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FloridaHB 912026House

Candidate Qualification

Sponsored By: Allison Tant (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationGovernment Operations SubcommitteeState Affairs CommitteeRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Stricter party and name rules for candidates

Florida candidates seeking a party nomination must have been registered with that party for at least 365 consecutive days before qualifying begins. Candidates running without a party must have been registered without party affiliation throughout that period, with no party membership. The clock runs back from the start of qualifying, not the general election. Candidates must confirm these facts in their oath. Party candidates must also name their party and confirm payment of any assessment from its executive committee. Both groups must confirm no legal name-change petition during those 365 days; divorce, adoption, and marriage-certificate changes are exempt. These are mandatory eligibility rules, enforceable only through this law’s challenge process. A qualified candidate or party with qualified candidates in the same race can challenge compliance in circuit court. The case must be filed in the county where the qualifying officer is headquartered. A final court order finding noncompliance bars qualification and ballot placement. The law takes effect upon becoming law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Allison Tant

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Government Operations Subcommittee

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 150 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 2/25/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 113 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2026-25; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 991 (Ch. 2026-26)

    4/2/2026

  2. Approved by Governor

    4/1/2026

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    3/31/2026

  4. Ordered enrolled

    2/26/2026House

  5. In Messages

    2/26/2026House

  6. Immediately certified -SJ 463

    2/26/2026Senate

  7. CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 454

    2/26/2026Senate

  8. Read 3rd time -SJ 454

    2/26/2026Senate

  9. Read 2nd time -SJ 454

    2/26/2026Senate

  10. Substituted for CS/SB 62 -SJ 454

    2/26/2026Senate

  11. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    2/26/2026Senate

  12. Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 454

    2/26/2026Senate

  13. Received

    2/25/2026Senate

  14. Referred to Rules

    2/25/2026Senate

  15. In Messages

    2/25/2026Senate

  16. CS passed as amended; YEAS 113, NAYS 0

    2/25/2026House

  17. Read 3rd time

    2/25/2026House

  18. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    2/25/2026House

  19. Amendment 384943 superseded by substitute

    2/25/2026House

  20. Amendment 383023 adopted

    2/25/2026House

  21. Read 2nd time

    2/25/2026House

  22. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)

    2/19/2026House

  23. Added to Second Reading Calendar

    2/10/2026House

  24. Bill released to House Calendar

    2/10/2026House

  25. Reported out of State Affairs Committee

    2/10/2026House

Bill Text

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