New Florida law aims to bolster voter registration integrity

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Thursday increasing voter registration integrity in Florida.

HB 135 prohibits the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles from changing an individual’s party affiliation without the person’s consent in writing.

After verifying the voter registration information and receiving the individual’s electronic signature, the bill requires the department to provide the applicant with a printed receipt detailing the submitted voter registration information and documented change of party affiliation.

The bill requires the department to also record when a person chooses not to disclose his or her voter registration status.

DeSantis has made an effort throughout his time as governor to bolster election integrity and security so that Floridians feel assured that votes are properly counted and results are accurate.

One recent example includes the creation of the governor’s Office of Election Crimes and Security.

The state first began requiring that voters provide an ID in order to vote in 1977. 13 states in the U.S. require no document or form of identification to vote. Those states include California, New York, Illinois and Massachusetts.

Reps. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-Highland Beach, and Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, sponsored the bill. Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, filed the Senate companion bill.

The bill is set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.