 2445
3623+voters in that area with an equal opportunity to cast a ballot, 2446
3624+insofar as is practicable, and must provide sufficient 2447
3625+nonpermitted parking to accommodate the anticipated amount of 2448
3626+voters. Each county shall, at a minimum, operate the same total 2449
3627+number of early voting sites for a general election which the 2450
3628+
3629+HB 1381 2025
3630+
3631+
3632+
3633+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3634+hb1381-00
3635+Page 99 of 166
3636+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3637+
3638+
3639+
3640+county operated for the 2012 general election. The results or 2451
3641+tabulation of votes cast during early voting may not be made 2452
3642+before the close of the polls on election day. Results must 2453
3643+shall be reported by precinct. 2454
3644+ (b) The supervisor shall designate each early voting site 2455
3645+by no later than the 30th day before prior to an election and 2456
3646+shall designate an early voting area, as defined in s. 97.021, 2457
3647+at each early voting site. The number of designated sites must 2458
3648+be no less than the number of sites designated in the previously 2459
3649+regularly scheduled general election. A supervisor may obtain a 2460
3650+waiver from this requirement by filing notice certifying the 2461
3651+facts and circumstances and ob taining approval from the 2462
3652+department before the designation deadline. The supervisor shall 2463
3653+provide to the division no later than the 30th day before an 2464
3654+election the address of each early voting site and the hours 2465
3655+that early voting will occur at each site. 2466
3656+ (c) All early voting sites in a county must shall allow 2467
3657+any person in line at the closing of an early voting site to 2468
3658+vote. 2469
3659+ (d) Early voting shall begin on the 10th day before an 2470
3660+election that contains state or federal races and end on the 3rd 2471
3661+day before the election, and shall be provided for no less than 2472
3662+8 hours and no more than 12 hours per day at each site during 2473
3663+the applicable period. In addition, early voting may be offered 2474
3664+at the discretion of the supervisor of elections on the 15th, 2475
3665+
3666+HB 1381 2025
3667+
3668+
3669+
3670+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3671+hb1381-00
3672+Page 100 of 166
3673+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3674+
3675+
3676+
3677+14th, 13th, 12th, 11th, or 2nd day before an election that 2476
3678+contains state or federal races for at least 8 hours per day, 2477
3679+but not more than 12 hours per day. The supervisor of elections 2478
3680+may provide early voting for elections that are not held in 2479
3681+conjunction with a state or federal election. However, the 2480
3682+supervisor has the discretion to determine the hours of 2481
3683+operation of early voting sites in those elections. 2482
3684+ (e) Notwithstanding the requirements of s. 100.3605, 2483
3685+municipalities may provide early voting in municipal elect ions 2484
3686+that are not held in conjunction with county or state elections. 2485
3687+If a municipality provides early voting, it may designate as 2486
3688+many sites as necessary and shall conduct its activities in 2487
3689+accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (a)-(c). The 2488
3690+supervisor is not required to conduct early voting if it is 2489
3691+provided pursuant to this subsection. 2490
3692+ (f) Notwithstanding the requirements of s. 189.04, special 2491
3693+districts may provide early voting in any district election not 2492
3694+held in conjunction with county or state elections. If a special 2493
3695+district provides early voting, it may designate as many sites 2494
3696+as necessary and must shall conduct its activities in accordance 2495
3697+with the provisions of paragraphs (a) -(c). The supervisor is not 2496
3698+required to conduct early voting if it is provided pursuant to 2497
3699+this subsection. 2498
3700+ Section 42. Subsections (2) and (4) of section 101.68, 2499
3701+Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2500
3702+
3703+HB 1381 2025
3704+
3705+
3706+
3707+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3708+hb1381-00
3709+Page 101 of 166
3710+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3711+
3712+
3713+
3714+ 101.68 Canvassing of vote -by-mail ballot.— 2501
3715+ (2)(a) The county canvassing board may begin the 2502
3716+canvassing of vote-by-mail ballots upon the completion of the 2503
3717+public testing of automatic tabulating equipment pursuant to s. 2504
3718+101.5612(2), but must begin such canvassing by no later than 2505
3719+noon on the day following the election. However, notwithstanding 2506
3720+any such authorization t o begin canvassing or otherwise 2507
3721+processing vote-by-mail ballots early, no result may shall be 2508
3722+released until after the closing of the polls in that county on 2509
3723+election day. Any supervisor, deputy supervisor, canvassing 2510
3724+board member, election board member, o r election employee who 2511
3725+releases the results of a canvassing or processing of vote -by-2512
3726+mail ballots before prior to the closing of the polls in that 2513
3727+county on election day commits a felony of the third degree, 2514
3728+punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.08 3, or s. 775.084. 2515
3729+ (b) To ensure that all vote -by-mail ballots to be counted 2516
3730+by the canvassing board are accounted for, the canvassing board 2517
3731+shall compare the number of ballots in its possession with the 2518
3732+number of requests for ballots received to be count ed according 2519
3733+to the supervisor's file or list. 2520
3734+ (c)1. The canvassing board must, if the supervisor has not 2521
3735+already done so, compare the signature of the elector on the 2522
3736+voter's certificate or on the vote -by-mail ballot cure affidavit 2523
3737+as provided in subsect ion (4) with the signature of the elector 2524
3738+in the registration books or the precinct register to see that 2525
3739+
3740+HB 1381 2025
3741+
3742+
3743+
3744+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3745+hb1381-00
3746+Page 102 of 166
3747+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3748+
3749+
3750+
3751+the elector is duly registered in the county and to determine 2526
3752+the legality of that vote -by-mail ballot. A vote-by-mail ballot 2527
3753+may only be counted if: 2528
3754+ a. The signature on the voter's certificate or the cure 2529
3755+affidavit matches the elector's signature in the registration 2530
3756+books or precinct register; however, in the case of a cure 2531
3757+affidavit, the supporting identification listed in subsection 2532
3758+(4) must also confirm the identity of the elector; or 2533
3759+ b. The cure affidavit contains a signature that does not 2534
3760+match the elector's signature in the registration books or 2535
3761+precinct register, but the elector has submitted a current and 2536
3762+valid Tier 1 identification pursuant to subsection (4) which 2537
3763+confirms the identity of the elector. 2538
3764+ 2539
3765+For purposes of this subparagraph, any canvassing board finding 2540
3766+that an elector's signatures do not match must be by majority 2541
3767+vote and beyond a reasonable doubt. 2542
3768+ 2. The ballot of an elector w ho casts a vote-by-mail 2543
3769+ballot shall be counted even if the elector dies on or before 2544
3770+election day, as long as, before the death of the voter, the 2545
3771+ballot was postmarked by the United States Postal Service, date -2546
3772+stamped with a verifiable tracking number by a common carrier, 2547
3773+or already in the possession of the supervisor. 2548
3774+ 3. A vote-by-mail ballot is not considered illegal if the 2549
3775+signature of the elector does not cross the seal of the mailing 2550
3776+
3777+HB 1381 2025
3778+
3779+
3780+
3781+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3782+hb1381-00
3783+Page 103 of 166
3784+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3785+
3786+
3787+
3788+envelope. 2551
3789+ 4. If any elector or candidate present believes that a 2552
3790+vote-by-mail ballot is illegal due to a defect apparent on the 2553
3791+voter's certificate or the cure affidavit, he or she may, at any 2554
3792+time before the ballot is removed from the envelope, file with 2555
3793+the canvassing board a protest against the canvass of that 2556
3794+ballot, specifying the precinct, the voter's certificate or the 2557
3795+cure affidavit, and the reason he or she believes the ballot to 2558
3796+be illegal. A protest challenge based upon a defect in the 2559
3797+voter's certificate or cure affidavit may not be accepted after 2560
3798+the ballot has been removed from the mailing envelope. 2561
3799+ 5. If the canvassing board determines that a ballot is 2562
3800+illegal, a member of the board must, without opening the 2563
3801+envelope, mark across the face of the envelope: "rejected as 2564
3802+illegal." The cure affidavit, if app licable, the envelope, and 2565
3803+the ballot therein shall be preserved in the manner that 2566
3804+official ballots are preserved. 2567
3805+ (d) The canvassing board shall record the ballot upon the 2568
3806+proper record, unless the ballot has been previously recorded by 2569
3807+the supervisor. The mailing envelopes must shall be opened and 2570
3808+the secrecy envelopes must shall be mixed so as to make it 2571
3809+impossible to determine which secrecy envelope came out of which 2572
3810+signed mailing envelope; however, in any county in which an 2573
3811+electronic or electromec hanical voting system is used, the 2574
3812+ballots may be sorted by ballot styles and the mailing envelopes 2575
3813+
3814+HB 1381 2025
3815+
3816+
3817+
3818+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3819+hb1381-00
3820+Page 104 of 166
3821+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3822+
3823+
3824+
3825+may be opened and the secrecy envelopes mixed separately for 2576
3826+each ballot style. The votes on vote -by-mail ballots must shall 2577
3827+be included in the total vote of the county. 2578
3828+ (4)(a) As soon as practicable, the supervisor shall, on 2579
3829+behalf of the county canvassing board, attempt to notify an 2580
3830+elector who has returned a vote -by-mail ballot that does not 2581
3831+include the elector's signature or contains a signature that 2582
3832+does not match the elector's signature in the registration books 2583
3833+or precinct register by: 2584
3834+ 1. Notifying the elector of the signature deficiency by e -2585
3835+mail and directing the elector to the cure affidavit and 2586
3836+instructions on the supervisor's website; 2587
3837+ 2. Notifying the elector of the signature deficiency by 2588
3838+text message and directing the elector to the cure affidavit and 2589
3839+instructions on the supervisor's website; or 2590
3840+ 3. Notifying the elector of the signature deficiency by 2591
3841+telephone and directing the elector to the cure affidavit and 2592
3842+instructions on the supervisor's website. 2593
3843+ 2594
3844+In addition to the notification required under subparagraph 1., 2595
3845+subparagraph 2., or subparagraph 3., the supervisor must notify 2596
3846+the elector of the signature d eficiency by first-class mail and 2597
3847+direct the elector to the cure affidavit and instructions on the 2598
3848+supervisor's website. Beginning the day before the election, the 2599
3849+supervisor is not required to provide notice of the signature 2600
3850+
3851+HB 1381 2025
3852+
3853+
3854+
3855+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3856+hb1381-00
3857+Page 105 of 166
3858+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3859+
3860+
3861+
3862+deficiency by first-class mail, but shall continue to provide 2601
3863+notice as required under subparagraph 1., subparagraph 2., or 2602
3864+subparagraph 3. 2603
3865+ (b) The supervisor shall allow such an elector to complete 2604
3866+and submit an affidavit in order to cure the vote -by-mail ballot 2605
3867+until 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election. 2606
3868+ (c) The elector must complete a cure affidavit in 2607
3869+substantially the following form: 2608
3870+ 2609
3871+VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT CURE AFFIDAVIT 2610
3872+ 2611
3873+ I, ...., am a qualified voter in this election and 2612
3874+registered voter of .... County, Florida. I do solemnly swear or 2613
3875+affirm that I requested and returned the vote -by-mail ballot and 2614
3876+that I have not and will not vote more than one ballot in this 2615
3877+election. I understand that if I commit or attempt any fraud in 2616
3878+connection with voting, vote a fraudulent ball ot, or vote more 2617
3879+than once in an election, I may be convicted of a felony of the 2618
3880+third degree and fined up to $5,000 and imprisoned for up to 5 2619
3881+years. I understand that my failure to sign this affidavit means 2620
3882+that my vote-by-mail ballot will be invalidated . 2621
3883+ 2622
3884+...(Voter's Signature)... 2623
3885+...(Address)... 2624
3886+ 2625
3887+
3888+HB 1381 2025
3889+
3890+
3891+
3892+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3893+hb1381-00
3894+Page 106 of 166
3895+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3896+
3897+
3898+
3899+ (d) Instructions must accompany the cure affidavit in 2626
3900+substantially the following form: 2627
3901+ 2628
3902+ READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE 2629
3903+AFFIDAVIT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR 2630
3904+BALLOT NOT TO COUNT. 2631
3905+ 2632
3906+ 1. In order to ensure that your vote -by-mail ballot will 2633
3907+be counted, your affidavit should be completed and returned as 2634
3908+soon as possible so that it can reach the supervisor of 2635
3909+elections of the county in which your precinct is locat ed no 2636
3910+later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election. 2637
3911+ 2. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter's 2638
3912+Signature). 2639
3913+ 3. You must make a copy of one of the following forms of 2640
3914+identification: 2641
3915+ a. Tier 1 identification. —Current and valid identifi cation 2642
3916+that includes your name and photograph: Florida driver license; 2643
3917+Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway 2644
3918+Safety and Motor Vehicles; United States passport or passport 2645
3919+card; debit or credit card ; United States Uniformed Service s or 2646
3920+Merchant Marine military identification; student identification; 2647
3921+retirement center identification; neighborhood association 2648
3922+identification; public assistance identification; veteran health 2649
3923+identification card issued by the United States Department of 2650
3924+
3925+HB 1381 2025
3926+
3927+
3928+
3929+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3930+hb1381-00
3931+Page 107 of 166
3932+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3933+
3934+
3935+
3936+Veterans Affairs; a Florida license to carry a concealed weapon 2651
3937+or firearm; or any an employee identification card issued by any 2652
3938+branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, 2653
3939+the state, a county, or a municipality; or 2654
3940+ b. Tier 2 identification.—ONLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TIER 1 2655
3941+FORM OF IDENTIFICATION, identification that shows your name and 2656
3942+current residence address: current utility bill, bank statement, 2657
3943+government check, paycheck, or government document (excluding 2658
3944+voter information card) . 2659
3945+ 4. Place the envelope bearing the affidavit into a mailing 2660
3946+envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy of your 2661
3947+identification in the mailing envelope. Mail (if time permits), 2662
3948+deliver, or have delivered the completed affidavit along with 2663
3949+the copy of your identification to your county supervisor of 2664
3950+elections. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed and 2665
3951+that the supervisor's address is correct. Remember, your 2666
3952+information MUST reach your county supervisor of elections no 2667
3953+later than 5 p.m. on t he 2nd day after the election, or your 2668
3954+ballot will not count. 2669
3955+ 5. Alternatively, you may fax or e -mail your completed 2670
3956+affidavit and a copy of your identification to the supervisor of 2671
3957+elections. If e-mailing, please provide these documents as 2672
3958+attachments. 2673
3959+ 2674
3960+ (e) The department and each supervisor shall include the 2675
3961+
3962+HB 1381 2025
3963+
3964+
3965+
3966+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
3967+hb1381-00
3968+Page 108 of 166
3969+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3970+
3971+
3972+
3973+affidavit and instructions on their respective websites. The 2676
3974+supervisor must include his or her office's mailing address, e -2677
3975+mail address, and fax number on the page containing the 2678
3976+affidavit instructions, and the department's instruction page 2679
3977+must include the office mailing addresses, e -mail addresses, and 2680
3978+fax numbers of all supervisors of elections or provide a 2681
3979+conspicuous link to such addresses. 2682
3980+ (f) The supervisor shall attach each affidavit rec eived to 2683
3981+the appropriate vote -by-mail ballot mailing envelope. 2684
3982+ (g) If a vote-by-mail ballot is validated following the 2685
3983+submission of a cure affidavit, the supervisor must shall make a 2686
3984+copy of the affidavit, affix it to a voter registration 2687
3985+application, and immediately process it as a valid request for a 2688
3986+signature update pursuant to s. 98.077. 2689
3987+ (h) After all election results on the ballot have been 2690
3988+certified, the supervisor shall, on behalf of the county 2691
3989+canvassing board, notify each elector whose ballot has been 2692
3990+rejected as illegal and provide the specific reason the ballot 2693
3991+was rejected. In addition, unless processed as a signature 2694
3992+update pursuant to paragraph (g), the supervisor must shall mail 2695
3993+a voter registration application to the elector to be comple ted 2696
3994+indicating the elector's current signature if the signature on 2697
3995+the voter's certificate or cure affidavit did not match the 2698
3996+elector's signature in the registration books or precinct 2699
3997+register. 2700
3998+
3999+HB 1381 2025
4000+
4001+
4002+
4003+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4004+hb1381-00
4005+Page 109 of 166
4006+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4007+
4008+
4009+
4010+ Section 43. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 2701
4011+101.69, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 2702
4012+ 101.69 Voting in person; return of vote -by-mail ballot.— 2703
4013+ (2)(a) The supervisor shall allow an elector who has 2704
4014+received a vote-by-mail ballot to physically return a voted 2705
4015+vote-by-mail ballot to the supervisor by placing the return mail 2706
4016+envelope containing his or her marked ballot in a secure ballot 2707
4017+intake station. Secure ballot intake stations must shall be 2708
4018+placed at the main office of the supervisor , at each permanent 2709
4019+branch office of the supervisor which meet s the criteria set 2710
4020+forth in s. 101.657(1)(a) for branch offices used for early 2711
4021+voting and which is open for at least the minimum number of 2712
4022+hours prescribed by s. 98.015(4), and at each designated early 2713
4023+voting site for the election. Secure ballot intake sta tions may 2714
4024+also be placed at any other site that would otherwise qualify as 2715
4025+an early voting site under s. 101.657(1). Secure ballot intake 2716
4026+stations must be geographically located so as to provide all 2717
4027+voters in the county with an equal opportunity to cast a ballot, 2718
4028+insofar as is practicable. Except for secure ballot intake 2719
4029+stations at the main an office of the supervisor, a secure 2720
4030+ballot intake station may only be used during the county's early 2721
4031+voting hours of operation and must be monitored in person by an 2722
4032+employee of the supervisor's office . A secure ballot intake 2723
4033+station at an office of the supervisor must be continuously 2724
4034+monitored in person by an employee of the supervisor's office 2725
4035+
4036+HB 1381 2025
4037+
4038+
4039+
4040+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4041+hb1381-00
4042+Page 110 of 166
4043+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4044+
4045+
4046+
4047+when the secure ballot intake station is accessible for deposit 2726
4048+of ballots. The department shall adopt rules to implement this 2727
4049+paragraph. 2728
4050+ Section 44. Section 101.6921, Florida Statutes, is amended 2729
4051+to read: 2730
4052+ 101.6921 Delivery of special vote -by-mail ballot to 2731
4053+certain first-time voters.— 2732
4054+ (1) The provisions of This section applies apply to voters 2733
4055+who are subject to the provisions of s. 97.0535 and who have not 2734
4056+provided the identification or information certification 2735
4057+required by s. 97.0535 by the time the vote -by-mail ballot is 2736
4058+mailed. 2737
4059+ (2) The supervisor shall enclose with each vote-by-mail 2738
4060+ballot three envelopes: a secrecy envelope or privacy sleeve, 2739
4061+into which the absent voter elector will enclose his or her 2740
4062+marked ballot; an envelope containing the Voter's Certificate, 2741
4063+into which the absent voter elector shall place the secrecy 2742
4064+envelope or privacy sleeve; and a mailing envelope, which must 2743
4065+shall be addressed to the supervisor and into which the absent 2744
4066+voter elector will place the envelope containing the Voter's 2745
4067+Certificate and a copy of the required identification. 2746
4068+ (3) The Voter's Certificate must shall be in substantially 2747
4069+the following form: 2748
4070+ 2749
4071+Note: Please Read Instructions Carefully Before Marking Ballot 2750
4072+
4073+HB 1381 2025
4074+
4075+
4076+
4077+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4078+hb1381-00
4079+Page 111 of 166
4080+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4081+
4082+
4083+
4084+and Completing Voter's Certificate. 2751
4085+ 2752
4086+VOTER'S CERTIFICATE 2753
4087+ 2754
4088+ I, ...., do solemnly swear or affirm that I am a qualified 2755
4089+and registered voter of .... County, Florida, and that I have 2756
4090+not and will not vote more than one ballot in this election. I 2757
4091+understand that if I commit or attempt to commit any fraud in 2758
4092+connection with voting, vote a fraudulent ballot, or vote more 2759
4093+than once in an election, I can be convicted of a felony of the 2760
4094+third degree and fined up to $5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 2761
4095+5 years. I also understand that failure to sign this certificate 2762
4096+will invalidate my ballot. I understand that unless I meet one 2763
4097+of the exemptions below, I must provide a copy of a current and 2764
4098+valid identification as provided in the instruction sheet to the 2765
4099+supervisor of elections in order for my ballot to count. 2766
4100+ I further certify that I am exempt from the requirements to 2767
4101+furnish a copy of a current and valid identification with my 2768
4102+ballot because of one or more of the following (check all that 2769
4103+apply): 2770
4104+ ☐ I am 65 years of age or older. 2771
4105+ ☐ I have a permanent or temporary physical disability. 2772
4106+ ☐ I am a member of a uniformed service on active duty who, 2773
4107+by reason of such active duty, will be absent from the county on 2774
4108+election day. 2775
4109+
4110+HB 1381 2025
4111+
4112+
4113+
4114+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4115+hb1381-00
4116+Page 112 of 166
4117+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4118+
4119+
4120+
4121+ ☐ I am a member of the Merchant Marine who, by reason of 2776
4122+service in the Merchant Marine, will be absent from the county 2777
4123+on election day. 2778
4124+ ☐ I am the spouse or depend ent of a member of the uniformed 2779
4125+service or Merchant Marine who, by reason of the active duty or 2780
4126+service of the member, will be absent from the county on 2781
4127+election day. 2782
4128+ ☐ I am currently residing outside the United States. 2783
4129+ 2784
4130+...(Date)... ...(Voter's Signatur e)... 2785
4131+ 2786
4132+ (4) The certificate must shall be arranged on the back of 2787
4133+the envelope so that the line for the signature of the absent 2788
4134+voter elector is across the seal of the envelope. 2789
4135+ Section 45. Subsection (2) of section 101.6923, Florida 2790
4136+Statutes, is amended to read: 2791
4137+ 101.6923 Special vote -by-mail ballot instructions for 2792
4138+certain first-time voters.— 2793
4139+ (2) A voter covered by this section must be provided with 2794
4140+printed instructions with his or her vote -by-mail ballot in 2795
4141+substantially the following form: 2796
4142+ 2797
4143+READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE MARKING YOUR 2798
4144+BALLOT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE 2799
4145+YOUR BALLOT NOT TO COUNT. 2800
4146+
4147+HB 1381 2025
4148+
4149+
4150+
4151+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4152+hb1381-00
4153+Page 113 of 166
4154+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4155+
4156+
4157+
4158+ 2801
4159+ 1. In order to ensure that your vote -by-mail ballot will 2802
4160+be counted, it should be completed and returned as soon as 2803
4161+possible so that it can reach the supervisor of elections of the 2804
4162+county in which your precinct is located no later than 7 p.m. on 2805
4163+the date of the election. However, if you are an overseas voter 2806
4164+casting a ballot in a presidential preference primary or general 2807
4165+election, your vote-by-mail ballot must be postmarked or dated 2808
4166+no later than the date of the election and received by the 2809
4167+supervisor of elections of the county in which you are 2810
4168+registered to vote no later than 10 days after the date of the 2811
4169+election. Note that the later you return your ballot, the less 2812
4170+time you will have to cure signature deficiencies, which is 2813
4171+authorized until 5 p.m. local time on the 2nd day after the 2814
4172+election. 2815
4173+ 2. Mark your ballot in secret as instructed on the ballot. 2816
4174+You must mark your ow n ballot unless you are unable to do so 2817
4175+because of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write. 2818
4176+ 3. Mark only the number of candidates or issue choices for 2819
4177+a race as indicated on the ballot. If you are allowed to "Vote 2820
4178+for One" candidate and you vote for more than one, your vote in 2821
4179+that race will not be counted. 2822
4180+ 4. Place your marked ballot in the enclosed secrecy 2823
4181+envelope and seal the envelope. 2824
4182+ 5. Insert the secrecy envelope into the enclosed envelope 2825
4183+
4184+HB 1381 2025
4185+
4186+
4187+
4188+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4189+hb1381-00
4190+Page 114 of 166
4191+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4192+
4193+
4194+
4195+bearing the Voter's Certificate. Seal the envelope and 2826
4196+completely fill out the Voter's Certificate on the back of the 2827
4197+envelope. 2828
4198+ a. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter's 2829
4199+Signature). 2830
4200+ b. If you are an overseas voter, you must include the date 2831
4201+you signed the Voter's Certificate on the line above (Date) or 2832
4202+your ballot may not be counted. 2833
4203+ c. A vote-by-mail ballot will be considered illegal and 2834
4204+will not be counted if the signature on the Voter's Certificate 2835
4205+does not match the signature on record. The signature on file at 2836
4206+the start of the canvass of the vote -by-mail ballots is the 2837
4207+signature that will be used to verify your signature on the 2838
4208+Voter's Certificate. If you need to update your signature for 2839
4209+this election, send your signature update on a voter 2840
4210+registration application to your sup ervisor of elections so that 2841
4211+it is received before your vote -by-mail ballot is received. 2842
4212+ 6. Unless you meet one of the exemptions in Item 7., you 2843
4213+must make a copy of one of the following forms of 2844
4214+identification: 2845
4215+ a. Identification which must include you r name and 2846
4216+photograph: United States passport or passport card; debit or 2847
4217+credit card; United States uniformed services or Merchant marine 2848
4218+military identification; student identification; retirement 2849
4219+center identification; neighborhood association identifica tion; 2850
4220+
4221+HB 1381 2025
4222+
4223+
4224+
4225+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4226+hb1381-00
4227+Page 115 of 166
4228+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4229+
4230+
4231+
4232+public assistance identification; veteran health identification 2851
4233+card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; 2852
4234+a Florida license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm; or any 2853
4235+an employee identification card issued by any branch, 2854
4236+department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the 2855
4237+state, a county, or a municipality; or 2856
4238+ b. Identification which shows your name and current 2857
4239+residence address: current utility bill, bank statement, 2858
4240+government check, paycheck, or government docum ent (excluding 2859
4241+voter information card). 2860
4242+ 7. The identification requirements of Item 6. do not apply 2861
4243+if you meet one of the following requirements: 2862
4244+ a. You are 65 years of age or older. 2863
4245+ b. You have a temporary or permanent physical disability. 2864
4246+ c. You are a member of a uniformed service on active duty 2865
4247+who, by reason of such active duty, will be absent from the 2866
4248+county on election day. 2867
4249+ d. You are a member of the Merchant Marine who, by reason 2868
4250+of service in the Merchant Marine, will be absent from the 2869
4251+county on election day. 2870
4252+ e. You are the spouse or dependent of a member referred to 2871
4253+in paragraph c. or paragraph d. who, by reason of the active 2872
4254+duty or service of the member, will be absent from the county on 2873
4255+election day. 2874
4256+ f. You are currently residing o utside the United States. 2875
4257+
4258+HB 1381 2025
4259+
4260+
4261+
4262+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4263+hb1381-00
4264+Page 116 of 166
4265+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4266+
4267+
4268+
4269+ 8. Place the envelope bearing the Voter's Certificate into 2876
4270+the mailing envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy 2877
4271+of your identification in the mailing envelope. DO NOT PUT YOUR 2878
4272+IDENTIFICATION INSIDE THE SECRECY ENVELOP E WITH THE BALLOT OR 2879
4273+INSIDE THE ENVELOPE WHICH BEARS THE VOTER'S CERTIFICATE OR YOUR 2880
4274+BALLOT WILL NOT COUNT. 2881
4275+ 9. Mail, deliver, or have delivered the completed mailing 2882
4276+envelope. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed. 2883
4277+ 10. FELONY NOTICE. It is a fe lony under Florida law to 2884
4278+accept any gift, payment, or gratuity in exchange for your vote 2885
4279+for a candidate. It is also a felony under Florida law to vote 2886
4280+in an election using a false identity or false address, or under 2887
4281+any other circumstances making your ba llot false or fraudulent. 2888
4282+ Section 46. Subsection (5) of section 101.6952, Florida 2889
4283+Statutes, is amended to read: 2890
4284+ 101.6952 Vote-by-mail ballots for absent uniformed 2891
4285+services and overseas voters. — 2892
4286+ (5) A vote-by-mail ballot from an overseas voter in an y 2893
4287+presidential preference primary or general election which is 2894
4288+postmarked or dated no later than the date of the election and 2895
4289+is received by the supervisor of elections of the county in 2896
4290+which the overseas voter is registered no later than 10 days 2897
4291+after the date of the election shall be counted as long as the 2898
4292+vote-by-mail ballot is otherwise proper unless the ballot is 2899
4293+transmitted via facsimile, in which case the ballot must be 2900
4294+
4295+HB 1381 2025
4296+
4297+
4298+
4299+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4300+hb1381-00
4301+Page 117 of 166
4302+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4303+
4304+
4305+
4306+received by 7 p.m. on election day . 2901
4307+ Section 47. Subsection (1) of section 101.694, Florida 2902
4308+Statutes, is amended to read: 2903
4309+ 101.694 Mailing of ballots upon receipt of federal 2904
4310+postcard application. — 2905
4311+ (1) Upon receipt of a federal postcard application for a 2906
4312+vote-by-mail ballot executed by a person whose registration is 2907
4313+in order or whose application is sufficient to register or 2908
4314+update the registration of that person, the supervisor shall 2909
4315+send the ballot in accordance with s. 101.62 s. 101.62(3). 2910
4316+ Section 48. Section 101.697, Florida Statutes, is amended 2911
4317+to read: 2912
4318+ 101.697 Electronic transmission of election materials. —The 2913
4319+Department of State shall determine whether secure electronic 2914
4320+means can be established for receiving ballots from overseas 2915
4321+voters. If such security can be established, the department must 2916
4322+shall adopt rules to authorize a supervisor of elections to 2917
4323+accept from absent uniformed services members, absent state and 2918
4324+National Guard members as defined in s. 250.01, first responders 2919
4325+as defined in s. 112.1815(1), or from overseas civilian voters 2920
4326+due to an armed conflict inv olving United States Armed Forces or 2921
4327+mobilization of those forces, including the state National Guard 2922
4328+and reserve components an overseas voter a request for a vote -2923
4329+by-mail ballot or a voted vote -by-mail ballot by secure 2924
4330+facsimile machine transmission or ot her secure electronic means. 2925
4331+
4332+HB 1381 2025
4333+
4334+
4335+
4336+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4337+hb1381-00
4338+Page 118 of 166
4339+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4340+
4341+
4342+
4343+The rules must provide that in order to accept a voted ballot, 2926
4344+the verification of the voter must be established, the security 2927
4345+of the transmission must be established, and each ballot 2928
4346+received must be recorded. 2929
4347+ Section 49. Section 101.698, Florida Statutes, is amended 2930
4348+to read: 2931
4349+ 101.698 Absentee voting in emergency situations. —If a 2932
4350+national or local emergency or other situation arises which 2933
4351+makes substantial compliance with the provisions of state or 2934
4352+federal law relating to the methods of voting impossible or 2935
4353+unreasonable for absent uniformed services and absent state and 2936
4354+National Guard as defined in s. 250.01, a first responder as 2937
4355+defined in s. 112.1815(1) for overseas voters impossible or 2938
4356+unreasonable, such as an armed conf lict involving United States 2939
4357+Armed Forces or mobilization of those forces, including state 2940
4358+National Guard and reserve components, the department Elections 2941
4359+Canvassing Commission may adopt by emergency rules such special 2942
4360+procedures or requirements necessary to facilitate absentee 2943
4361+voting by those persons directly affected who are otherwise 2944
4362+eligible to vote in the election. 2945
4363+ Section 50. Subsection (5) of section 102.031, Florida 2946
4364+Statutes, is amended to read: 2947
4365+ 102.031 Maintenance of good order at polls; auth orities; 2948
4366+persons allowed in polling rooms and early voting areas; 2949
4367+unlawful solicitation of voters. — 2950
4368+
4369+HB 1381 2025
4370+
4371+
4372+
4373+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4374+hb1381-00
4375+Page 119 of 166
4376+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4377+
4378+
4379+
4380+ (5) No photography, including videography and other visual 2951
4381+or audio recording, is allowed permitted in the polling room or 2952
4382+early voting area, except a voter an elector may photograph his 2953
4383+or her own ballot. 2954
4384+ Section 51. Section 102.141, Florida Statutes, is amended 2955
4385+to read: 2956
4386+ 102.141 County canvassing board; duties. — 2957
4387+ (1) MEMBERSHIP.—The county canvassing board shall be 2958
4388+composed of the supervisor of elec tions; a county court judge, 2959
4389+appointed by the chief judge of the judicial circuit in which 2960
4390+the county is located, and who shall act as chair; and the chair 2961
4391+of the board of county commissioners. The names of the 2962
4392+canvassing board members must be published on the supervisor's 2963
4393+website upon completion of the logic and accuracy test. At least 2964
4394+two alternate canvassing board mem bers must be appointed 2965
4395+pursuant to paragraph (b) (e). 2966
4396+ (a) In the event any member of the county canvassing board 2967
4397+is unable to serve, is a candidate who has opposition in the 2968
4398+election being canvassed, or is an active participant , 2969
4399+including, but not limite d to, publicly endorsing or donating to 2970
4400+in the campaign or candidacy of any candidate who has opposition 2971
4401+in the election being canvassed, or is an active participant 2972
4402+including, but not limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to 2973
4403+the support or opposition of a public measure on the ballot 2974
4404+being canvassed, such member shall be replaced as follows: 2975
4405+
4406+HB 1381 2025
4407+
4408+
4409+
4410+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4411+hb1381-00
4412+Page 120 of 166
4413+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4414+
4415+
4416+
4417+ 1.(a) If a county court judge is unable to serve or if all 2976
4418+are disqualified, the chief judge of the judicial circuit in 2977
4419+which the county is located must appoint as a substitute member 2978
4420+a qualified voter elector of the county who is not a candidate 2979
4421+with opposition in the election being canvassed and who is not 2980
4422+an active participant , including , but not limited to, publicly 2981
4423+endorsing or donating to the support or op position of in the 2982
4424+campaign or candidacy of any candidate with opposition in the 2983
4425+election being canvassed , or is an active participant including, 2984
4426+but not limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to the 2985
4427+support or opposition of a public measure on the bal lot being 2986
4428+canvassed. In such event, the members of the county canvassing 2987
4429+board shall meet and elect a chair. 2988
4430+ 2.(b) If the supervisor of elections is unable to serve or 2989
4431+is disqualified, the chair of the board of county commissioners 2990
4432+must appoint as a subs titute member a member of the board of 2991
4433+county commissioners who is not a candidate with opposition in 2992
4434+the election being canvassed and who is not an active 2993
4435+participant, including, but not limited to, publicly endorsing 2994
4436+or donating to the support or opposit ion of in the campaign or 2995
4437+candidacy of any candidate with opposition in the election being 2996
4438+canvassed, or is an active participant, including, but not 2997
4439+limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to the support or 2998
4440+opposition of a public measure on the ballot being canvassed. 2999
4441+The supervisor, however, shall act in an advisory capacity to 3000
4442+
4443+HB 1381 2025
4444+
4445+
4446+
4447+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4448+hb1381-00
4449+Page 121 of 166
4450+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4451+
4452+
4453+
4454+the canvassing board. 3001
4455+ 3.(c) If the chair of the board of county commissioners is 3002
4456+unable to serve or is disqualified, the board of county 3003
4457+commissioners must appoint as a substi tute member one of its 3004
4458+members who is not a candidate with opposition in the election 3005
4459+being canvassed and who is not an active participant , including, 3006
4460+but not limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to the 3007
4461+support or opposition of in the campaign or candidacy of any 3008
4462+candidate with opposition in the election being canvassed , or is 3009
4463+an active participant including, but not limited to, publicly 3010
4464+endorsing or donating to the support or opposition of a public 3011
4465+measure on the ballot being canvassed . 3012
4466+ (d) If a substitute member or alternate member cannot be 3013
4467+appointed as provided elsewhere in this subsection, or in the 3014
4468+event of a vacancy in such office, the chief judge of the 3015
4469+judicial circuit in which the county is located must appoint as 3016
4470+a substitute member or alt ernate member a qualified elector of 3017
4471+the county who is not a candidate with opposition in the 3018
4472+election being canvassed and who is not an active participant in 3019
4473+the campaign or candidacy of any candidate with opposition in 3020
4474+the election being canvassed. 3021
4475+ (b)1.(e)1. The chief judge of the judicial circuit in 3022
4476+which the county is located shall appoint a county court judge 3023
4477+as an alternate member of the county canvassing board or, if 3024
4478+each county court judge is unable to serve or is disqualified, 3025
4479+
4480+HB 1381 2025
4481+
4482+
4483+
4484+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4485+hb1381-00
4486+Page 122 of 166
4487+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4488+
4489+
4490+
4491+shall appoint an alternate member who is qualified to serve as a 3026
4492+substitute member under paragraph (a). Any alternate may serve 3027
4493+in any seat. 3028
4494+ 2. The chair of the board of county commissioners shall 3029
4495+appoint a member of the board of county commissioners as an 3030
4496+alternate member of the county canvassing board or, if each 3031
4497+member of the board of county commissioners is unable to serve 3032
4498+or is disqualified, shall appoint an alternate member who is 3033
4499+qualified to serve as a substitute member under paragraph (d). 3034
4500+ 3. If a member of the county canvassing board is unable to 3035
4501+participate in a meeting of the board, the chair of the county 3036
4502+canvassing board or his or her designee must designate which 3037
4503+alternate member will serve as a member of the board in the 3038
4504+place of the member who is unable t o participate at that 3039
4505+meeting. 3040
4506+ 4. If not serving as one of the three members of the 3041
4507+county canvassing board, an alternate member may be present, 3042
4508+observe, and communicate with the three members constituting the 3043
4509+county canvassing board, but may not vote in the board's 3044
4510+decisions or determinations. 3045
4511+ (c) If a substitute member or alternate member cannot be 3046
4512+appointed as provided in this subsection, or in the event of a 3047
4513+vacancy in such office, the chief judge of the judicial circuit 3048
4514+in which the county is locat ed must appoint as a substitute 3049
4515+member or alternate member a qualified voter of the county who 3050
4516+
4517+HB 1381 2025
4518+
4519+
4520+
4521+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4522+hb1381-00
4523+Page 123 of 166
4524+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4525+
4526+
4527+
4528+is not a candidate with opposition in the election being 3051
4529+canvassed and who is not an active participant, including 3052
4530+endorsing, supporting, or donating, in the cam paign or candidacy 3053
4531+of a candidate who has opposition in the election being 3054
4532+canvassed or in the support or opposition of a public measure on 3055
4533+the ballot being canvassed. 3056
4534+ (2) IDENTIFICATION.—Each member, substitute member, and 3057
4535+alternate member of the county canvassing board and all clerical 3058
4536+help must wear identification badges during any period in which 3059
4537+the county canvassing board is canvassing votes or engaging in 3060
4538+other official duties. The identification badges must be worn in 3061
4539+a conspicuous or unobstructed area, and include the name of the 3062
4540+individual and his or her official position. 3063
4541+ (3) LEGAL REPRESENTATION. —The county canvassing board 3064
4542+shall retain the county attorney of the county in which the 3065
4543+canvassing board sits for any legal representation. The 3066
4544+canvassing board may retain legal counsel other than the county 3067
4545+attorney upon the affirmative vote of at least two of the 3068
4546+members of the board. 3069
4547+ (4) PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE. — 3070
4548+ (a) The county canvassing board shall meet in a building 3071
4549+accessible to the public in the county where the election 3072
4550+occurred at a time and place to be designated by the supervisor 3073
4551+to publicly canvass the absent voter's electors' ballots as 3074
4552+provided for in s. 101.68 and provisional ballots as provided by 3075
4553+
4554+HB 1381 2025
4555+
4556+
4557+
4558+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4559+hb1381-00
4560+Page 124 of 166
4561+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4562+
4563+
4564+
4565+ss. 101.048, 101.049, and 101.6925. During each meeting of the 3076
4566+county canvassing board, each political party and each candidate 3077
4567+may have one watcher able to view directly or on a display 3078
4568+screen ballots being examined for signature matching and other 3079
4569+processes. Provisional ballots cast pursua nt to s. 101.049 shall 3080
4570+be canvassed in a manner that votes for candidates and issues on 3081
4571+those ballots can be segregated from other votes. As soon as the 3082
4572+absent voter's electors' ballots and the provisional ballots are 3083
4573+canvassed, the board shall proceed to publicly canvass the vote 3084
4574+given each candidate, nominee, constitutional amendment, or 3085
4575+other measure submitted to the electorate of the county, as 3086
4576+shown by the returns then on file in the office of the 3087
4577+supervisor. 3088
4578+ (b) Public notice of the canvassing board members, 3089
4579+alternates, time, and place at which the county canvassing board 3090
4580+shall meet to canvass the absent voters' electors' ballots and 3091
4581+provisional ballots must be given at least 48 hours prior 3092
4582+thereto by publication on the county's website as provided i n s. 3093
4583+50.0311, on the supervisor's website, or in one or more 3094
4584+newspapers of general circulation in the county. If the 3095
4585+applicable website becomes unavailable or there is no newspaper 3096
4586+of general circulation in the county, the notice must be posted 3097
4587+in at least four conspicuous places in the county. The time 3098
4588+given in the notice as to the convening of the meeting of the 3099
4589+county canvassing board must be specific and may not be a time 3100
4590+
4591+HB 1381 2025
4592+
4593+
4594+
4595+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4596+hb1381-00
4597+Page 125 of 166
4598+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4599+
4600+
4601+
4602+period during which the board may meet. 3101
4603+ (c) If the county canvassing board suspe nds or recesses a 3102
4604+meeting publicly noticed pursuant to paragraph (b) for a period 3103
4605+lasting more than 60 minutes, the board must post on the 3104
4606+supervisor's website the anticipated time at which the board 3105
4607+expects to reconvene. If the county canvassing board doe s not 3106
4608+reconvene at the specified time, the board must provide at least 3107
4609+2 hours' notice, which must be posted on the supervisor's 3108
4610+website, before reconvening. 3109
4611+ (d) During any meeting of the county canvassing board, a 3110
4612+physical notice must be placed in a conspicuous area near the 3111
4613+public entrance to the building in which the meeting is taking 3112
4614+place. The physical notice must include the names of the 3113
4615+individuals officially serving as the county canvassing board, 3114
4616+the names of any alternate members, the time of the meeting, and 3115
4617+a brief statement as to the anticipated activities of the county 3116
4618+canvassing board. 3117
4619+ (5)(3) CANVASS OF RETURNS AND PROVISIONAL BALLOTS. —The 3118
4620+canvass, except the canvass of absent voters' electors' returns 3119
4621+and the canvass of provisional bal lots, must shall be made from 3120
4622+the returns and certificates of the inspectors as signed and 3121
4623+filed by them with the supervisor, and the county canvassing 3122
4624+board may shall not change the number of votes cast for a 3123
4625+candidate, nominee, constitutional amendment, or other measure 3124
4626+submitted to the electorate of the county, respectively, in any 3125
4627+
4628+HB 1381 2025
4629+
4630+
4631+
4632+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4633+hb1381-00
4634+Page 126 of 166
4635+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4636+
4637+
4638+
4639+polling place, as shown by the returns. All returns must shall 3126
4640+be made to the board on or before 2 a.m. of the day following 3127
4641+any primary, general, or other election. If the re turns from any 3128
4642+precinct are missing, if there are any omissions on the returns 3129
4643+from any precinct, or if there is an obvious error on any such 3130
4644+returns, the canvassing board must shall order a retabulation of 3131
4645+the returns from such precinct. Before canvassing such returns, 3132
4646+the canvassing board shall examine the tabulation of the ballots 3133
4647+cast in such precinct and determine whether the returns 3134
4648+correctly reflect the votes cast. If there is a discrepancy 3135
4649+between the returns and the tabulation of the ballots cast, the 3136
4650+tabulation of the ballots cast must shall be presumed correct 3137
4651+and such votes shall be canvassed accordingly. 3138
4652+ (4) PRELIMINARY RESULTS. — 3139
4653+ (a) The supervisor of elections shall u pload into the 3140
4654+county's election management system by 7 p.m. local time on the 3141
4655+day before the election the results of all early voting and 3142
4656+vote-by-mail ballots that have been canvassed and tabulated by 3143
4657+the end of the early voting period. Pursuant to ss. 10 1.5614(8), 3144
4658+101.657, and 101.68(2), the tabulation of votes cast or the 3145
4659+results of such uploads may not be made public before the close 3146
4660+of the polls on election day. 3147
4661+ (b) The supervisor of elections, on behalf of the 3148
4662+canvassing board shall report all early voting and all tabulated 3149
4663+vote-by-mail results to the Department of State within 30 3150
4664+
4665+HB 1381 2025
4666+
4667+
4668+
4669+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4670+hb1381-00
4671+Page 127 of 166
4672+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4673+
4674+
4675+
4676+minutes after the polls close. Thereafter, the canvassing board 3151
4677+shall report, with the exception of provisional ballot results, 3152
4678+updated precinct election results must be uploaded to the 3153
4679+department at least every 45 minutes until all results are 3154
4680+completely reported. The supervisor of elections shall notify 3155
4681+the department immediately of any circumstances that do not 3156
4682+permit periodic updates as required. Results must shall be 3157
4683+submitted in a format prescribed by the department. 3158
4684+ (7)(5) UNOFFICIAL RETURNS.— 3159
4685+ (a) The canvassing board shall submit on forms or in 3160
4686+formats provided by the division unofficial returns to the 3161
4687+Department of State for each federal, statewide, state, or 3162
4688+multicounty office or ballot measure no later than noon on the 3163
4689+third day after any primary election and no later than noon on 3164
4690+the fourth day after any general or other election. Such returns 3165
4691+must shall include the canvass of all ballots , including write-3166
4692+in votes, as required by subsection (2). 3167
4693+ (b) After unofficial results are reported, each county 3168
4694+shall conduct a machine vote validation process to validate that 3169
4695+the votes processed through the vote tabulation system for a 3170
4696+candidate for any office, candidate f or retention to a judicial 3171
4697+office, or a measure appearing on the ballot are not within one -3172
4698+half of one percent or less; or if the vote validation process 3173
4699+results in a change in the outcome of the contest, even if by 3174
4700+less than one-half of one percent. The m achine vote validation 3175
4701+
4702+HB 1381 2025
4703+
4704+
4705+
4706+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4707+hb1381-00
4708+Page 128 of 166
4709+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4710+
4711+
4712+
4713+procedure must be completed no later than noon on the 7th day 3176
4714+after any general or other election. 3177
4715+ (c)(6) If the county canvassing board determines , after 3178
4716+the county conducts the automated independent vote validation 3179
4717+process in accordance with s. 101.591 and the comparison of the 3180
4718+results of the vote tabulation and the automated independent 3181
4719+cote validation indicates that the unofficial returns may 3182
4720+contain a counting error in which the vote tabulation system 3183
4721+failed to count votes that were properly marked in accordance 3184
4722+with the instructions on the ballot, the county canvassing board 3185
4723+shall: 3186
4724+ 1.(a) Correct the error and retabulate the affected 3187
4725+ballots with the vote tabulation system; or 3188
4726+ 2.(b) Request that the Department of State verif y the 3189
4727+tabulation software. When the Department of State verifies such 3190
4728+software, the department shall compare the software used to 3191
4729+tabulate the votes with the software filed with the department 3192
4730+pursuant to s. 101.5607 and check the election parameters. 3193
4731+ (8)(7) MANUAL REVIEW.— 3194
4732+ (a) If the comparison of the results of the vote 3195
4733+tabulation and the automated independent vote validation 3196
4734+procedure reflects a difference of more than one -half of one 3197
4735+percent of the results for any candidate for an office, 3198
4736+candidate for retention to judicial office, or a measure 3199
4737+appearing on the ballot, the proper county election official 3200
4738+
4739+HB 1381 2025
4740+
4741+
4742+
4743+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4744+hb1381-00
4745+Page 129 of 166
4746+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4747+
4748+
4749+
4750+under the oversight of the county canvassing board must conduct 3201
4751+a manual review using the images in the vote validation system 3202
4752+of the differences, w hich must include, but need not be limited 3203
4753+to, a review of any clear overvotes or undervotes that appear in 3204
4754+the automated independent vote validation system to adjudicate 3205
4755+the voter intent of such differences before certification of the 3206
4756+county's official re sults unofficial returns reflect that a 3207
4757+candidate for any office was defeated or eliminated by one -half 3208
4758+of a percent or less of the votes cast for such office, that a 3209
4759+candidate for retention to a judicial office was retained or not 3210
4760+retained by one-half of a percent or less of the votes cast on 3211
4761+the question of retention, or that a measure appearing on the 3212
4762+ballot was approved or rejected by one -half of a percent or less 3213
4763+of the votes cast on such measure, a recount shall be ordered of 3214
4764+the votes cast with respe ct to such office or measure . The 3215
4765+Secretary of State is responsible for ordering such manual 3216
4766+reviews recounts in races that are federal or, state races that 3217
4767+are, and multicounty, and any other multicounty races. The 3218
4768+county canvassing board or the local boa rd responsible for 3219
4769+certifying the election is responsible for ordering a manual 3220
4770+review under this subsection recounts in all other races. A 3221
4771+manual review recount need not be ordered with respect to the 3222
4772+returns for any office, however, if the candidate or c andidates 3223
4773+defeated or eliminated from contention for such office by one -3224
4774+half of a percent or less of the votes cast for such office 3225
4775+
4776+HB 1381 2025
4777+
4778+
4779+
4780+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4781+hb1381-00
4782+Page 130 of 166
4783+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4784+
4785+
4786+
4787+request in writing that a manual review recount not be made. 3226
4788+ (a) Each canvassing board responsible for conducting a 3227
4789+recount shall put each marksense ballot through automatic 3228
4790+tabulating equipment and determine whether the returns correctly 3229
4791+reflect the votes cast. If any marksense ballot is physically 3230
4792+damaged so that it cannot be properly counted by the automatic 3231
4793+tabulating equipment during the recount, a true duplicate shall 3232
4794+be made of the damaged ballot pursuant to the procedures in s. 3233
4795+101.5614(4). Immediately before the start of the recount, a test 3234
4796+of the tabulating equipment shall be conducted as provided in s. 3235
4797+101.5612. If the test indicates no error, the recount tabulation 3236
4798+of the ballots cast shall be presumed correct and such votes 3237
4799+shall be canvassed accordingly. If an error is detected, the 3238
4800+cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and the 3239
4801+recount repeated, as nec essary. The canvassing board shall 3240
4802+immediately report the error, along with the cause of the error 3241
4803+and the corrective measures being taken, to the Department of 3242
4804+State. No later than 11 days after the election, the canvassing 3243
4805+board shall file a separate inc ident report with the Department 3244
4806+of State, detailing the resolution of the matter and identifying 3245
4807+any measures that will avoid a future recurrence of the error. 3246
4808+If the automatic tabulating equipment used in a recount is not 3247
4809+part of the voting system and th e ballots have already been 3248
4810+processed through such equipment, the canvassing board is not 3249
4811+required to put each ballot through any automatic tabulating 3250
4812+
4813+HB 1381 2025
4814+
4815+
4816+
4817+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4818+hb1381-00
4819+Page 131 of 166
4820+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4821+
4822+
4823+
4824+equipment again. 3251
4825+ (b) Each canvassing board responsible for conducting a 3252
4826+recount where touchscreen ballo ts were used shall examine the 3253
4827+counters on the precinct tabulators to ensure that the total of 3254
4828+the returns on the precinct tabulators equals the overall 3255
4829+election return. If there is a discrepancy between the overall 3256
4830+election return and the counters of the precinct tabulators, the 3257
4831+counters of the precinct tabulators shall be presumed correct 3258
4832+and such votes shall be canvassed accordingly. 3259
4833+ (c) The canvassing board shall submit on forms or in 3260
4834+formats provided by the division a second set of unofficial 3261
4835+returns to the Department of State for each federal, statewide, 3262
4836+state, or multicounty office or ballot measure. The returns 3263
4837+shall be filed no later than 3 p.m. on the 5th day after any 3264
4838+primary election and no later than 3 p.m. on the 9th day after 3265
4839+any general election in which a recount was ordered by the 3266
4840+Secretary of State. If the canvassing board is unable to 3267
4841+complete the recount prescribed in this subsection by the 3268
4842+deadline, the second set of unofficial returns submitted by the 3269
4843+canvassing board shall be identic al to the initial unofficial 3270
4844+returns and the submission shall also include a detailed 3271
4845+explanation of why it was unable to timely complete the recount. 3272
4846+However, the canvassing board shall complete the recount 3273
4847+prescribed in this subsection, along with any ma nual recount 3274
4848+prescribed in s. 102.166, and certify election returns in 3275
4849+
4850+HB 1381 2025
4851+
4852+
4853+
4854+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4855+hb1381-00
4856+Page 132 of 166
4857+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4858+
4859+
4860+
4861+accordance with the requirements of this chapter. 3276
4862+ (d) The Department of State shall adopt detailed rules 3277
4863+prescribing additional recount procedures for each certified 3278
4864+voting system, which shall be uniform to the extent practicable. 3279
4865+ (8) The canvassing board may employ such clerical help to 3280
4866+assist with the work of the board as it deems necessary, with at 3281
4867+least one member of the board present at all times, until the 3282
4868+canvass of the returns is completed. The clerical help must 3283
4869+shall be paid from the same fund as inspectors and other 3284
4870+necessary election officials. 3285
4871+ (c) The canvassing board shall publish notice on the 3286
4872+county website as provided in s. 50.0311, on the supervisor of 3287
4873+elections' website, or once in one or more newspapers of general 3288
4874+circulation in the county of the manual review, including the 3289
4875+date, time, and place. Such review is open to the public. 3290
4876+ (d) The canvassing board shall submit on forms or in 3291
4877+formats provided by the division a vote validation report to the 3292
4878+department for each federal, statewide, state, or multicounty 3293
4879+office or ballot measure in accordance with paragraph (7)(b). If 3294
4880+the canvassing board is unable to complete the manual review by 3295
4881+the deadline, the vote validation report submitted by the 3296
4882+canvassing board must be identical to the initial unofficial 3297
4883+returns and the submission must also include a detailed 3298
4884+explanation of the reason it was unable to timely complete the 3299
4885+manual review. However, the canvassing board shall complete the 3300
4886+
4887+HB 1381 2025
4888+
4889+
4890+
4891+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4892+hb1381-00
4893+Page 133 of 166
4894+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4895+
4896+
4897+
4898+manual review prescribed in this s ubsection, along with any 3301
4899+manual review prescribed and certify official election returns 3302
4900+in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. 3303
4901+ (e) The department shall adopt rules prescribing 3304
4902+additional manual review procedures for each certified voting 3305
4903+system, which must be uniform to the extent practicable. 3306
4904+ (9) Each member, substitute member, and alternate member 3307
4905+of the county canvassing board and all clerical help must wear 3308
4906+identification badges during any period in which the county 3309
4907+canvassing board is canvassing votes or engaging in other 3310
4908+official duties. The identification badges should be worn in a 3311
4909+conspicuous and unobstructed area, and include the name of the 3312
4910+individual and his or her official position. 3313
4911+ (10)(a) The supervisor shall file a report with the 3314
4912+Division of Elections on the conduct of the election no later 3315
4913+than 20 business days after the Elections Canvassing Commission 3316
4914+certifies the election. The report must, at a minimum, describe 3317
4915+all of the following: 3318
4916+ 1. All equipment or software malf unctions at the precinct 3319
4917+level, at a counting location, or within computer and 3320
4918+telecommunications networks supporting a county location, and 3321
4919+the steps that were taken to address the malfunctions. 3322
4920+ 2. All election definition errors that were discovered 3323
4921+after the logic and accuracy test, and the steps that were taken 3324
4922+to address the errors. 3325
4923+
4924+HB 1381 2025
4925+
4926+
4927+
4928+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4929+hb1381-00
4930+Page 134 of 166
4931+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4932+
4933+
4934+
4935+ 3. All ballot printing errors, vote -by-mail ballot mailing 3326
4936+errors, or ballot supply problems, and the steps that were taken 3327
4937+to address the errors or problems. 3328
4938+ 4. All staffing shortages or procedural violations by 3329
4939+employees or precinct workers which were addressed by the 3330
4940+supervisor of elections or the county canvassing board during 3331
4941+the conduct of the election, and the steps that were taken to 3332
4942+correct such issues. 3333
4943+ 5. All instances where needs for staffing or equipment 3334
4944+were insufficient to meet the needs of the voters. 3335
4945+ 6. Any additional information regarding material issues or 3336
4946+problems associated with the conduct of the election. 3337
4947+ (b) If a supervisor discovers new or additional 3338
4948+information on any of the items required to be included in the 3339
4949+report pursuant to paragraph (a) after the report is filed, the 3340
4950+supervisor must notify the division that new information has 3341
4951+been discovered no later than the next business day after the 3342
4952+discovery, and the supervisor must file an amended report signed 3343
4953+by the supervisor of elections on the conduct of the election 3344
4954+within 10 days after the discovery. 3345
4955+ (c) Such reports must be maintained on file in the 3346
4956+Division of Elections and must be a vailable for public 3347
4957+inspection. 3348
4958+ (d) The division shall review the conduct of election 3349
4959+reports to determine what problems may be likely to occur in 3350
4960+
4961+HB 1381 2025
4962+
4963+
4964+
4965+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
4966+hb1381-00
4967+Page 135 of 166
4968+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
4969+
4970+
4971+
4972+other elections and disseminate such information, along with 3351
4973+possible solutions and training, to the superv isors of 3352
4974+elections. 3353
4975+ (e) The department shall submit the analysis of these 3354
4976+reports for the general election as part of the consolidated 3355
4977+reports required under ss. 101.591 and 101.595 to the Governor, 3356
4978+the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the Hou se of 3357
4979+Representatives by February 15 of each year following a general 3358
4980+election. 3359
4981+ (11) The supervisor shall file with the department a copy 3360
4982+of or an export file from the results database of the county's 3361
4983+voting system and other statistical information as ma y be 3362
4984+required by the department, the Legislature, or the Election 3363
4985+Assistance Commission. The department shall adopt rules 3364
4986+establishing the required content and acceptable formats for the 3365
4987+filings and time for filings. 3366
4988+ Section 52. Section 102.143, Florid a Statutes, is created 3367
4989+to read: 3368
4990+ 102.143 Conduct of election report. — 3369
4991+ (1)(a) The supervisor shall file a report with the 3370
4992+division on the conduct of the election no later than 20 3371
4993+business days after the Election Canvassing Commission certifies 3372
4994+the election. The report must, at a minimum, describe all of the 3373
4995+following: 3374
4996+ 1. All equipment or software malfunctions at the precinct 3375
4997+
4998+HB 1381 2025
4999+
5000+
5001+
5002+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5003+hb1381-00
5004+Page 136 of 166
5005+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5006+
5007+
5008+
5009+level, at a counting location, or within computer and 3376
5010+telecommunications networks supporting a county location and the 3377
5011+steps that were taken to address the errors. 3378
5012+ 2. All election definition errors that were discovered 3379
5013+after the logic and accuracy test, and the steps that were taken 3380
5014+to address the errors. 3381
5015+ 3. All ballot printing errors, vote -by-mail mailing 3382
5016+errors, or ballot suppl y problems and the steps that were taken 3383
5017+to address the errors or problems. 3384
5018+ 4. All staffing shortages or procedural violations by 3385
5019+employees or precinct workers which were addressed by the 3386
5020+supervisor of elections or the county canvassing board during 3387
5021+the conduct of the election, and the steps that were taken to 3388
5022+correct such issues. 3389
5023+ 5. All instances where needs for staffing or equipment 3390
5024+were insufficient to meet the needs of the voters. 3391
5025+ 6. Any additional information regarding material issues or 3392
5026+problems associated with the conduct of the election. 3393
5027+ (b) If a supervisor discovers new or additional 3394
5028+information for any of the items required to be included in the 3395
5029+report pursuant to paragraph (a) after the report is filed, the 3396
5030+supervisor must notify the divis ion that new information has 3397
5031+been discovered no later than the next business day after the 3398
5032+discovery, and the supervisor must file an amended report signed 3399
5033+by the supervisor of elections on the conduct of the election 3400
5034+
5035+HB 1381 2025
5036+
5037+
5038+
5039+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5040+hb1381-00
5041+Page 137 of 166
5042+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5043+
5044+
5045+
5046+within 10 days after the discovery. 3401
5047+ (c) Such reports must be maintained on file in the 3402
5048+division and must be available for public inspection. 3403
5049+ (2) The division shall review the conduct of election 3404
5050+reports to determine what problems may be likely to occur in 3405
5051+other elections and disseminate su ch information, along with 3406
5052+possible solutions and training, to the supervisors of 3407
5053+elections. 3408
5054+ (3) For the general election, the department shall submit 3409
5055+the analysis of these reports as part of the consolidated 3410
5056+reports required under ss. 101.591 and 101.59 5 to the Governor, 3411
5057+the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of 3412
5058+Representatives by February 15 of each year following a general 3413
5059+election. 3414
5060+ Section 53. Section 102.166, Florida Statutes, is amended 3415
5061+to read: 3416
5062+ 102.166 Manual review recounts of overvotes and 3417
5063+undervotes.— 3418
5064+ (1) If the comprehensive, validated results of the 3419
5065+automated independent vote validation process conducted second 3420
5066+set of unofficial returns pursuant to ss. 101.591 and 102.141 s. 3421
5067+102.141 indicates that a candidate for any office was defeated 3422
5068+or eliminated by one -quarter of a percent or less of the votes 3423
5069+cast for such office, that a candidate for retention to a 3424
5070+judicial office was retained or not retained by one -quarter of a 3425
5071+
5072+HB 1381 2025
5073+
5074+
5075+
5076+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5077+hb1381-00
5078+Page 138 of 166
5079+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5080+
5081+
5082+
5083+percent or less of the votes cast on the question of retention, 3426
5084+or that a measure appearing on the ballot was approved or 3427
5085+rejected by one-quarter of a percent or less of the votes cast 3428
5086+on such measure, a manual review recount of the overvotes and 3429
5087+undervotes cast in the entire geographic jurisdiction of su ch 3430
5088+office or ballot measure must shall be ordered unless: 3431
5089+ (a) The candidate or candidates defeated or eliminated 3432
5090+from contention by one -quarter of 1 percent or fewer of the 3433
5091+votes cast for such office request in writing that a manual 3434
5092+review recount not be made; or 3435
5093+ (b) The number of overvotes and undervotes is fewer than 3436
5094+the number of votes needed to change the outcome of the 3437
5095+election. 3438
5096+ 3439
5097+The Secretary of State is responsible for ordering such manual 3440
5098+review in races that are a manual recount for federal or, state 3441
5099+races that are multicounty , and any other multicounty races. The 3442
5100+county canvassing board or local board responsible for 3443
5101+certifying the election is responsible for ordering a manual 3444
5102+review recount for all other races. A manual review recount 3445
5103+consists of a review recount of paper marksense ballots and if 3446
5104+an independent tabulation system is used, or of digital images 3447
5105+of those ballots by a person. 3448
5106+ (2) Any hardware or software used to identify and sort 3449
5107+overvotes and undervotes for a given race or ballot measure must 3450
5108+
5109+HB 1381 2025
5110+
5111+
5112+
5113+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5114+hb1381-00
5115+Page 139 of 166
5116+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5117+
5118+
5119+
5120+be certified by the Department of State. Any such hardware or 3451
5121+software must be capable of simultaneously identifying and 3452
5122+sorting overvotes and undervotes in multiple races while 3453
5123+simultaneously counting votes. Overvotes and undervotes m ust be 3454
5124+identified and sorted while conducting the vote validation 3455
5125+process recounting ballots pursuant to s. 102.141. Overvotes and 3456
5126+undervotes may be identified and sorted physically or digitally. 3457
5127+ (3) Any manual review is recount shall be open to the 3458
5128+public. Each political party may designate one person with 3459
5129+expertise in the computer field who must be allowed in the 3460
5130+central counting room when all tests are being conducted and 3461
5131+when the official votes are being counted. The designee may not 3462
5132+interfere with the normal operation of the canvassing board. 3463
5133+ (4)(a) A vote for a candidate or ballot measure must shall 3464
5134+be counted if there is a clear indication on the ballot that the 3465
5135+voter has made a definite choice. 3466
5136+ (b) The Department of State shall adopt specific r ules for 3467
5137+the federal write-in absentee ballot and for each certified 3468
5138+voting system prescribing what constitutes a "clear indication 3469
5139+on the ballot that the voter has made a definite choice." The 3470
5140+rules must shall be consistent, to the extent practicable, and 3471
5141+may not: 3472
5142+ 1. Authorize the use of any electronic or 3473
5143+electromechanical reading device to review a hybrid voting 3474
5144+system ballot that is produced using a voter interface device 3475
5145+
5146+HB 1381 2025
5147+
5148+
5149+
5150+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5151+hb1381-00
5152+Page 140 of 166
5153+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5154+
5155+
5156+
5157+and that contains both machine -readable fields and machine -3476
5158+printed text of the contest titles and voter selections, unless 3477
5159+the printed text is illegible; 3478
5160+ 2. Exclusively provide that the voter must properly mark 3479
5161+or designate his or her choice on the ballot; or 3480
5162+ 3. Contain a catch-all provision that fails to identify 3481
5163+specific standards, such as "any other mark or indication 3482
5164+clearly indicating that the voter has made a definite choice." 3483
5165+ (c) The rule for the federal write -in absentee ballot must 3484
5166+address, at a minimum, the following issues: 3485
5167+ 1. The appropriate lines or spaces for des ignating a 3486
5168+candidate choice and, for state and local races, the office or 3487
5169+ballot measure to be voted, including the proximity of each to 3488
5170+the other and the effect of intervening blank lines. 3489
5171+ 2. The sufficiency of designating a candidate's first or 3490
5172+last name when no other candidate in the race has the same or a 3491
5173+similar name. 3492
5174+ 3. The sufficiency of designating a candidate's first or 3493
5175+last name when an opposing candidate has the same or a similar 3494
5176+name, notwithstanding generational suffixes and titles such as 3495
5177+"Jr.," "Sr.," or "III." The rule should contemplate the 3496
5178+sufficiency of additional first names and first initials, middle 3497
5179+names and middle initials, generational suffixes and titles, 3498
5180+nicknames, and, in general elections, the name or abbreviation 3499
5181+of a political party. 3500
5182+
5183+HB 1381 2025
5184+
5185+
5186+
5187+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5188+hb1381-00
5189+Page 141 of 166
5190+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5191+
5192+
5193+
5194+ 4. Candidate designations containing both a qualified 3501
5195+candidate's name and a political party, including those in which 3502
5196+the party designated is the candidate's party, is not the 3503
5197+candidate's party, has an opposing candidate in the race, or 3504
5198+does not have an opposing candidate in the race. 3505
5199+ 5. Situations where the abbreviation or name of a 3506
5200+candidate is the same as the abbreviation or name of a political 3507
5201+party to which the candidate does not belong, including those in 3508
5202+which the party designated has another candidate in the race or 3509
5203+does not have a candidate in the race. 3510
5204+ 6. The use of marks, symbols, or language, such as arrows, 3511
5205+quotation marks, or the word "same" or "ditto," to indicate that 3512
5206+the same political party designation applies to all liste d 3513
5207+offices or the elector's approval or disapproval of all listed 3514
5208+ballot measures. 3515
5209+ 7. Situations in which an elector designates the name of a 3516
5210+qualified candidate for an incorrect office. 3517
5211+ 8. Situations in which an elector designates an otherwise 3518
5212+correct office name that includes an incorrect district number. 3519
5213+ (5) Procedures for a manual review recount are as follows: 3520
5214+ (a) The county canvassing board shall appoint as many 3521
5215+counting teams of at least two electors as is necessary to 3522
5216+manually review recount the ballots. A counting team must have, 3523
5217+when possible, members of at least two political parties. A 3524
5218+candidate involved in the race shall not be a member of the 3525
5219+
5220+HB 1381 2025
5221+
5222+
5223+
5224+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5225+hb1381-00
5226+Page 142 of 166
5227+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5228+
5229+
5230+
5231+counting team. 3526
5232+ (b) Each duplicate ballot prepared pursuant to s. 3527
5233+101.5614(4) or s. 102.141(8) s. 102.141(7) shall be compared 3528
5234+with the original ballot to ensure the correctness of the 3529
5235+duplicate. 3530
5236+ (c) If a counting team is unable to determine whether the 3531
5237+ballot contains a clear indication that the voter has made a 3532
5238+definite choice, the ballot must shall be presented to the 3533
5239+county canvassing board for a determination. 3534
5240+ (d) The Department of State shall adopt detailed rules 3535
5241+prescribing additional review recount procedures for each 3536
5242+certified voting system which must shall be uniform to the 3537
5243+extent practicable. The rules must, at a minimum, shall address, 3538
5244+at a minimum, the following areas: 3539
5245+ 1. Security of ballots during the manual review recount 3540
5246+process; 3541
5247+ 2. Time and place of manual reviews recounts; 3542
5248+ 3. Public observance of manual reviews recounts; 3543
5249+ 4. Objections to ballot determinations; 3544
5250+ 5. Record of manual review recount proceedings; 3545
5251+ 6. Procedures relating to candidate and petitioner 3546
5252+representatives; and 3547
5253+ 7. Procedures relating to the certification and the use of 3548
5254+automatic tabulating equipment that is not part of a voting 3549
5255+system. 3550
5256+
5257+HB 1381 2025
5258+
5259+
5260+
5261+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5262+hb1381-00
5263+Page 143 of 166
5264+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5265+
5266+
5267+
5268+ (6) Nothing in this section precludes a county canvassing 3551
5269+board or local board involved in the manual review recount from 3552
5270+comparing a digital image of a ballot to the corresponding 3553
5271+physical paper ballot during a manu al review recount. 3554
5272+ Section 54. Subsections (1), (3), and (4) of section 3555
5273+103.021, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 3556
5274+ 103.021 Nomination for presidential electors. —Candidates 3557
5275+for presidential electors shall be nominated in the following 3558
5276+manner: 3559
5277+ (1)(a) The Governor shall nominate the presidential 3560
5278+electors of each political party. The state executive committee 3561
5279+of each political party shall by resolution recommend candidates 3562
5280+for presidential electors equal to the number of senators and 3563
5281+representatives which this state has in Congress and deliver a 3564
5282+certified copy thereof to the Governor no later than noon on the 3565
5283+third day after the primary election in August 24 of each 3566
5284+presidential election year. The Governor shall nominate only the 3567
5285+electors recommended by the state executive committee of the 3568
5286+respective political party. 3569
5287+ (b) The state executive committee of each political party 3570
5288+shall also certify to the Governor submit the Florida voter 3571
5289+registration number and contact information of each presidential 3572
5290+elector recommended no later than noon on the third day after 3573
5291+the primary election in each presidential election year. Contact 3574
5292+information must include mailing address, phone number, and e -3575
5293+
5294+HB 1381 2025
5295+
5296+
5297+
5298+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5299+hb1381-00
5300+Page 144 of 166
5301+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5302+
5303+
5304+
5305+mail address. Each such presidential elector must be a qualified 3576
5306+registered voter of this state and member of the party he or she 3577
5307+represents who has taken a written oath that he or she will vote 3578
5308+for the candidates of the party that he or she is nominated to 3579
5309+represent. 3580
5310+ (c) The state executive committee of each political party 3581
5311+shall also certify to the Governor and submit the names of its 3582
5312+candidates for President and Vice President of the United States 3583
5313+no later than noon on the third day after the primary election 3584
5314+in each presidential election year. 3585
5315+ (d) The Governor shall certify to the Department of State 3586
5316+each political party's submission no later than 5 p.m. on the 3587
5317+third day after the primary election August 24, in each 3588
5318+presidential election year , the names of a number of electors 3589
5319+for each political party equal to the n umber of senators and 3590
5320+representatives which this state has in Congress . 3591
5321+ (3) Candidates for President and Vice President with no 3592
5322+party affiliation may have their names printed on the general 3593
5323+election ballots if a petition is signed by 1 percent of the 3594
5324+registered voters of this state, as shown by the compilation by 3595
5325+the Department of State for the last preceding general election. 3596
5326+A separate petition from each county for which signatures are 3597
5327+solicited must shall be submitted to the supervisor of elections 3598
5328+of the respective county no later than noon on July 15 of each 3599
5329+presidential election year. The supervisor shall check the names 3600
5330+
5331+HB 1381 2025
5332+
5333+
5334+
5335+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5336+hb1381-00
5337+Page 145 of 166
5338+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5339+
5340+
5341+
5342+and, on or before the date of the primary election, shall 3601
5343+certify the number shown as registered voters of the county. The 3602
5344+supervisor shall be paid by the person requesting the 3603
5345+certification the cost of checking the petitions as prescribed 3604
5346+in s. 99.097. The supervisor shall then forward the certificate 3605
5347+to the Department of State which must shall determine whether or 3606
5348+not the percentage factor required in this section has been met. 3607
5349+If When the percentage factor required in this section has been 3608
5350+met, the candidates must submit to the Department of State no 3609
5351+later than 5 p.m. on the third day after the primary election in 3610
5352+each presidential election year, a certificate listing the name, 3611
5353+Florida voter registration number, and contact information of 3612
5354+each presidential elector equal to the number of senators and 3613
5355+representatives which this state has in Congress. Contact 3614
5356+information must include ma iling address, phone number, and e -3615
5357+mail address. Each such presidential elector must be a qualified 3616
5358+voter of this state and registered as unaffiliated with any 3617
5359+political party and must have taken a written oath that he or 3618
5360+she will vote for the candidates t hat he or she is nominated to 3619
5361+represent. Upon timely certification, the department shall order 3620
5362+the names of the candidates for whom the petition was circulated 3621
5363+to be included on the ballot and shall allow the required number 3622
5364+of persons to be certified as p residential electors in the same 3623
5365+manner as party candidates . 3624
5366+ (4)(a) A minor political party that is affiliated with a 3625
5367+
5368+HB 1381 2025
5369+
5370+
5371+
5372+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5373+hb1381-00
5374+Page 146 of 166
5375+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5376+
5377+
5378+
5379+national party holding a national convention to nominate 3626
5380+candidates for President and Vice President of the United States 3627
5381+may have the names of its candidates for President and Vice 3628
5382+President of the United States printed on the general election 3629
5383+ballot by filing with the Department of State a certificate 3630
5384+naming the candidates for President and Vice President and 3631
5385+listing the name, Florida voter registration number, and contact 3632
5386+information of each presidential elector equal to the number of 3633
5387+senators and representatives which this state has in Congress. 3634
5388+Contact information must include mailing address, phone number, 3635
5389+and e-mail address. Each suc h presidential elector must be a 3636
5390+qualified voter of this state and registered as a member of the 3637
5391+minor political party and must have taken a written oath that he 3638
5392+or she will vote for the candidates that he or she is nominated 3639
5393+to represent required number of persons to serve as presidential 3640
5394+electors. Notification to the Department of State under this 3641
5395+subsection must be made no later than 5 p.m. on the third day 3642
5396+after the primary election in the presidential election August 3643
5397+24 of the year in which the general election is held. Upon 3644
5398+timely certification, When the Department of State has been so 3645
5399+notified, it shall order the names of the candidates nominated 3646
5400+by the minor political party to be included on the ballot and 3647
5401+shall allow the required number of persons t o be certified as 3648
5402+presidential electors in the same manner as other party 3649
5403+candidates. As used in this section, the term "national party" 3650
5404+
5405+HB 1381 2025
5406+
5407+
5408+
5409+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5410+hb1381-00
5411+Page 147 of 166
5412+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5413+
5414+
5415+
5416+means a political party that is registered with and recognized 3651
5417+as a qualified national committee of a political party b y the 3652
5418+Federal Election Commission. 3653
5419+ (b) A minor political party that is not affiliated with a 3654
5420+national party holding a national convention to nominate 3655
5421+candidates for President and Vice President of the United States 3656
5422+may have the names of its candidates fo r President and Vice 3657
5423+President printed on the general election ballot if a petition 3658
5424+for the minor political party is signed by 1 percent of the 3659
5425+registered voters of this state, as shown by the compilation by 3660
5426+the Department of State for the preceding genera l election. A 3661
5427+separate petition from each county for which signatures are 3662
5428+solicited must be submitted to the supervisors of elections of 3663
5429+the respective county no later than noon on July 15 of each 3664
5430+presidential election year. The supervisor shall check the names 3665
5431+and, on or before the date of the primary election, shall 3666
5432+certify the number shown as registered voters of the county. The 3667
5433+supervisor shall be paid by the person requesting the 3668
5434+certification the cost of checking the petitions as prescribed 3669
5435+in s. 99.097. The supervisor shall then forward the certificate 3670
5436+to the Department of State, which shall determine whether or not 3671
5437+the percentage factor required in this section has been met. If 3672
5438+When the percentage factor required in this section has been 3673
5439+met, the minor political party must submit to the Department of 3674
5440+State no later than 5 p.m. on the third day after the primary 3675
5441+
5442+HB 1381 2025
5443+
5444+
5445+
5446+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5447+hb1381-00
5448+Page 148 of 166
5449+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5450+
5451+
5452+
5453+election in each presidential election year, a certificate 3676
5454+nominating its candidates for President and Vice President and 3677
5455+listing the name, Florida voter registration number, and contact 3678
5456+information of each presidential elector equal to the number of 3679
5457+senators and representatives which this state has in Congress. 3680
5458+Contact information must include a mailing address, a phone 3681
5459+number, and an e-mail address. Each such presidential elector 3682
5460+must be a qualified voter of this state and registered as 3683
5461+unaffiliated with any political party and must have taken a 3684
5462+written oath that he or she will vote for the candidates that he 3685
5463+or she is nominated to represent . Upon timely certification, the 3686
5464+department shall order the names of the candidates for whom the 3687
5465+petition was circulated to be included on the ballot and shall 3688
5466+allow the required number of persons to be certified as 3689
5467+presidential electors in the same manner as other party 3690
5468+candidates. 3691
5469+ Section 55. Subsection (2) of section 103.121, Florida 3692
5470+Statutes, is amended to read: 3693
5471+ 103.121 Powers and duties of executive committees. — 3694
5472+ (2) The chair and treasurer of an executive committee of 3695
5473+any political party shall be accountable for the funds of such 3696
5474+committee and jointly liable for their proper expenditure for 3697
5475+authorized purposes only. The funds of each such state executive 3698
5476+committee shall be publicly audited by a licensed certified 3699
5477+public accountant at the end of each calendar year and a copy of 3700
5478+
5479+HB 1381 2025
5480+
5481+
5482+
5483+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5484+hb1381-00
5485+Page 149 of 166
5486+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5487+
5488+
5489+
5490+such audit furnished to the Department of State for its 3701
5491+examination prior to April 1 of the ensuing year. When filed 3702
5492+with the Department of State, copies of such audit shall be 3703
5493+public documents. The treasurer of each county executive 3704
5494+committee shall maintain adequate records evidencing receipt and 3705
5495+disbursement of all party funds received by him or her, and such 3706
5496+records shall be publicly audited by a licensed certified public 3707
5497+accountant at the end of each calendar year and a copy of such 3708
5498+audit filed with the supervisor of elections and the state 3709
5499+executive committee prior to April 1 of the ensuing year. 3710
5500+ Section 56. Subsections (3) and (4) are added to section 3711
5501+104.047, Florida Statutes, to read: 3712
5502+ 104.047 Vote-by-mail ballots and voting; violations. — 3713
5503+ (3) Any private or commercial mail forwarding delivery 3714
5504+courier or service may not further forward any voter's official 3715
5505+vote-by-mail ballot or envelope that has been delivered to the 3716
5506+courier's or service's address. A person who willfully violates 3717
5507+this subsection is guilty of a felony of the third degree, 3718
5508+punishable as provided s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 3719
5509+ (4) If a person physically collects a voter's request for 3720
5510+a vote-by-mail ballot and copies or retains the voter's request 3721
5511+or copies or retains a voter's personal information, such as the 3722
5512+voter's Florida driver license number, Florida identification 3723
5513+card number, social security number, or signature on such 3724
5514+request, the person commits a felony of the third degree, 3725
5515+
5516+HB 1381 2025
5517+
5518+
5519+
5520+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5521+hb1381-00
5522+Page 150 of 166
5523+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5524+
5525+
5526+
5527+punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 3726
5528+ Section 57. Section 105.09, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 3727
5529+ Section 58. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 3728
5530+106.021, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3729
5531+ 106.021 Campaign treasure rs; deputies; primary and 3730
5532+secondary depositories. — 3731
5533+ (1)(a) Each candidate for nomination or election to office 3732
5534+and each political committee shall appoint a campaign treasurer. 3733
5535+Each person who seeks to qualify for nomination or election to, 3734
5536+or retention in, office shall appoint a campaign treasurer and 3735
5537+designate a primary campaign depository before qualifying for 3736
5538+office. A candidate may not appoint himself or herself, or a 3737
5539+member of the candidate's immediate family as defined in s. 3738
5540+101.62(1)(d), as the trea surer of his or her own campaign. Any 3739
5541+person who seeks to qualify for election or nomination to any 3740
5542+office by means of the petitioning process shall appoint a 3741
5543+treasurer and designate a primary depository on or before the 3742
5544+date he or she obtains the petition s. At the same time a 3743
5545+candidate designates a campaign depository and appoints a 3744
5546+treasurer, the candidate shall also designate the office for 3745
5547+which he or she is a candidate. If the candidate is running for 3746
5548+an office that will be grouped on the ballot with t wo or more 3747
5549+similar offices to be filled at the same election, the candidate 3748
5550+must indicate for which group or district office he or she is 3749
5551+running. This subsection does not prohibit a candidate, at a 3750
5552+
5553+HB 1381 2025
5554+
5555+
5556+
5557+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5558+hb1381-00
5559+Page 151 of 166
5560+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5561+
5562+
5563+
5564+later date, from changing the designation of the office f or 3751
5565+which he or she is a candidate. However, if a candidate changes 3752
5566+the designated office for which he or she is a candidate, the 3753
5567+candidate must notify all contributors in writing of the intent 3754
5568+to seek a different office and offer to return pro rata, upon 3755
5569+their request, those contributions given in support of the 3756
5570+original office sought. This notification must shall be given 3757
5571+within 15 days after the filing of the change of designation and 3758
5572+shall include a standard form developed by the Division of 3759
5573+Elections for requesting the return of contributions. The notice 3760
5574+requirement does not apply to any change in a numerical 3761
5575+designation resulting solely from redistricting. If, within 30 3762
5576+days after being notified by the candidate of the intent to seek 3763
5577+a different office, the contributor notifies the candidate in 3764
5578+writing that the contributor wishes his or her contribution to 3765
5579+be returned, the candidate must shall return the contribution, 3766
5580+on a pro rata basis, calculated as of the date the change of 3767
5581+designation is filed. Up t o a maximum of the contribution limits 3768
5582+specified in s. 106.08, a candidate who runs for an office other 3769
5583+than the office originally designated may use any contribution 3770
5584+that a donor does not request be returned within the 30 -day 3771
5585+period for the newly designat ed office, provided the candidate 3772
5586+disposes of any amount exceeding the contribution limit pursuant 3773
5587+to the options in s. 106.11(5)(b) and (c) or s. 106.141(4)(a)1., 3774
5588+2., or 4.; notwithstanding, the full amount of the contribution 3775
5589+
5590+HB 1381 2025
5591+
5592+
5593+
5594+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5595+hb1381-00
5596+Page 152 of 166
5597+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5598+
5599+
5600+
5601+for the original office shal l count toward the contribution 3776
5602+limits specified in s. 106.08 for the newly designated office. A 3777
5603+person may not accept any contribution or make any expenditure 3778
5604+with a view to bringing about his or her nomination, election, 3779
5605+or retention in public office, or authorize another to accept 3780
5606+such contributions or make such expenditure on the person's 3781
5607+behalf, unless such person has appointed a campaign treasurer 3782
5608+and designated a primary campaign depository. A candidate for an 3783
5609+office voted upon statewide may appoint not more than 15 deputy 3784
5610+campaign treasurers, and any other candidate or political 3785
5611+committee may appoint not more than 3 deputy campaign 3786
5612+treasurers. The names and addresses of the campaign treasurer 3787
5613+and deputy campaign treasurers so appointed must shall be filed 3788
5614+with the officer before whom such candidate is required to 3789
5615+qualify or with whom such political committee is required to 3790
5616+register pursuant to s. 106.03. 3791
5617+ Section 59. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 3792
5618+106.07, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 3793
5619+ 106.07 Reports; certification and filing. — 3794
5620+ (4)(a) Except for daily reports, to which only the 3795
5621+contributions provisions below apply, and except as provided in 3796
5622+paragraph (b), each report required by this section must 3797
5623+contain: 3798
5624+ 1. The full name, a ddress, and occupation, if any, of each 3799
5625+person who has made one or more contributions to or for such 3800
5626+
5627+HB 1381 2025
5628+
5629+
5630+
5631+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5632+hb1381-00
5633+Page 153 of 166
5634+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5635+
5636+
5637+
5638+committee or candidate within the reporting period, together 3801
5639+with the amount and date of such contributions. For 3802
5640+corporations, the report must provide as c lear a description as 3803
5641+practicable of the principal type of business conducted by the 3804
5642+corporation. However, if the contribution is $100 or less or is 3805
5643+from a relative, as defined in s. 112.312, provided that the 3806
5644+relationship is reported, the occupation of th e contributor or 3807
5645+the principal type of business need not be listed. 3808
5646+ 2. The name and address of each political committee from 3809
5647+which the reporting committee or the candidate received, or to 3810
5648+which the reporting committee or candidate made, any transfer of 3811
5649+funds, together with the amounts and dates of all transfers. 3812
5650+ 3.a. Each loan for campaign purposes to or from any person 3813
5651+or political committee within the reporting period, together 3814
5652+with the full names, addresses, and occupations, and principal 3815
5653+places of business, if any, of the lender and endorsers, if any, 3816
5654+and the date and amount of such loans. 3817
5655+ b.(I) If a candidate makes a loan of more than $500 to his 3818
5656+or her own committee, the candidate also must file an affidavit 3819
5657+attesting that the loan is from his or her own funds and 3820
5658+identifying the financial institutions from which the loan was 3821
5659+made and received. Within 7 days after making such loan, the 3822
5660+candidate must file an affidavit with the officer before whom 3823
5661+the candidate is required by law to qualify. All ca ndidates who 3824
5662+file with the Department of State shall file their affidavits 3825
5663+
5664+HB 1381 2025
5665+
5666+
5667+
5668+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5669+hb1381-00
5670+Page 154 of 166
5671+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5672+
5673+
5674+
5675+pursuant to s. 106.0705. Except as provided in s. 106.0705, 3826
5676+affidavits must be filed no later than 5 p.m. of the day 3827
5677+designated; however, any affidavit postmarked by the United 3828
5678+States Postal Service no later than midnight of the day 3829
5679+designated is deemed to have been filed in a timely manner. Any 3830
5680+affidavit received by the filing officer within 5 days after the 3831
5681+designated due date that was delivered by the United States 3832
5682+Postal Service is deemed timely filed unless it has a postmark 3833
5683+that indicates that the affidavit was mailed after the 3834
5684+designated due date. A certificate of mailing obtained from and 3835
5685+dated by the United States Postal Service at the time of 3836
5686+mailing, or a receipt from an es tablished courier company, which 3837
5687+bears a date on or before the date on which the affidavit is 3838
5688+due, suffices as proof of mailing in a timely manner. Affidavits 3839
5689+are open to public inspection. 3840
5690+ (II) This sub-subparagraph does not prohibit the governing 3841
5691+body of a political subdivision, by ordinance or resolution, 3842
5692+from imposing upon its own officers and candidates electronic 3843
5693+filing requirements not in conflict with s. 106.0705. 3844
5694+Expenditure of public funds for such purpose is deemed to be for 3845
5695+a valid public purpose. 3846
5696+ (III) If a candidate fails to submit the affidavit as 3847
5697+required by sub-sub-subparagraph (I), he or she must be fined 3848
5698+$50 for each date. 3849
5699+ 4. A statement of each contribution, rebate, refund, or 3850
5700+
5701+HB 1381 2025
5702+
5703+
5704+
5705+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5706+hb1381-00
5707+Page 155 of 166
5708+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5709+
5710+
5711+
5712+other receipt not otherwise listed under subparagraphs 1 . 3851
5713+through 3. 3852
5714+ 5. The total sums of all loans, in -kind contributions, and 3853
5715+other receipts by or for such committee or candidate during the 3854
5716+reporting period. The reporting forms shall be designed to 3855
5717+elicit separate totals for in -kind contributions, loans, an d 3856
5718+other receipts. 3857
5719+ 6. The full name and address of each person to whom 3858
5720+expenditures have been made by or on behalf of the committee or 3859
5721+candidate within the reporting period; the amount, date, and 3860
5722+purpose of each such expenditure; and the name and address of, 3861
5723+and office sought by, each candidate on whose behalf such 3862
5724+expenditure was made. However, expenditures made from the petty 3863
5725+cash fund provided by s. 106.12 need not be reported 3864
5726+individually. 3865
5727+ 7. The full name and address of each person to whom an 3866
5728+expenditure for personal services, salary, or reimbursement for 3867
5729+authorized expenses as provided in s. 106.021(3) has been made 3868
5730+and which is not otherwise reported, including the amount, date, 3869
5731+and purpose of such expenditure. However, expenditures made from 3870
5732+the petty cash fund provided for in s. 106.12 need not be 3871
5733+reported individually. Receipts for reimbursement for authorized 3872
5734+expenditures shall be retained by the treasurer along with the 3873
5735+records for the campaign account. 3874
5736+ 8. The total amount withdrawn and the total amount spent 3875
5737+
5738+HB 1381 2025
5739+
5740+
5741+
5742+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5743+hb1381-00
5744+Page 156 of 166
5745+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5746+
5747+
5748+
5749+for petty cash purposes pursuant to this chapter during the 3876
5750+reporting period. 3877
5751+ 9. The total sum of expenditures made by such committee or 3878
5752+candidate during the reporting period. 3879
5753+ 10. The amount and nature of debts and obligations owed by 3880
5754+or to the committee or candidate, which relate to the conduct of 3881
5755+any political campaign. 3882
5756+ 11. Transaction information for each credit card purchase. 3883
5757+Receipts for each credit card purchase shall be retained by the 3884
5758+treasurer with the records for the campaign account. 3885
5759+ 12. The amount and nature of any separate interest -bearing 3886
5760+accounts or certificates of deposit and identification of the 3887
5761+financial institution in which such accounts or certificates of 3888
5762+deposit are located. 3889
5763+ 13. The primary purposes of an expenditure made indirectly 3890
5764+through a campaign treasurer pursuant to s. 106.021(3) for goods 3891
5765+and services such as communications media placement or 3892
5766+procurement services, campaign signs, insurance, and other 3893
5767+expenditures that include multiple components as part of the 3894
5768+expenditure. The primary purpose of an expenditure shall be that 3895
5769+purpose, including integral and directly related components, 3896
5770+that comprises 80 percent of such expenditure. 3897
5771+ Section 60. Subsection (12) of section 106.08, Florida 3898
5772+Statutes, is amended to read: 3899
5773+ 106.08 Contributions; limitations on. — 3900
5774+
5775+HB 1381 2025
5776+
5777+
5778+
5779+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5780+hb1381-00
5781+Page 157 of 166
5782+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5783+
5784+
5785+
5786+ (12)(a)1. For purposes of this subsection, the term 3901
5787+"foreign national" means: 3902
5788+ a. A foreign government; 3903
5789+ b. A foreign political party; 3904
5790+ c. A foreign corpor ation, partnership, association, 3905
5791+organization, or other combination of persons organized under 3906
5792+the laws of or having its principal place of business in a 3907
5793+foreign country; 3908
5794+ d. A person with foreign citizenship; or 3909
5795+ e. A person who is not a citizen or nati onal of the United 3910
5796+States and is not lawfully admitted to the United States for 3911
5797+permanent residence. 3912
5798+ 2. The term does not include: 3913
5799+ a. A person who is a dual citizen or dual national of the 3914
5800+United States and a foreign country. 3915
5801+ b. A domestic subsidiary of a foreign corporation, 3916
5802+partnership, association, organization, or other combination of 3917
5803+persons organized under the laws of or having its principal 3918
5804+place of business in a foreign country if: 3919
5805+ (I) The donations and disbursements used toward a 3920
5806+contribution or an expenditure are derived entirely from funds 3921
5807+generated by the subsidiary's operations in the United States; 3922
5808+and 3923
5809+ (II) All decisions concerning donations and disbursements 3924
5810+used toward a contribution or an expenditure are made by 3925
5811+
5812+HB 1381 2025
5813+
5814+
5815+
5816+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5817+hb1381-00
5818+Page 158 of 166
5819+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5820+
5821+
5822+
5823+individuals who either hold United States citizenship or are 3926
5824+permanent residents of the United States. For purposes of this 3927
5825+sub-sub-subparagraph, decisions concerning donations and 3928
5826+disbursements do not include decisions regarding the 3929
5827+subsidiary's overall budget for contribut ions or expenditures in 3930
5828+connection with an election. 3931
5829+ (b) A foreign national may not make or offer to make, 3932
5830+directly or indirectly, a contribution or expenditure in 3933
5831+connection with any election held in the state , including any of 3934
5832+the following: 3935
5833+ 1. In support or opposition to a candidate for any 3936
5834+elective office in this state, including an office of a 3937
5835+political party. 3938
5836+ 2. In support or opposition to a statewide ballot issue or 3939
5837+question, regardless of whether the ballot issue or question has 3940
5838+yet been certified to appear on the ballot. 3941
5839+ 3. For the direct cost of producing or airing an 3942
5840+electioneering communication. 3943
5841+ 4. To a candidate, campaign committee, political action 3944
5842+committee, political contributing entity, legislative campaign 3945
5843+fund, state candidate fund, to any committee created to support 3946
5844+or oppose a ballot issue or question, or, to the maximum extent 3947
5845+permitted by law and by the Constitution of the United States 3948
5846+and the State Constitution, to a continuing association. 3949
5847+ (c) A foreign national may no t promise, either expressly 3950
5848+
5849+HB 1381 2025
5850+
5851+
5852+
5853+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5854+hb1381-00
5855+Page 159 of 166
5856+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5857+
5858+
5859+
5860+or implicitly, to make a contribution, an expenditure, an 3951
5861+independent expenditure, or disbursement described in 3952
5862+subparagraph (b)1., subparagraph (b)2., subparagraph (b)3., or 3953
5863+subparagraph (b)4. 3954
5864+ (d) A political party, a politic al committee, a committee 3955
5865+created to support or oppose a ballot issue or question, an 3956
5866+electioneering communications organization, or a candidate may 3957
5867+not knowingly accept or solicit directly or indirectly, a 3958
5868+contribution from a foreign national in connectio n with any 3959
5869+election held in this state. A person who violates this section 3960
5870+commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in 3961
5871+s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 3962
5872+ (e)1. A person who knowingly violates paragraph (b) 3963
5873+commits a misdemeanor of the first degree on a first offense and 3964
5874+commits a felony of the third degree on a second or subsequent 3965
5875+offense. The violator shall also be fined an amount equal to 3966
5876+three times the amount involved in the violation or $10,000, 3967
5877+whichever is greater. 3968
5878+ 2. A person who knowingly violates paragraph (c) commits a 3969
5879+misdemeanor of the first degree on a first offense and commits a 3970
5880+felony of the third degree on a second or subsequent offense. 3971
5881+The violator shall also be fined an amount equal to three times 3972
5882+the amount involved in the violation or $10,000 dollars, 3973
5883+whichever amount is greater, and is required to return the total 3974
5884+amount accepted in violation of this section to the division . 3975
5885+
5886+HB 1381 2025
5887+
5888+
5889+
5890+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5891+hb1381-00
5892+Page 160 of 166
5893+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5894+
5895+
5896+
5897+ Section 61. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 3976
5898+106.087, Florida Statutes , is amended to read: 3977
5899+ 106.087 Independent expenditures; contribution limits; 3978
5900+restrictions on political parties and political committees. — 3979
5901+ (1)(a) As a condition of receiving a rebate of filing fees 3980
5902+and party assessment funds pursuant to s. 99.061(1)(b) s. 3981
5903+99.061(2), s. 99.092(1), s. 99.103, or s. 103.121(1)(b), the 3982
5904+chair or treasurer of a state or county executive committee 3983
5905+shall take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation in writing. 3984
5906+During the qualifying period for state candidates and prior to 3985
5907+distribution of such funds, a printed copy of the oath or 3986
5908+affirmation shall be filed with the Secretary of State and shall 3987
5909+be substantially in the following form: 3988
5910+ 3989
5911+State of Florida 3990
5912+County of.... 3991
5913+ Before me, an officer authorized to administer oaths, 3992
5914+personally appeared ...(name)..., to me well known, who, being 3993
5915+sworn, says that he or she is the ...(title)... of the ...(name 3994
5916+of party)... ...(state or specified county)... executive 3995
5917+committee; that the executive committee has not made, either 3996
5918+directly or indirectly , an independent expenditure in support of 3997
5919+or opposition to a candidate or elected public official in the 3998
5920+prior 6 months; that the executive committee will not make, 3999
5921+either directly or indirectly, an independent expenditure in 4000
5922+
5923+HB 1381 2025
5924+
5925+
5926+
5927+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5928+hb1381-00
5929+Page 161 of 166
5930+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5931+
5932+
5933+
5934+support of or opposition to a candidate or elected public 4001
5935+official, through and including the upcoming general election; 4002
5936+and that the executive committee will not violate the 4003
5937+contribution limits applicable to candidates under s. 106.08(2), 4004
5938+Florida Statutes. 4005
5939+...(Signature of committee officer)... 4006
5940+...(Address)... 4007
5941+ 4008
5942+Sworn to and subscribed before me this .... day of ...., 4009
5943+...(year)..., at .... County, Florida. 4010
5944+ ...(Signature and title of officer administering oath)... 4011
5945+ Section 62. Section 113.01, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 4012
5946+ Section 63. Section 113.02, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 4013
5947+ Section 64. Section 113.03, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 4014
5948+ Section 65. Section 113.051, Florida Statutes, is amended 4015
5949+to read: 4016
5950+ 113.051 Grants and commissions. —All grants and commissions 4017
5951+shall be in the name and under the authority of the State of 4018
5952+Florida, sealed with the great seal of the state, signed by the 4019
5953+Governor, and countersigned by the Secretary of State. A 4020
5954+commission may not be issued by the Governor or attested to by 4021
5955+the Secretary of State or bear the deal of the state until the 4022
5956+oath of office is filed as required by s. 113.06. 4023
5957+ Section 66. Subsection (2) of section 117.01, Florida 4024
5958+Statutes, is amended to read: 4025
5959+
5960+HB 1381 2025
5961+
5962+
5963+
5964+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
5965+hb1381-00
5966+Page 162 of 166
5967+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5968+
5969+
5970+
5971+ 117.01 Appointment, application, suspension, revocation, 4026
5972+application fee, bond, and oath.— 4027
5973+ (2) The application for appointment shall be signed and 4028
5974+sworn to by the applicant and shall be accompanied by a fee of 4029
5975+$25, together with the $10 commission fee required by s. 113.01, 4030
5976+and a surcharge of $4, which $4 is appropriated to the Executive 4031
5977+Office of the Governor to be used to educate and assist notaries 4032
5978+public. The Executive Office of the Governor may contract with 4033
5979+private vendors to provide the services set forth in this 4034
5980+section. However, no commission fee shall be required f or the 4035
5981+issuance of a commission as a notary public to a veteran who 4036
5982+served during a period of wartime service, as defined in s. 4037
5983+1.01(14), and who has been rated by the United States Government 4038
5984+or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its 4039
5985+predecessor to have a disability rating of 50 percent or more; 4040
5986+such a disability is subject to verification by the Secretary of 4041
5987+State, who has authority to adopt reasonable procedures to 4042
5988+implement this act. The oath of office and notary bond required 4043
5989+by this section shall also accompany the application and shall 4044
5990+be in a form prescribed by the Department of State which shall 4045
5991+require, but not be limited to, the following information: full 4046
5992+name, residence address and telephone number, business address 4047
5993+and telephone number, date of birth, race, sex, social security 4048
5994+number, citizenship status, driver license number or the number 4049
5995+of other official state -issued identification, affidavit of good 4050
5996+
5997+HB 1381 2025
5998+
5999+
6000+
6001+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6002+hb1381-00
6003+Page 163 of 166
6004+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
6005+
6006+
6007+
6008+character from someone unrelated to the applicant who has known 4051
6009+the applicant for 1 year or more, a list of all professional 4052
6010+licenses and commissions issued by the state during the previous 4053
6011+10 years and a statement as to whether or not the applicant has 4054
6012+had such license or commission revoked or suspended, and a 4055
6013+statement as to whether or not the applicant has been convicted 4056
6014+of a felony, and, if there has been a conviction, a statement of 4057
6015+the nature of the felony and restoration of civil rights. The 4058
6016+applicant may not use a fictitious or assumed name other than a 4059
6017+nickname on an application for commission. The application shall 4060
6018+be maintained by the Department of State for the full term of a 4061
6019+notary commission. A notary public shall notify, in writing, the 4062
6020+Department of State of any change in his or her business 4063
6021+address, home telephone number, business telephone number, home 4064
6022+address, or criminal record within 60 days after such change. 4065
6023+The Governor may require any other information he or she deems 4066
6024+necessary for determining whether an applicant is eligible for a 4067
6025+notary public commission. Each applicant must swear or affirm on 4068
6026+the application that the information on the application is true 4069
6027+and correct. 4070
6028+ Section 67. Subsection (3) of section 117.225, Florida 4071
6029+Statutes, is amended to read: 4072
6030+ 117.225 Registration; qualifications. —A notary public, a 4073
6031+civil-law notary appointed under chapter 118, or a commissioner 4074
6032+of deeds appointed under part IV of chapter 721 may complete 4075
6033+
6034+HB 1381 2025
6035+
6036+
6037+
6038+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6039+hb1381-00
6040+Page 164 of 166
6041+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
6042+
6043+
6044+
6045+registration as an online notary public with the Department of 4076
6046+State by: 4077
6047+ (3) Paying a notary public registration fee as r equired by 4078
6048+s. 113.01. 4079
6049+ Section 68. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 4080
6050+117.295, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4081
6051+ 117.295 Standards for electronic and online notarization; 4082
6052+rulemaking authority. — 4083
6053+ (2) The Department of State shall: 4084
6054+ (b) Publish on its website a list containing each online 4085
6055+notary public, the online notary public's RON service providers 4086
6056+from January 1, 2022, and thereafter, the effective dates during 4087
6057+which the online notary public used each RON service provider, 4088
6058+as identified pursuant to ss. 117.225(4) and 117.265(5)(b) ss. 4089
6059+117.225(5) and 117.265(5)(b) , any secure repositories to which 4090
6060+the online notary public may have delegated his or her duties 4091
6061+pursuant to s. 117.245(4) from January 1, 2022, and thereafter, 4092
6062+and the effective dates of that delegation. 4093
6063+ Section 69. Section 322.034, Florida Statutes, is created 4094
6064+to read: 4095
6065+ 322.034 Legal status designation on state -issued driver 4096
6066+licenses and identification cards. — 4097
6067+ (1) A driver license or Florida identification card issued 4098
6068+new or as a renewal to a qualified application must include the 4099
6069+legal status of the licensee or card -holder as a United States 4100
6070+
6071+HB 1381 2025
6072+
6073+
6074+
6075+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6076+hb1381-00
6077+Page 165 of 166
6078+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
6079+
6080+
6081+
6082+citizen, an immigrant, or non -immigrant as last recorded in the 4101
6083+system at the time of issuance or renewal. 4102
6084+ (2) An applicant seeking to update his or her legal status 4103
6085+of immigrant or non-immigrant to a legal status of United States 4104
6086+citizen upon presentation of the requisite documentation must be 4105
6087+permitted to do so without paying a fee for renewal. 4106
6088+ (3) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 4107
6089+must be in compliance with this section no later than July 1, 4108
6090+2026. 4109
6091+ Section 70. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (8) of 4110
6092+section 895.02, Florida Statutes, to read: 4111
6093+ 895.02 Definitions. —As used in ss. 895.01 -895.08, the 4112
6094+term: 4113
6095+ (8) "Racketeering activity" means to commit, to attempt to 4114
6096+commit, to conspire to commit, or to solicit, coerce, or 4115
6097+intimidate another person to commit: 4116
6098+ (d) A violation of the Florida Electio n Code, relating to 4117
6099+irregularities or fraud involving voter registration, voting, or 4118
6100+candidate petitions. 4119
6101+ Section 71. Paragraph (t) of subsection (2) of section 4120
6102+1003.42, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 4121
6103+ 1003.42 Required instruction. — 4122
6104+ (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public 4123
6105+schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education 4124
6106+and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and 4125
6107+
6108+HB 1381 2025
6109+
6110+
6111+
6112+CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
6113+hb1381-00
6114+Page 166 of 166
6115+F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
6116+
6117+
6118+
6119+faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the 4126
6120+highest standards for prof essionalism and historical accuracy, 4127
6121+following the prescribed courses of study, and employing 4128
6122+approved methods of instruction, the following: 4129
6123+ (t) Civic and character education on the qualities and 4130
6124+responsibilities of patriotism and citizenship, including 4131
6125+kindness; respect for authority, life, liberty, and personal 4132
6126+property; honesty; charity; racial, ethnic, and religious 4133
6127+tolerance; and cooperation and, for grades 11 and 12, voting 4134
6128+using the uniform primary and general election ballot described 4135
6129+in s. 101.151(6) s. 101.151(9). 4136
6130+ 4137
6131+The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards 4138
6132+and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection. 4139
6133+Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the 4140
6134+recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor a nd that is 4141
6135+offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or 4142
6136+other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness 4143
6137+initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (u). 4144
6138+ Section 72. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 4145