Florida Senate - 2019 SB 460
By Senator Gibson
6-00600-19 2019460__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to elections; amending s. 101.043,
3 F.S.; removing the requirement that identification
4 presented by an elector at the polls contain the
5 elector’s signature; prohibiting an election clerk or
6 inspector from comparing the elector’s signatures on
7 the precinct register and the provided form of
8 identification; amending s. 101.151, F.S.; revising
9 requirements for Department of State rules regarding
10 ballot layout; repealing s. 101.49, F.S., relating to
11 procedures of election officers when an elector’s
12 signatures differ; amending s. 101.5608, F.S.;
13 conforming a provision to changes made by the act;
14 providing an effective date.
15
16 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
17
18 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
19 101.043, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
20 101.043 Identification required at polls.—
21 (1)
22 (b) If the picture identification does not contain the
23 signature of the elector, an additional identification that
24 provides the elector’s signature shall be required. The address
25 appearing on the identification presented by the elector may not
26 be used as the basis to confirm an elector’s legal residence or
27 otherwise challenge an elector’s legal residence. The elector
28 shall sign his or her name in the space provided on the precinct
29 register or on an electronic device provided for recording the
30 elector’s signature. The clerk or inspector shall compare the
31 signature with that on the identification provided by the
32 elector and enter his or her initials in the space provided on
33 the precinct register or on an electronic device provided for
34 that purpose after the elector signs his or her name and allow
35 the elector to vote if the clerk or inspector is satisfied as to
36 the identity of the elector. The clerk or inspector may not
37 compare the elector’s signature on the precinct register or the
38 electronic device with that on the identification provided by
39 the elector and may not use a discrepancy between the two
40 signatures as a basis for challenging the elector’s eligibility
41 to vote.
42 Section 2. Subsection (9) of section 101.151, Florida
43 Statutes, is amended to read:
44 101.151 Specifications for ballots.—
45 (9)(a) The Department of State shall adopt rules
46 prescribing a uniform primary and general election ballot for
47 each certified voting system. The rules must shall incorporate
48 the requirements set forth in this section and shall prescribe
49 additional matters and forms that include, without limitation:
50 1. Clear and unambiguous ballot instructions and
51 directions;
52 2. Individual race layout; and
53 3. Overall ballot layout.
54 (b) Additionally, the department rules must: shall
55 1. Require that the ballot title and the ballot
56 instructions and directions be centered across the top of the
57 first page of a marksense ballot and on the first screen of a
58 touchscreen ballot and not appear aligned to the left on the
59 page or column of the ballot.
60 2. Graphically depict a sample uniform primary and general
61 election ballot form for each certified voting system.
62 Section 3. Section 101.49, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
63 Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 101.5608, Florida
64 Statutes, is amended to read:
65 101.5608 Voting by electronic or electromechanical method;
66 procedures.—
67 (1) Each elector desiring to vote shall be identified to
68 the clerk or inspector of the election as a duly qualified
69 elector of such election and shall sign his or her name on the
70 precinct register or other form or device provided by the
71 supervisor. The inspector shall compare the signature with the
72 signature on the identification provided by the elector. If the
73 inspector is reasonably sure that the person is entitled to
74 vote, the inspector shall provide the person with a ballot.
75 Section 5. This act shall take effect July 1, 2019.