FloridaHB 9912026House

Elections

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Faster results and clear recount triggers

The Elections Canvassing Commission meets at 9 a.m. on the 9th day after a primary and 9 a.m. on the 14th day after a general election, or 8 a.m. when the Legislature organizes. Within five days after state certification, counties can fix a typographical error that could change results and must send corrected returns within 24 hours. Supervisors must upload canvassed early and mail results by 7 p.m. the day before the election, report them within 30 minutes after polls close, and post updates at least every 45 minutes. Unofficial returns are due by noon on day 3 after a primary and day 4 after a general election. A machine recount is ordered when the unofficial margin is 0.5% or less. A manual recount of overvotes and undervotes is ordered at 0.25% or less, unless waived by candidates or the over/undervotes are too few to change the outcome. These rules start January 1, 2027.

More disclosure and faster candidate challenges

Candidates must add new disclosures to their oath starting January 1, 2027. They must note party membership over the last 365 days when it applies, say if they hold dual citizenship, and report fees or penalties over $250. Federal candidates must state if they held federal office and whether they traded stocks while in that office outside constrained trusts. All candidates must also file a written oath that they meet, or will meet, the office’s qualifications. If a qualifying check is returned, the candidate has 48 hours (not counting weekends or legal holidays) after notice to pay with a cashier’s check from campaign funds. The law also creates a fast court process to challenge a candidate’s eligibility and requires officials to fix ballots and give notice if a candidate is ruled ineligible.

More IDs and longer election office hours

Starting January 1, 2027, more photo IDs are accepted at the polls, including debit or credit cards, student IDs, retirement center IDs, neighborhood IDs, public assistance IDs, and some government employee IDs. Election workers still compare signatures. You cannot be challenged just because the ID shows a different address. Supervisor of elections offices must be open Monday through Friday at least eight hours a day, starting no later than 9 a.m. Offices may close on legal or approved holidays.

Paper ballots and voter verifiable counts

Official counts must come from scanning marked paper ballots or voter-verifiable paper, not from the voter interface device. Marksense ballots are the default unless a voter asks for an accessible device that prints a paper you can check. Ballots use thick paper and polling places may print ballots on demand, including provisional and mail ballots. Supervisors must test equipment using test ballots made from the actual ballots and the same paper. Machines must let you cast a ballot the scanner flags, but no vote is counted in contests you overvote or undervote. If you spoil or get a rejected ballot, you can get a new one, but no more than three ballots are furnished per voter. These changes take effect January 1, 2027.

New deadlines to fix mail and provisional ballots

If your mail ballot or envelope has an ID or signature problem, you can cure it. Send the signed affidavit and a copy of ID so the supervisor receives them by 5 p.m. on the second day after the election. Counties must accept cures by mail, delivery, fax, or email, and must accept Tier 1 photo IDs or, if none, Tier 2 address IDs. First-time mail voters with no ID on file get printed instructions, ID options, and deadlines, and some are exempt from sending ID (age 65+, disability, active-duty uniformed service and Merchant Marine, their spouses or dependents, and voters living outside the U.S.). The same 5 p.m. day-two cure and ID rules apply to provisional ballot affidavits. These rules begin January 1, 2027.

Stricter voter registration and citizenship checks

Starting January 1, 2027, Florida checks your driver license or ID and the last four of your Social Security number with DHSMV when you register online. If your name and birth date match and DHSMV has a citizenship document, your application goes to the supervisor with a digital signature; if no document is on file or DHSMV shows not a citizen, the system still sends it and alerts the supervisor. If DHSMV cannot verify you or you have no Florida ID, the system gives you a form to print, sign, and deliver. You must provide one listed document to prove U.S. citizenship, and proof of any legal name change if names differ. If your number or citizenship is not verified by book closing, you get a provisional ballot that counts only if verification finishes by the end of canvassing or you show proof by 5 p.m. on the second day after the election. Supervisors must check citizenship using government records, record the document type, and update addresses from DHSMV reports. DHSMV and the state share weekly data on citizenship, moves, deaths, and court records starting January 1, 2027. Licenses and ID cards for U.S. citizens show citizenship starting July 1, 2027, and new citizens who update on time get a free replacement. The registration form now includes a checkbox warning that false information is a third-degree felony.

Tougher election crime and money rules

Starting July 1, 2026, foreign nationals cannot give or spend money in state elections, and parties, committees, and candidates may not accept it. The law adds certain election crimes, including helping a noncitizen vote and some petition fraud, to the racketeering list. Felony Election Code cases must start within five years of the violation. These changes strengthen enforcement of election finance and fraud laws.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

State Affairs Committee
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 199 • No: 95

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 27 • No: 12

House vote • 3/12/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 77 • No: 28

Senate vote • 3/11/2026