Florida Senate - 2025                                    SB 1414
       
       
        
       By Senator Ingoglia
       
       
       
       
       
       11-01100B-25                                          20251414__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to elections; amending s. 15.21, F.S.;
    3         conforming a cross-reference; amending s. 16.061,
    4         F.S.; revising the criteria that the Attorney General
    5         uses when petitioning the Supreme Court for an
    6         advisory opinion related to a proposed revision or
    7         amendment to the State Constitution; amending s.
    8         97.012, F.S.; revising a provision requiring that the
    9         Secretary of State provide certain mandatory signature
   10         matching training; amending s. 97.021, F.S.; deleting
   11         the definition of the term “petition circulator”;
   12         revising definitions; amending s. 97.022, F.S.;
   13         revising the authority and responsibilities of the
   14         Office of Election Crimes and Security; authorizing
   15         the office to issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces
   16         tecum to bring any person before certain
   17         representatives and require the production of
   18         specified records; authorizing the office to file a
   19         complaint in circuit court to enforce such subpoenas;
   20         requiring the court to direct the witness to comply
   21         with the subpoena or punish the witness accordingly;
   22         providing an exception; requiring sheriffs to serve
   23         and execute all process associated with such action;
   24         requiring the office to pay the sheriffs for such
   25         service; authorizing the office to adopt rules;
   26         creating s. 97.027, F.S.; requiring specified persons
   27         to undergo signature matching training; requiring the
   28         Department of State to adopt certain rules; amending
   29         s. 97.051, F.S.; revising the oath a person
   30         registering to vote must subscribe to; amending s.
   31         97.0525, F.S.; requiring that the online voter
   32         registration system generate a certain notice under a
   33         specified circumstance; amending s. 97.053, F.S.;
   34         requiring supervisors of elections to update a voter’s
   35         record if provided specified information by the
   36         applicant after registration; providing that such
   37         updates are retroactive to the date the application
   38         was received; requiring an applicant to provide
   39         evidence to the supervisor sufficient to prove the
   40         applicant’s legal status as a United States citizen
   41         under specified circumstances; requiring the
   42         supervisor to place such applicant on the voter rolls
   43         under a specified circumstance; authorizing an
   44         applicant that has not provided such evidence to vote
   45         a provisional ballot; providing that such ballot may
   46         be counted only if the applicant can verify his or her
   47         legal status within a specified timeframe; revising
   48         the timeframe after receipt in which a voter
   49         registration official must enter the voter
   50         registration applications into the system; amending s.
   51         97.057, F.S.; requiring the Department of State to
   52         provide certain information to the Department of
   53         Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; requiring the
   54         Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to
   55         assist the Department of State with identifying
   56         changes in residential addresses in accordance with a
   57         specified provision; amending s. 97.0575, F.S.;
   58         requiring third party voter registration organizations
   59         to deliver voter registration applications to the
   60         supervisor of the county, rather than the division, in
   61         which the voter resides under specified circumstances;
   62         providing civil penalties; amending s. 97.1031, F.S.;
   63         deleting a provision authorizing a voter to change his
   64         or her address by submitting other signed written
   65         notice; revising the timeframe in which a voter
   66         registration official must make necessary changes to a
   67         voter’s records to within 7 days after receipt;
   68         amending s. 98.015, F.S.; requiring that the main and
   69         permanent branch offices of the supervisor be open for
   70         specified times and days; requiring supervisors to
   71         provide a list identifying nonresidential addresses in
   72         a specified manner; amending s. 98.045, F.S.;
   73         requiring supervisors to make a certain determination
   74         within a specified timeframe related to a voter
   75         registration applicant who was previously removed for
   76         ineligibility and to follow specified procedures to
   77         notify the applicant, if applicable; requiring
   78         supervisors to remove the name of a voter who
   79         subsequently registers in another state to vote within
   80         a specified timeframe of receipt of such information;
   81         amending s. 98.065, F.S.; authorizing supervisors to
   82         use certain credible and reliable sources of
   83         commercially available data to compare certain records
   84         and conduct address list maintenance; amending s.
   85         98.075, F.S.; authorizing the Department of State to
   86         enter into memorandums of understanding with other
   87         state governments and share confidential and exempt
   88         information with such governments; requiring that such
   89         governments maintain the confidentiality of such
   90         information; requiring the Department of Highway
   91         Safety and Motor Vehicles to provide driver license
   92         and Florida identification card information to such
   93         governments; requiring supervisors to remove the name
   94         of a deceased voter under specified circumstances;
   95         creating s. 98.094, F.S.; requiring that lists of
   96         registered voters be provided to federal courts for a
   97         specified purpose under a certain condition; requiring
   98         federal jury coordinators to prepare or cause to be
   99         prepared a certain list; requiring that such list be
  100         sent to the Division of Elections periodically;
  101         requiring that jury coordinators provide the division
  102         with specified information about each disqualified
  103         juror; requiring the supervisor to use such list to
  104         conduct list maintenance or eligibility maintenance
  105         procedures; amending s. 98.212, F.S.; requiring
  106         supervisors to provide information as may be requested
  107         by the Department of State and to the Legislature;
  108         authorizing the department to adopt rules; amending s.
  109         99.012, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; amending
  110         s. 99.021, F.S.; authorizing qualified candidates and
  111         political parties with such candidates to challenge
  112         another candidate’s compliance with a specified oath
  113         in a certain circuit court; prohibiting a person from
  114         qualifying as a candidate and appearing on the ballot
  115         if a court order becomes final and makes certain
  116         determinations; amending s. 99.061, F.S.; revising the
  117         periods in which a person may qualify as a candidate;
  118         revising the qualifying period for federal offices
  119         following reapportionment; authorizing candidates for
  120         constitutional office to file a certain receipt or
  121         verification in lieu of filing a full and public
  122         disclosure of financial interests and all other
  123         candidates to instead file a certain receipt or
  124         verification of filing a statement of financial
  125         interests for qualifying only; requiring the
  126         department to process qualifying papers within a
  127         specified timeframe; providing that a cashier’s check
  128         purchased from the candidate’s campaign account may be
  129         used to pay the qualifying fee; specifying that a
  130         candidate has a specified timeframe to pay the
  131         qualifying fee under specified circumstances;
  132         specifying that a certain form does not need to be re
  133         submitted under certain circumstances; amending s.
  134         99.092, F.S.; requiring the Division of Elections to
  135         create a uniform petition form for candidates to
  136         gather signatures for a candidate petition; requiring
  137         that the form solicit specified information; requiring
  138         that the form include a certain notice; amending s.
  139         99.095, F.S.; authorizing a supervisor of elections to
  140         verify certain signatures only if a certain petition
  141         form is used; amending s. 99.097, F.S.; conforming a
  142         cross-reference; requiring that a signature on a
  143         petition be verified if the voter is active;
  144         prohibiting a supervisor from updating a voter’s
  145         address on file under a certain circumstance;
  146         authorizing a candidate in a candidate contest to
  147         contest signature verification of his or her opponent
  148         in such contest, and the chairperson of the political
  149         committee that sponsors or the chairperson of a
  150         political committee that opposes an issue in an issue
  151         contest to contest signature verification of such
  152         issue; revising the procedures to contest signature
  153         verifications; amending s. 100.191, F.S.; providing
  154         that all laws that apply to primary and general
  155         elections apply to special primary and special
  156         elections; requiring the Elections Canvassing
  157         Commission to certify results in accordance with a
  158         specified provision; amending s. 100.371, F.S.;
  159         requiring sponsors of an initiative amendment to
  160         register as political committees before circulating
  161         any initiative petition forms to voters; deleting
  162         obsolete language; requiring the division to assign
  163         initiative petitions a petition number and create a
  164         certain form; providing requirements for such form;
  165         requiring that the form contain a certain notice;
  166         deleting provisions relating to citizen challenges of
  167         petition circulator registration; deleting provisions
  168         relating to applications for registration of a
  169         petition circulator; requiring the division to adopt
  170         rules; deleting provisions requiring certain sponsors
  171         to submit signed and dated forms; specifying
  172         conditions for signatures on a form to be verified as
  173         valid by a supervisor; requiring the supervisor to
  174         retain signed petition forms instead of signature
  175         forms in a specified manner; requiring the supervisor
  176         to transmit copies of such signed petition forms
  177         promptly to the division upon request; requiring the
  178         supervisors of elections to post the actual cost of
  179         signature verification on their websites annually on a
  180         specified date; specifying that such costs include
  181         costs related to certain actions; requiring the
  182         Secretary of State to rescind a certificate of ballot
  183         position under specified conditions; authorizing any
  184         voter to challenge the issuance of certificates of
  185         ballot position; providing the process for such
  186         challenges; requiring the Secretary of State to submit
  187         a copy of initiative petitions to a specified panel;
  188         requiring the panel to complete a financial impact
  189         statement; requiring the panel to submit such
  190         statement to the Secretary of State; providing that
  191         the panel is not required to complete the statement
  192         under specified circumstances; deleting obsolete
  193         language; requiring that meetings of the panel be open
  194         to the public; requiring that the panel submit the
  195         financial impact statement to the Secretary of State
  196         immediately; authorizing the panel to redraft the
  197         statement within a specified timeframe; requiring the
  198         disclosure of certain material legal effects;
  199         conforming cross-references; requiring the panel to
  200         draft a certain initiative financial information
  201         statement; requiring the Secretary of State to make
  202         such statement available on his or her website;
  203         creating s. 100.373, F.S.; defining the term
  204         “circulated petition form”; authorizing voters to
  205         submit signed circulated petition forms at any office
  206         of the supervisor of elections in the county in which
  207         the voter is registered to vote; providing that a
  208         circulated petition form is valid only if the
  209         supervisor verifies specified information; requiring a
  210         voter to present a certain current and valid form of
  211         picture identification to the supervisor; requiring
  212         the supervisor to deem the petition submitted if the
  213         information on such identification matches the form
  214         and the person matches the identification produced;
  215         requiring supervisors to verify that the voter’s
  216         signature on the circulated petition form matches the
  217         voter’s signature on file in the Florida Voter
  218         Registration System; creating s. 100.375, F.S.;
  219         defining the term “requested petition form”; requiring
  220         supervisors to accept requests for a petition form
  221         from a voter or, if instructed, the voter’s immediate
  222         family or legal guardian; providing that requests may
  223         be made in person, in writing, by telephone, or
  224         through the supervisor’s website; requiring
  225         supervisors to cancel requests under specified
  226         conditions; providing that requests for petition forms
  227         may be mailed to certain addresses; requiring the
  228         voter, or his or her designee, to provide certain
  229         information for in-person or telephonic requests;
  230         requiring that requests be in writing if the petition
  231         form is to be mailed to an address other than one on
  232         file; providing requirements for such written
  233         requests; requiring the division to create a uniform
  234         application to request petition forms; requiring that
  235         such applications solicit and require specified
  236         information; defining the term “immediate family”;
  237         requiring the supervisor to record certain information
  238         and provide it in a specified format; defining the
  239         term “petition deadline”; requiring the supervisor to
  240         mail petition forms within specified timeframes;
  241         providing a deadline to request petition forms;
  242         requiring supervisors to provide a petition form by
  243         one of the means specified; prohibiting persons from
  244         picking up more than a specified number of petition
  245         forms; providing exceptions; requiring the supervisor
  246         to mail a certain notice in a specified circumstance;
  247         providing that only the materials necessary to submit
  248         a petition form be mailed or delivered; prohibiting a
  249         supervisor from sending a petition form to someone who
  250         did not request one; requiring the supervisor to
  251         enclose a certain mailing envelope with petition
  252         forms; requiring that such envelopes contain a certain
  253         voter’s certificate; specifying the placement of the
  254         voter’s certificate on the envelope; requiring that
  255         certain instructions be enclosed with each petition;
  256         providing construction; providing legislative intent;
  257         requiring the Department of State to work with
  258         specified entitles to develop and implement procedures
  259         and technologies to make petition forms available in
  260         alternative formats; providing that requested petition
  261         forms are only valid if the supervisor verifies
  262         certain information; prohibiting an otherwise valid
  263         petition from being invalidated due to the voter’s
  264         death after submission of such form; creating s.
  265         100.377, F.S.; providing that initiative petition
  266         forms approved by the Secretary of State may continue
  267         to be circulated; providing that certain initiative
  268         petitions or candidate petitions may be kept and
  269         counted under specified conditions; providing
  270         applicability; amending s. 101.043, F.S.; revising the
  271         forms of current and valid picture identifications
  272         that a voter must provide upon entering the polling
  273         place; amending s. 101.048, F.S.; revising the
  274         instructions that are included with cure affidavits to
  275         conform to changes made by the act; amending s.
  276         101.111, F.S.; authorizing registered voters or
  277         election officials of a county acting in their
  278         official capacity to challenge at the polls or during
  279         early voting the right of a person to vote in the
  280         county; requiring separate oaths for each challenge;
  281         revising the oath required of a person entering
  282         challenges; providing the oath an election official
  283         must use if asserting the ineligibility of a voter;
  284         requiring that the oath be delivered to the clerk or
  285         inspector under specified circumstances; requiring
  286         such clerk or inspector to deliver such oath
  287         immediately to the challenged person; revising a
  288         provision providing that such person may cast a
  289         provisional ballot; deleting an exception to casting
  290         such provisional ballot; authorizing challenges to be
  291         made in advance within a specified timeframe before an
  292         election by delivering an oath to the supervisor’s
  293         office; requiring the supervisor to notify, as soon as
  294         practicable, a challenged voter by specified means;
  295         requiring that the oath be sent to early voting sites
  296         or the voter’s precinct in the event such voter
  297         appears in person to vote; requiring that certain
  298         ballots be canvassed as provisional ballots; requiring
  299         that certain persons be allowed to execute a change of
  300         legal residence to be able to vote a regular ballot;
  301         requiring that such persons be allowed to vote a
  302         regular ballot if the change of legal residence is
  303         properly registered; requiring that certain voters be
  304         directed to the proper precinct to vote; providing
  305         that certain voters are required to vote a provisional
  306         ballot; amending s. 101.131, F.S.; requiring that poll
  307         watchers be qualified and registered voters of the
  308         county in which they serve and complete a required
  309         training; requiring the Department of State to provide
  310         such training; requiring that poll watchers be allowed
  311         to observe and report on irregularities in the conduct
  312         of the election and enter and watch polls under a
  313         specified condition; prohibiting such poll watchers
  314         from interfering with the conduct of the election;
  315         requiring that the form that designates poll watchers
  316         include specified information; requiring that poll
  317         watchers be given identification badges that include
  318         certain information; authorizing the department to
  319         adopt rules; amending s. 101.151, F.S.; specifying
  320         that, in presidential preference primaries only, the
  321         office title may be placed above the list of names on
  322         the ballot for that office; specifying that, in a
  323         primary election only, the office title of Governor
  324         shall be placed above the names of the candidates for
  325         such office regardless of whether a Lieutenant
  326         Governor is designated; conforming provisions to
  327         changes made by the act; amending s. 101.161, F.S.;
  328         requiring that constitutional amendments define all
  329         terms of art and describe newly created rights,
  330         requirements, prohibitions, and authorizations;
  331         amending the inclusions on the ballot for every
  332         constitutional amendment proposed by initiative to
  333         conform to changes made by the act; conforming a
  334         cross-reference; amending s. 101.20, F.S.; deleting
  335         provisions requiring that sample ballots be furnished
  336         to each polling place, in a specified form, be open to
  337         inspection by all electors, and a sufficient number of
  338         reduced-size ballots to be given out to electors;
  339         requiring the supervisor to publish sample ballots in
  340         a certain newspaper, through the supervisor’s website,
  341         or on the county’s website; requiring that such
  342         publication occur within a specified timeframe;
  343         authorizing the supervisor to send sample ballots to
  344         registered voters by specified means; requiring sample
  345         ballots to be available in all polling places for
  346         specified purpose; authorizing a sample ballot to be
  347         in the format of an official ballot but must indicate
  348         it is a sample; amending s. 101.252, F.S.; providing
  349         applicability; creating s. 101.2521, F.S.; requiring
  350         that candidates be placed on the general ballot for
  351         certain elections held under specified circumstances;
  352         amending s. 101.5606, F.S.; conforming provisions to
  353         changes made by the act; amending s. 101.56075, F.S.;
  354         requiring that locations where voting takes place have
  355         certain voting machines available; specifying the
  356         default voting method; requiring that a certain device
  357         be provided if requested by a voter; amending s.
  358         101.5608, F.S.; requiring the inspector to follow
  359         specified procedures before allowing a person to vote
  360         in specified circumstances; conforming provisions to
  361         changes made by the act; amending s. 101.5612, F.S.;
  362         conforming provisions to changes made by the act;
  363         amending s. 101.5614, F.S.; requiring that after a
  364         defective ballot is duplicated, both ballots be placed
  365         in an certain envelope and presented to the canvassing
  366         board for review; amending s. 101.572, F.S.;
  367         authorizing certain candidates, political party
  368         officials, and political committee officials, or any
  369         designee thereof, to object to the canvassing board’s
  370         determination of voter intent; amending s. 101.591,
  371         F.S.; deleting provisions instructing how to perform a
  372         manual audit; requiring the county canvassing board or
  373         local board responsible for certifying an election to
  374         conduct an independent vote validation of voting
  375         systems used in all precincts; providing the procedure
  376         for such independent vote validation; deleting
  377         provisions related to independent audits; requiring
  378         that the canvassing board publish certain notice on
  379         the county’s website, on the supervisor’s website, or
  380         in certain newspapers; requiring that such vote
  381         validation be completed before the certification of
  382         the election; requiring the county canvassing board or
  383         local board responsible for the election to provide a
  384         certain consolidated report; providing the
  385         requirements of such report; deleting a provision that
  386         allowed a manual recount to take the place of a
  387         certain audit; amending s. 101.5911, F.S.; requiring
  388         the department to adopt certain rules; conforming
  389         provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
  390         101.595, F.S.; requiring the department to submit the
  391         analysis of a certain report as part of a specified
  392         consolidated report to the Governor and the
  393         Legislature annually by a specified date; amending s.
  394         101.6104, F.S.; making technical changes; amending s.
  395         101.62, F.S.; requiring a voter to initiate the
  396         request for a vote-by-mail ballot from the supervisor;
  397         requiring such voter to use the paper or online
  398         version of the uniform statewide application to make a
  399         written request for a vote-by-mail ballot; requiring
  400         the supervisor to record certain information after
  401         receiving such request; revising the timeframes during
  402         which vote-by-mail ballots are provided to voters;
  403         amending s. 101.64, F.S.; providing that the
  404         supervisor may include a secrecy envelope or privacy
  405         sleeve with vote-by-mail ballots; amending s. 101.657,
  406         F.S.; authorizing, rather than requiring, that early
  407         voting be provided by a supervisor; revising the
  408         number of early voting sites the supervisor may
  409         designate per election area; authorizing the
  410         supervisor to obtain a waiver for the number of sites
  411         designated as early voting sites under a specified
  412         circumstance; deleting authorization for a supervisor
  413         to provide early voting in excess of what is required;
  414         amending s. 101.68, F.S.; conforming provisions to
  415         changes made by the act; amending s. 101.69, F.S.;
  416         deleting a requirement that secure ballot intake
  417         stations be located at each permanent branch that
  418         meets certain criteria; requiring that such intake
  419         stations be located at each designated early voting
  420         site; requiring that all secure ballot intake stations
  421         be continuously monitored; requiring the department to
  422         adopt rules; amending s. 101.6921, F.S.; conforming
  423         provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
  424         101.6923, F.S.; revising the instructions sent to
  425         certain first-time voters to conform to changes made
  426         by the act; amending s. 101.6952, F.S.; providing that
  427         if a ballot is transmitted via facsimile it must be
  428         received by a specified time on election day; amending
  429         s. 101.694, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference;
  430         amending s. 101.697, F.S.; requiring the department to
  431         adopt certain rules related to electronic transmission
  432         of election materials to specified voters; amending s.
  433         101.698, F.S.; authorizing the department to adopt
  434         emergency rules in specified circumstances; amending
  435         s. 102.031, F.S.; prohibiting videography and other
  436         visual and audio recording in polling rooms or early
  437         voting areas; providing an exception; amending s.
  438         102.141, F.S.; revising the composition of county
  439         canvassing boards; prohibiting persons who publicly
  440         endorse or donate to candidates or are active
  441         participants endorsing or opposing a public measure
  442         from serving on county canvassing boards; requiring
  443         members of a county canvassing board and all clerical
  444         help to wear, at specified times, identification
  445         badges in a certain manner and which include specified
  446         information; requiring a county canvassing board to
  447         retain the county attorney for any legal
  448         representation; authorizing such board to retain
  449         outside legal counsel under specified conditions;
  450         specifying that the deadline by which supervisors
  451         shall upload preliminary results is in local time;
  452         requiring the supervisor on behalf of the county
  453         canvassing board to report all early voting and vote
  454         by-mail tabulations to the department; requiring
  455         counties to conduct a machine vote validation process
  456         for a certain purpose after unofficial results are
  457         reported; requiring that such process be completed
  458         within a specified timeframe; requiring the county
  459         canvassing board to take specified actions after
  460         making a certain determination; requiring the county
  461         canvassing board to conduct manual reviews under
  462         specified circumstances; providing requirements for
  463         such review; deleting provisions related to recounts
  464         by the county canvassing board; requiring the county
  465         canvassing board to publish notice containing manual
  466         review information by specified means; providing that
  467         such reviews are open to the public; requiring the
  468         county canvassing board to submit to the department
  469         certain forms containing a vote validation report;
  470         providing requirements for such report; requiring the
  471         county canvassing board to conduct manual reviews in
  472         accordance with specified provisions; requiring the
  473         department to adopt rules; creating s. 102.143, F.S.;
  474         requiring the supervisor to file a report with the
  475         division on the conduct on the election within a
  476         specified timeframe; providing requirements for the
  477         report; requiring the supervisor to notify the
  478         Division of Elections of new information and file an
  479         amended report including such information, if
  480         applicable, within a specified timeframe; requiring
  481         the division to maintain such reports on file and make
  482         them available for public inspection; requiring the
  483         division to review the reports for a specified
  484         purpose; providing that the report is part of a
  485         certain consolidated report submitted by the
  486         department by a specified date each year following a
  487         general election; amending s. 102.166, F.S.; requiring
  488         manual reviews of overvotes and undervotes unless
  489         certain conditions exist; requiring that overvotes and
  490         undervotes be identified and sorted during the vote
  491         validation process; providing that the secretary is
  492         responsible for ordering such review in federal,
  493         state, or multicounty races and the county canvassing
  494         board, or local board responsible for certifying the
  495         election, is responsible for ordering such reviews in
  496         all other races; authorizing political parties to
  497         designate a certain expert to be allowed in the
  498         central counting room while tests are being performed;
  499         prohibiting such person from interfering with the
  500         normal operation of the canvassing board; conforming a
  501         cross-reference; requiring the department to adopt
  502         certain rules; amending s. 103.021, F.S.; revising the
  503         deadline by which political parties must submit their
  504         list of presidential electors to the Governor;
  505         requiring the state executive committees of the
  506         political parties to certify to the Governor certain
  507         information relating to such electors within a
  508         specified timeframe; providing requirements for such
  509         certification; revising the deadline by which the
  510         Governor certifies political party submissions to the
  511         Department of State; requiring candidates to submit
  512         certain information concerning presidential electors
  513         to the department before a specified date and time;
  514         amending s. 103.121, F.S.; requiring that the funds
  515         and certain records of state executive committees be
  516         audited by a certified public accountant; amending s.
  517         104.045, F.S.; providing criminal penalties for a
  518         person who submits a petition form or refrains from
  519         submitting a petition form for any initiative or
  520         candidate petition due to a corrupt offer or the
  521         acceptance of a pecuniary or other benefit; amending
  522         s. 104.047, F.S.; prohibiting specified entities from
  523         further forwarding official vote-by-mail ballots or
  524         envelopes; providing criminal penalties; providing
  525         criminal penalties for persons who physically collect
  526         requests for vote-by-mail ballots and copies or
  527         retains the requests, or copies and retains the
  528         voter’s personal information; repealing s. 104.186,
  529         F.S., relating to violations concerning initiative
  530         petitions; amending s. 104.187, F.S.; conforming a
  531         cross-reference; repealing s. 105.09, F.S., relating
  532         to political activity in behalf of a candidate for
  533         judicial office limited; amending s. 106.021, F.S.;
  534         prohibiting a candidate from appointing himself,
  535         herself, or immediate family as the treasurer of the
  536         campaign; amending s. 106.07, F.S.; requiring a
  537         candidate to file an affidavit with the officer before
  538         whom the candidate is required to qualify under
  539         specified circumstances within a specified timeframe;
  540         deeming filings as timely filed if filed in a certain
  541         manner; providing that such affidavits are open to
  542         public inspection; providing construction; providing a
  543         civil penalty for candidates who file affidavits late;
  544         amending s. 106.08, F.S.; revising the definition of
  545         the term “foreign national”; revising the
  546         contributions or expenditures that a foreign national
  547         is prohibited from making or offering to make;
  548         prohibiting political parties, political committees,
  549         committees associated with ballot issues or questions,
  550         electioneering communications organizations, and
  551         candidates from knowingly accepting contributions from
  552         foreign nationals; providing criminal penalties;
  553         providing for enhancement of criminal penalties on
  554         subsequent offenses; providing civil penalties;
  555         amending s. 106.087, F.S.; conforming a cross
  556         reference; amending s. 106.19, F.S.; deleting a
  557         provision relating to violations by political
  558         committees for using petition circulators; repealing
  559         s. 113.01, F.S., relating to fees for commissions
  560         issued by Governor; repealing s. 113.02, F.S.,
  561         relating to fees to be paid before commissions issued;
  562         repealing s. 113.03, F.S., relating to disposition of
  563         certain proceeds; amending s. 113.051, F.S.;
  564         prohibiting the issuance of certain commissions until
  565         the oath of office is filed; amending s. 212.055,
  566         F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; creating s.
  567         322.034, F.S.; requiring that driver licenses and
  568         Florida identification cards include certain
  569         information; providing that applicants providing
  570         certain documentation may not be charged a fee for
  571         renewal; requiring that the Department of Highway
  572         Safety and Motor Vehicles comply with specified
  573         provisions by a specified date; amending s. 895.02,
  574         F.S.; revising the definition of “racketeering
  575         activity” to include violations of the Florida
  576         Election Code for the purposes of providing criminal
  577         penalties; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; conforming a
  578         cross-reference; providing effective dates.
  579          
  580  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  581  
  582         Section 1. Effective upon becoming a law, subsection (2) of
  583  section 15.21, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  584         15.21 Initiative petitions; s. 3, Art. XI, State
  585  Constitution.—
  586         (2) If the Secretary of State has submitted an initiative
  587  petition to the Attorney General pursuant to subsection (1) but
  588  the validity of the signatures for such initiative petition has
  589  expired pursuant to s. 100.371(6)(a) s. 100.371(11)(a) before
  590  securing ballot placement, the Secretary of State must promptly
  591  notify the Attorney General. The Secretary of State may resubmit
  592  the initiative petition to the Attorney General if the
  593  initiative petition is later circulated for placement on the
  594  ballot of a subsequent general election and the criteria under
  595  subsection (1) are satisfied.
  596         Section 2. Effective upon becoming a law, subsection (1) of
  597  section 16.061, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  598         16.061 Initiative petitions.—
  599         (1) The Attorney General shall, within 30 days after
  600  receipt of a proposed revision or amendment to the State
  601  Constitution by initiative petition from the Secretary of State,
  602  petition the Supreme Court, requesting an advisory opinion
  603  regarding the compliance of the text of the proposed amendment
  604  or revision with s. 2, Art. I and s. 3, Art. XI of the State
  605  Constitution, whether the proposed amendment is facially invalid
  606  under the United States Constitution, the compliance of the text
  607  of the proposed constitutional amendment or revision with s.
  608  101.161, and the compliance of the proposed ballot title and
  609  substance with s. 101.161. The petition may enumerate any
  610  specific factual issues that the Attorney General believes would
  611  require a judicial determination.
  612         Section 3. Subsection (17) of section 97.012, Florida
  613  Statutes, is amended to read:
  614         97.012 Secretary of State as chief election officer.—The
  615  Secretary of State is the chief election officer of the state,
  616  and it is his or her responsibility to:
  617         (17) Provide mandatory formal signature matching training
  618  as provided by law to supervisors of elections and county
  619  canvassing board members. Any person whose duties require
  620  verification of signatures must undergo signature matching
  621  training. The department shall adopt rules governing signature
  622  matching procedures and training.
  623         Section 4. Effective upon becoming a law, subsection (28)
  624  of section 97.021, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  625         97.021 Definitions.—For the purposes of this code, except
  626  where the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term:
  627         (28) “Petition circulator” means an entity or individual
  628  who collects signatures for compensation for the purpose of
  629  qualifying a proposed constitutional amendment for ballot
  630  placement.
  631         Section 5. Subsections (6), (43), (44), and (47) of section
  632  97.021, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act, are amended to
  633  read:
  634         97.021 Definitions.—For the purposes of this code, except
  635  where the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term:
  636         (6) “Ballot” or “official ballot” means a printed sheet of
  637  paper containing contests including offices and candidates,
  638  constitutional amendments, and other public measures upon which
  639  a voter’s selections are marked using a manual marking device. A
  640  ballot includes a voter-verifiable paper output upon which a
  641  voter’s selections are marked by a voter interface device that
  642  meets voter accessibility requirements for individuals with
  643  disabilities under s. 301 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002
  644  and s. 101.56062 when used in reference to:
  645         (a) “Electronic or electromechanical devices” means a
  646  ballot that is voted by the process of electronically
  647  designating, including by touchscreen, or marking with a marking
  648  device for tabulation by automatic tabulating equipment or data
  649  processing equipment.
  650         (b) “Marksense ballots” means that printed sheet of paper,
  651  used in conjunction with an electronic or electromechanical vote
  652  tabulation voting system, containing the names of candidates, or
  653  a statement of proposed constitutional amendments or other
  654  questions or propositions submitted to the electorate at any
  655  election, on which sheet of paper an elector casts his or her
  656  vote.
  657         (42) “Voter interface device” means any device that
  658  communicates voting instructions and ballot information to a
  659  voter and allows the voter to select and vote for candidates and
  660  issues. A voter interface device may not be used to tabulate
  661  votes. Any vote tabulation must be based upon a subsequent scan
  662  of the marked marksense ballot or the voter-verifiable paper
  663  output after the voter interface device process has been
  664  completed.
  665         (43) “Voter registration agency” means any office that
  666  provides public assistance, any office that serves persons with
  667  disabilities, any center for independent living, or any public
  668  library. The term includes any other federal or state office
  669  that is first designated by the Secretary of State to become a
  670  voter registration agency and for which such office accepts such
  671  designation.
  672         (46) “Voting system” means a method of casting and
  673  processing votes that functions wholly or partly by use of
  674  electromechanical or electronic apparatus or by use of marksense
  675  ballots and includes, but is not limited to, the equipment,
  676  including hardware, firmware, and software; the ballots; the
  677  procedures for casting and processing votes; and the programs,
  678  operating manuals, supplies; and the reports, printouts, and
  679  other documentation software necessary for the system’s
  680  operation.
  681         Section 6. Section 97.022, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  682  read:
  683         97.022 Office of Election Crimes and Security; creation;
  684  purpose and duties.—
  685         (1) The Office of Election Crimes and Security is created
  686  within the Department of State. The purpose of the office is to
  687  aid the Secretary of State in completion of his or her duties.
  688  under s. 97.012(12) and (15) by:
  689         (2)The office has the authority and responsibility to:
  690         (a) Receive and review Receiving and reviewing notices and
  691  reports generated by government officials or any other person
  692  regarding alleged occurrences of election law violations or
  693  election irregularities in this state.
  694         (b) Initiate Initiating independent inquiries and
  695  conducting preliminary investigations into allegations of
  696  election law violations or election irregularities in this
  697  state.
  698         (3)(2) The office may review complaints and conduct
  699  preliminary investigations into alleged criminal violations of
  700  the Florida Election Code or any rule adopted pursuant thereto
  701  and any election irregularities.
  702         (4)The office may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces
  703  tecum to bring before its duly authorized representatives any
  704  person in this state, or any person doing business in this
  705  state, to require the production of any records relevant to an
  706  investigation, and to administer oaths and affirmations in the
  707  manner prescribed by law to witnesses who shall appear before
  708  them. If a witness fails to respond to the subpoena issued by
  709  the office or, having responded, failed to answer all inquiries
  710  or to turn over evidence that has been subpoenaed, the office
  711  may file a complaint in the circuit court where the witness
  712  resides. Upon the filing of such complaint, the court shall take
  713  jurisdiction of the witness and the subject matter of such
  714  complaint and shall direct the witness to respond to all
  715  questions and to produce all documentary evidence in the
  716  witness’s possession which is demanded. Failure of a witness to
  717  comply with the court’s order constitutes a direct and criminal
  718  contempt of court, and the court punish the witness accordingly.
  719  However, the refusal by a witness to answer inquiries or turn
  720  over evidence on the basis that such answers or evidence will
  721  incriminate the witness is not a refusal to comply with this
  722  chapter. The sheriffs shall make the service and execute all
  723  process or orders when required by the office. The office shall
  724  pay the sheriffs for these services as provided in s. 30.231.
  725         (5)(3) The secretary shall appoint a director of the
  726  office.
  727         (6)(4) The office shall be based in Tallahassee and shall
  728  employ nonsworn investigators to conduct any investigations. The
  729  positions and resources necessary for the office to accomplish
  730  its duties shall be established through and subject to the
  731  legislative appropriations process.
  732         (7)(5) The office shall oversee the department’s voter
  733  fraud hotline.
  734         (8)(6) This section does not limit the jurisdiction of any
  735  other office or agency of the state empowered by law to
  736  investigate, act upon, or dispose of alleged election law
  737  violations.
  738         (9)(7) By January 15 of each year, the department shall
  739  submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate,
  740  and the Speaker of the House of Representatives detailing
  741  information on investigations of alleged election law violations
  742  or election irregularities conducted during the prior calendar
  743  year. The report must include the total number of complaints
  744  received and independent investigations initiated and the number
  745  of complaints referred to another agency for further
  746  investigation or prosecution, including the total number of
  747  those matters sent to a special officer pursuant to s. 102.091.
  748  For each alleged violation or irregularity investigated, the
  749  report must include:
  750         (a) The source of the alleged violation or irregularity;
  751         (b) The law allegedly violated or the nature of the
  752  irregularity reported;
  753         (c) The county in which the alleged violation or
  754  irregularity occurred;
  755         (d) Whether the alleged violation or irregularity was
  756  referred to another agency for further investigation or
  757  prosecution and, if so, to which agency; and
  758         (e) The current status of the investigation or resulting
  759  criminal case.
  760         (10)The Office of Election Crimes and Security may adopt
  761  rules to implement this section.
  762         Section 7. Section 97.027, Florida Statutes, is created to
  763  read:
  764         97.027 Signature matching training required.—A person whose
  765  duties require the verification of signatures pursuant to s.
  766  99.097, s. 100.371, s. 101.043, s. 101.048, s. 101.62, or s.
  767  101.68 must undergo formal signature matching training. The
  768  department shall adopt rules governing signature matching
  769  procedures and training.
  770         Section 8. Section 97.051, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  771  read:
  772         97.051 Oath upon registering.—A person registering to vote
  773  must subscribe to the following oath:
  774  
  775         “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will protect
  776         and defend the Constitution of the United States and
  777         the Constitution of the State of Florida, that I am
  778         qualified to register as an elector under the
  779         Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, and
  780         that all information provided in this application is
  781         true. I have carefully reviewed the instructions for
  782         completing the Florida Voter Registration Application,
  783         and I further swear (or affirm) that I am a United
  784         States citizen. I understand that if I have provided
  785         false information on this application I could be
  786         subject to criminal penalties for perjury and that I
  787         may be fined, imprisoned, or, if not a United States
  788         Citizen, deported or refused entry to the United
  789         States.”
  790  
  791         Section 9. Present subsections (5) through (8) of section
  792  97.0525, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (6)
  793  through (9), respectively, and a new subsection (5) is added to
  794  that section, to read:
  795         97.0525 Online voter registration.—
  796         (5) The online voter registration system must generate a
  797  notice to the applicant if the applicant’s legal status as
  798  United States citizen cannot be verified by the records of the
  799  Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The notice must
  800  provide the applicant with contact information for the
  801  applicant’s supervisor of elections for further information.
  802         Section 10. Subsections (2), (6), and (7) of section
  803  97.053, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  804         97.053 Acceptance of voter registration applications.—
  805         (2) A voter registration application is complete and
  806  becomes the official voter registration record of that applicant
  807  when all information necessary to establish the applicant’s
  808  eligibility pursuant to s. 97.041 is received by a voter
  809  registration official and verified pursuant to subsection (6).
  810  If the applicant fails to complete his or her voter registration
  811  application on or before prior to the date of book closing for
  812  an election, then such applicant is shall not be eligible to
  813  vote in that election.
  814         (6) A voter registration application, including an
  815  application with a change in name, address, or party
  816  affiliation, may be accepted as valid only after the department
  817  has verified the authenticity or nonexistence of the driver
  818  license number, the Florida identification card number, or the
  819  last four digits of the social security number provided by the
  820  applicant.
  821         (a) If a completed voter registration application has been
  822  received by the book-closing deadline but the driver license
  823  number, the Florida identification card number, or the last four
  824  digits of the social security number provided by the applicant
  825  cannot be verified, the applicant must shall be notified that
  826  the number cannot be verified and that the applicant must
  827  provide evidence to the supervisor sufficient to verify the
  828  authenticity of the applicant’s driver license number, Florida
  829  identification card number, or last four digits of the social
  830  security number. If the applicant provides the necessary
  831  evidence, the supervisor must shall place the applicant’s name
  832  on the registration rolls as an active voter or update, as
  833  applicable, the voter’s record with the change in address, name,
  834  or party affiliation. The change in address, name, or party
  835  affiliation is retroactive to the date the application was
  836  initially received. If the applicant has not provided the
  837  necessary evidence or the number has not otherwise been verified
  838  prior to the applicant presenting himself or herself to vote,
  839  the applicant must shall be provided a provisional ballot. The
  840  provisional ballot must shall be counted pursuant to s. 101.048
  841  but only if the number is verified by the end of the canvassing
  842  period or if the applicant presents evidence to the supervisor
  843  of elections sufficient to verify the authenticity of the
  844  applicant’s driver license number, Florida identification card
  845  number, or last four digits of the social security number no
  846  later than 5 p.m. of the second day following the election.
  847         (b)If a completed voter registration application for new
  848  registration has been received by the book-closing deadline but
  849  the applicant’s legal status as a United States citizen cannot
  850  be verified, the applicant must provide evidence to the
  851  supervisor sufficient to verify the applicant’s legal status as
  852  a United States citizen before voting. If the applicant provides
  853  the necessary evidence, the supervisor must place the
  854  applicant’s name on the registration rolls as an active voter.
  855  If the applicant has not provided the necessary evidence or the
  856  legal status is not verified before the applicant presents
  857  himself or herself to vote, the applicant must be provided a
  858  provisional ballot. The provisional ballot may be counted only
  859  if the applicant’s legal status as a United States citizen is
  860  verified by the end of the canvassing period or if the applicant
  861  presents evidence to the supervisor of elections sufficient to
  862  verify the applicant’s legal status as a United States citizen
  863  no later than 5 p.m. of the second day following the election.
  864         (7) All voter registration applications received by a voter
  865  registration official must shall be entered into the statewide
  866  voter registration system within 7 13 days after receipt. Once
  867  entered, the application shall be immediately forwarded to the
  868  appropriate supervisor of elections.
  869         Section 11. Subsections (11) and (13) of section 97.057,
  870  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  871         97.057 Voter registration by the Department of Highway
  872  Safety and Motor Vehicles.—
  873         (11) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  874  shall enter into an agreement with the department to match
  875  information in the statewide voter registration system with
  876  information in the database of the Department of Highway Safety
  877  and Motor Vehicles to the extent required to verify the accuracy
  878  of the driver license number, Florida identification number, or
  879  last four digits of the social security number provided on
  880  applications for voter registration. The department shall
  881  provide the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles with
  882  information as required in s. 97.053 as necessary to establish
  883  the applicant’s legal status as a United States citizen.
  884         (13) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  885  shall must assist the Department of State in regularly
  886  identifying changes in residence address on the driver license
  887  or identification card of a voter in accordance with this
  888  section. The Department of State shall must report each such
  889  change to the appropriate supervisor of elections who must
  890  change the voter’s registration records in accordance with s.
  891  98.065(4).
  892         Section 12. Subsection (5) of section 97.0575, Florida
  893  Statutes, is amended to read:
  894         97.0575 Third-party voter registration organizations.—
  895         (5)(a) A third-party voter registration organization that
  896  collects voter registration applications serves as a fiduciary
  897  to the applicant and shall ensure that any voter registration
  898  application entrusted to the organization, irrespective of party
  899  affiliation, race, ethnicity, or gender, is promptly delivered
  900  to the division or the supervisor of elections in the county in
  901  which the applicant resides within 10 days after the application
  902  is completed by the applicant, but not after registration closes
  903  for the next ensuing election. However, if the delivery is made
  904  within the 10 days before book closing, the delivery must be
  905  made to the supervisor of elections in the county in which the
  906  applicant resides and may not be made to the division. If a
  907  voter registration application collected by any third-party
  908  voter registration organization is not promptly delivered to the
  909  division or supervisor of elections in the county in which the
  910  applicant resides, the third-party voter registration
  911  organization is liable for the following fines:
  912         1. A fine in the amount of $50 per each day late, up to
  913  $2,500, for each application received by the division or the
  914  supervisor of elections in the county in which the applicant
  915  resides more than 10 days after the applicant delivered the
  916  completed voter registration application to the third-party
  917  voter registration organization or any person, entity, or agent
  918  acting on its behalf. A fine in the amount of $2,500 for each
  919  application received if the third-party voter registration
  920  organization or person, entity, or agency acting on its behalf
  921  acted willfully.
  922         2. A fine in the amount of $100 per each day late, up to
  923  $5,000, for each application collected by a third-party voter
  924  registration organization or any person, entity, or agent acting
  925  on its behalf, before book closing for any given election for
  926  federal or state office and received by the division or the
  927  supervisor of elections in the county in which the applicant
  928  resides after the book-closing deadline for such election. A
  929  fine in the amount of $5,000 for each application received if
  930  the third-party voter registration organization or any person,
  931  entity, or agency acting on its behalf acted willfully.
  932         3. A fine in the amount of $500 for each application
  933  collected by a third-party voter registration organization or
  934  any person, entity, or agent acting on its behalf, which is not
  935  submitted to the division or supervisor of elections in the
  936  county in which the applicant resides. A fine in the amount of
  937  $5,000 for any application not submitted if the third-party
  938  voter registration organization or person, entity, or agency
  939  acting on its behalf acted willfully.
  940  
  941  The aggregate fine which may be assessed pursuant to this
  942  paragraph against a third-party voter registration organization,
  943  including affiliate organizations, for violations committed in a
  944  calendar year is $250,000.
  945         (b) A showing by the third-party voter registration
  946  organization that the failure to deliver the voter registration
  947  application within the required timeframe is based upon force
  948  majeure or impossibility of performance shall be an affirmative
  949  defense to a violation of this subsection. The secretary may
  950  waive the fines described in this subsection upon a showing that
  951  the failure to deliver the voter registration application
  952  promptly is based upon force majeure or impossibility of
  953  performance.
  954         Section 13. Section 97.1031, Florida Statutes, is amended
  955  to read:
  956         97.1031 Notice of change of residence, change of name, or
  957  change of party affiliation.—
  958         (1)(a) When a voter an elector changes his or her residence
  959  address, the voter elector must notify the supervisor of
  960  elections. Except as provided in paragraph (b), an address
  961  change must be submitted using a voter registration application.
  962         (b) If the address change is within this the state and
  963  notice is provided to the supervisor of elections of the county
  964  where the voter elector has moved, the voter elector may do so
  965  by:
  966         1. Contacting the supervisor of elections via telephone or
  967  electronic means, in which case the voter elector must provide
  968  his or her date of birth and the last four digits of his or her
  969  social security number, his or her Florida driver license
  970  number, or his or her Florida identification card number,
  971  whichever may be verified in the supervisor’s records; or
  972         2. Submitting the change on a voter registration
  973  application or other signed written notice.
  974         (2) When a voter an elector seeks to change party
  975  affiliation, the voter must elector shall notify his or her
  976  supervisor of elections or other voter registration official by
  977  submitting a voter registration application. When a voter an
  978  elector changes his or her name by marriage or other legal
  979  process, the voter elector shall notify his or her supervisor of
  980  elections or other voter registration official by submitting a
  981  voter registration application.
  982         (3) The voter registration official shall make the
  983  necessary changes in the voter’s elector’s records within 7 days
  984  after receipt as soon as practical upon receipt of such notice
  985  of a change of address of legal residence, name, or party
  986  affiliation. The supervisor of elections shall issue the new
  987  voter information card pursuant to s. 97.071.
  988         Section 14. Subsections (4) and (12) of section 98.015,
  989  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  990         98.015 Supervisor of elections; election, tenure of office,
  991  compensation, custody of registration-related documents, office
  992  hours, successor, seal; appointment of deputy supervisors;
  993  duties.—
  994         (4) At a minimum, the main and permanent branch offices
  995  office of the supervisor must be open Monday through Friday,
  996  excluding legal holidays, for a period of not less than 8 hours
  997  per day, beginning no later than 9 a.m.
  998         (12)(a) Each supervisor shall maintain a list of valid
  999  residential street addresses for purposes of verifying the legal
 1000  addresses of voters residing in the supervisor’s county. To the
 1001  maximum extent practicable, The list must shall include
 1002  information necessary to differentiate one residence from
 1003  another, including, but not limited to, a distinguishing
 1004  apartment, suite, lot, room, or dormitory room number or other
 1005  identifier. If a voter registration application does not include
 1006  information necessary to differentiate one residence from
 1007  another, the supervisor must shall make all reasonable efforts
 1008  to obtain such information in order to maintain the list of
 1009  valid residential street addresses.
 1010         (b) The supervisor shall make all reasonable efforts to
 1011  coordinate with county 911 service providers, property
 1012  appraisers, the United States Postal Service, or other agencies
 1013  as necessary to ensure the continued accuracy of such list and
 1014  to identify non-residential addresses, including, but not
 1015  limited to, addresses for businesses such as storage facilities,
 1016  hotels, post office boxes, correctional facilities, mail or
 1017  courier services, governmental agencies, and mail service or
 1018  forwarding delivery services. The supervisor shall provide the
 1019  list of valid residential addresses to the statewide voter
 1020  registration system in the manner and frequency specified by
 1021  rule of the department.
 1022         Section 15. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 98.045,
 1023  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1024         98.045 Administration of voter registration.—
 1025         (1) ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANT.—
 1026         (a) The supervisor shall must ensure that any eligible
 1027  applicant for voter registration is registered to vote and that
 1028  each application for voter registration is processed in
 1029  accordance with law. The supervisor shall determine whether a
 1030  voter registration applicant is ineligible based on any of the
 1031  following:
 1032         1.(a) The failure to complete a voter registration
 1033  application as specified in s. 97.053.
 1034         2.(b) The applicant is deceased.
 1035         3.(c) The applicant has been convicted of a felony for
 1036  which his or her voting rights have not been restored.
 1037         4.(d) The applicant has been adjudicated mentally
 1038  incapacitated with respect to the right to vote and such right
 1039  has not been restored.
 1040         5.(e) The applicant does not meet the age requirement
 1041  pursuant to s. 97.041.
 1042         6.(f) The applicant is not a United States citizen.
 1043         7.(g) The applicant is a fictitious person.
 1044         8.(h) The applicant has provided an address of legal
 1045  residence that is not his or her legal residence.
 1046         9.(i) The applicant has provided a driver license number,
 1047  Florida identification card number, or the last four digits of a
 1048  social security number that is not verifiable by the department.
 1049         (b)1.If the latest voter registration records show that a
 1050  new applicant was previously registered but subsequently removed
 1051  for ineligibility by reason of a felony conviction without
 1052  voting rights restored, adjudication as mentally incapacitated
 1053  with respect to voting without voting rights restored, death, or
 1054  for not being a United States citizen, the supervisor must
 1055  process the application in accordance with s. 97.053. However,
 1056  the supervisor, within 7 days of receiving such application,
 1057  shall determine whether the information is still credible and
 1058  reliable and, if applicable, follow procedures to notify the
 1059  voter pursuant to s. 98.075(7).
 1060         (2) REMOVAL OF REGISTERED VOTERS.—
 1061         (a) Once a voter is registered, the name of that voter may
 1062  not be removed from the statewide voter registration system
 1063  except at the written request of the voter, by reason of the
 1064  voter’s conviction of a felony or adjudication as mentally
 1065  incapacitated with respect to voting, by death of the voter, or
 1066  pursuant to a registration list maintenance activity conducted
 1067  pursuant to s. 98.065 or s. 98.075.
 1068         (b) Information received by a voter registration official
 1069  from an election official in another state indicating that a
 1070  registered voter in this state has subsequently registered to
 1071  vote in that other state must shall be considered as a written
 1072  request from the voter to have the voter’s name removed from the
 1073  statewide voter registration system. The voter’s name must be
 1074  removed within 7 days after receipt of such information.
 1075         Section 16. Section 98.065, Florida Statutes, is amended to
 1076  read:
 1077         98.065 Registration list maintenance programs.—
 1078         (1) PURPOSE.—The supervisor shall must conduct a general
 1079  registration list maintenance program to protect the integrity
 1080  of the electoral process by ensuring the maintenance of accurate
 1081  and current voter registration records in the statewide voter
 1082  registration system. The program must be uniform,
 1083  nondiscriminatory, and in compliance with the Voting Rights Act
 1084  of 1965, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, and the
 1085  Help America Vote Act of 2002. As used in this subsection, the
 1086  term “nondiscriminatory” applies to and includes persons with
 1087  disabilities.
 1088         (2) ANNUAL REGISTRATION LIST MAINTENANCE.—A supervisor
 1089  shall must incorporate one or more of the following procedures
 1090  in the supervisor’s annual registration list maintenance program
 1091  under which the supervisor shall:
 1092         (a) Use change-of-address information supplied by the
 1093  United States Postal Service through its licensees to identify
 1094  registered voters whose addresses might have changed.
 1095  Additionally, in odd-numbered years, unless the supervisor is
 1096  conducting the procedure specified in paragraph (b), the
 1097  supervisor must identify change-of-address information from
 1098  address confirmation final notices mailed to all registered
 1099  voters who have not voted in the preceding two general elections
 1100  or any intervening election and who have not made a request that
 1101  their registration records be updated during that time; or
 1102         (b) Identify change-of-address information from returned
 1103  nonforwardable return-if-undeliverable address confirmation
 1104  requests sent to all registered voters in the county.
 1105         (3) TIMELINE.—A registration list maintenance program must
 1106  be conducted by each supervisor, at a minimum, once each year,
 1107  beginning no later than April 1, and must be completed at least
 1108  90 days before the date of any federal election. All list
 1109  maintenance actions associated with each voter must be entered,
 1110  tracked, recorded, and maintained in the statewide voter
 1111  registration system.
 1112         (4) CHANGE OF ADDRESS INFORMATION.—
 1113         (a) If the supervisor receives change-of-address
 1114  information pursuant to the activities conducted in subsection
 1115  (2), from jury notices signed by the voter and returned to the
 1116  courts, from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
 1117  Vehicles, or from other sources which indicates that a
 1118  registered voter’s legal residence might have changed to another
 1119  location within the state, the supervisor must change the
 1120  registration records to reflect the new address and must send
 1121  the voter an address change notice as provided in s. 98.0655(2).
 1122         (b) If the supervisor of elections receives change-of
 1123  address information pursuant to the activities conducted in
 1124  subsection (2), from jury notices signed by the voter and
 1125  returned to the courts, or from other sources which indicates
 1126  that a registered voter’s legal residence might have changed to
 1127  a location outside the state, the supervisor of elections must
 1128  shall send an address confirmation final notice to the voter as
 1129  provided in s. 98.0655(3).
 1130         (c) If an address confirmation request required by
 1131  paragraph (2)(b) is returned as undeliverable without indication
 1132  of an address change, or if any other nonforwardable return-if
 1133  undeliverable mail is returned as undeliverable with no
 1134  indication of an address change, the supervisor must send an
 1135  address confirmation final notice to the voter.
 1136         (d) The supervisor may use other credible and reliable
 1137  sources including commercially available data, such as address
 1138  information from national credit reporting agencies, to compare
 1139  against voter registration records and to conduct address list
 1140  maintenance.
 1141         (e) The supervisor shall must designate as inactive all
 1142  voters who have been sent an address confirmation final notice
 1143  and who have not returned the postage prepaid, preaddressed
 1144  return form within 30 days or for which the final notice has
 1145  been returned as undeliverable. Names on the inactive list may
 1146  not be used to calculate the number of signatures needed on any
 1147  petition. A voter on the inactive list may be restored to the
 1148  active list of voters upon the voter updating his or her
 1149  registration and confirming his or her current address of legal
 1150  residence, requesting a vote-by-mail ballot and confirming his
 1151  or her current address of legal residence, or appearing to vote
 1152  and confirming his or her current address of legal residence.
 1153  However, if the voter does not update his or her voter
 1154  registration information, request a vote-by-mail ballot, or vote
 1155  by the second general election after being placed on the
 1156  inactive list, the voter’s name must shall be removed from the
 1157  statewide voter registration system and the voter must shall be
 1158  required to reregister to have his or her name restored to the
 1159  statewide voter registration system.
 1160         (5) NOTICE.—A notice may not be issued pursuant to this
 1161  section, and a voter’s name may not be removed from the
 1162  statewide voter registration system later than 90 days before
 1163  prior to the date of a federal election. However, this section
 1164  does not preclude the correction of registration records based
 1165  on information submitted by the voter or removal of the name of
 1166  a voter from the statewide voter registration system at any time
 1167  upon the voter’s written request, by reason of the voter’s
 1168  death, or upon a determination of the voter’s ineligibility as
 1169  provided in s. 98.075(7).
 1170         (6) ANNUAL REVIEW OF VOTER RECORDS FOR RESIDENCY.—The
 1171  supervisor shall, at a minimum, conduct an annual review of
 1172  voter registration records to identify registration records in
 1173  which a voter is registered at an address that may not be an
 1174  address of legal residence for the voter. For those registration
 1175  records with such addresses that the supervisor has reasonable
 1176  belief are not legal residential addresses, the supervisor shall
 1177  initiate list maintenance activities pursuant to s. 98.075(6)
 1178  and (7).
 1179         (7) CERTIFICATION OF ACTIVITIES.—
 1180         (a) No later than July 31 and January 31 of each year, the
 1181  supervisor shall must certify to the department the address list
 1182  maintenance activities conducted during the first 6 months and
 1183  the second 6 months of the year, respectively, including the
 1184  number of address confirmation requests sent, the number of
 1185  voters designated as inactive, and the number of voters removed
 1186  from the statewide voter registration system.
 1187         (b) If, based on the certification provided pursuant to
 1188  paragraph (a), the department determines that a supervisor has
 1189  not conducted the list maintenance activities required by this
 1190  section, the department must shall conduct the appropriate list
 1191  maintenance activities for that county. Failure to conduct list
 1192  maintenance activities as required in this section constitutes a
 1193  violation of s. 104.051.
 1194         Section 17. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 98.075,
 1195  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1196         98.075 Registration records maintenance activities;
 1197  ineligibility determinations.—
 1198         (2) DUPLICATE REGISTRATION.—
 1199         (a) The department shall identify those voters who are
 1200  registered more than once or those applicants whose registration
 1201  applications within this the state would result in duplicate
 1202  registrations. The most recent application must shall be deemed
 1203  an update to the voter registration record.
 1204         (b)1. The department may become a member of a
 1205  nongovernmental entity whose sole purpose is to share and
 1206  exchange information in order to verify voter registration
 1207  information. The membership of the nongovernmental entity must
 1208  be composed solely of election officials of state governments,
 1209  except that such membership may also include election officials
 1210  of the District of Columbia. If the department intends to become
 1211  a member of such a nongovernmental entity, the agreement to join
 1212  the entity must require that the Secretary of State, or his or
 1213  her designee, serve as a full member with voting rights on the
 1214  nongovernmental entity’s board of directors within 12 months
 1215  after joining the entity. The department may enter into
 1216  memorandums of understanding with other state governments.
 1217         2. The department may share confidential and exempt
 1218  information with another state government after agreeing to a
 1219  memorandum of understanding or after becoming a member of a
 1220  nongovernmental entity as provided in subparagraph 1. if:
 1221         a. Each state government or each member of the
 1222  nongovernmental entity agrees to maintain the confidentiality of
 1223  such information as required by the laws of the jurisdiction
 1224  providing the information; or
 1225         b. The bylaws of the nongovernmental entity require member
 1226  jurisdictions and the entity to maintain the confidentiality of
 1227  information as required by the laws of the jurisdiction
 1228  providing the information.
 1229         3. The department may only become a member of a
 1230  nongovernmental entity as provided in subparagraph 1. if the
 1231  entity is controlled and operated by the participating
 1232  jurisdictions. The entity may not be operated or controlled by
 1233  the Federal Government or any other entity acting on behalf of
 1234  the Federal Government. The department must be able to withdraw
 1235  at any time from any such membership entered into.
 1236         4. If the department enters into a memorandum of
 1237  understanding with another state government or becomes a member
 1238  of a nongovernmental entity as provided in subparagraph 1., the
 1239  Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles must, pursuant
 1240  to a written agreement with the department, provide driver
 1241  license or identification card information to the department for
 1242  the purpose of sharing and exchanging voter registration
 1243  information with the other state government or nongovernmental
 1244  entity.
 1245         5. If the department becomes a member of a nongovernmental
 1246  entity as provided in subparagraph 1., the department must
 1247  submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate,
 1248  and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 1 of
 1249  each year. The report must describe the terms of the
 1250  nongovernmental entity membership and provide information on the
 1251  total number of voters removed from the voter registration
 1252  system as a result of the membership and the reasons for their
 1253  removal.
 1254         (c) Information received by the department from another
 1255  state or the District of Columbia upon the department entering
 1256  into a memorandum of understanding with another state or
 1257  becoming a member of a nongovernmental entity as provided in
 1258  subparagraph (b)1., which is confidential or exempt pursuant to
 1259  the laws of that state or the District of Columbia, is exempt
 1260  from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State
 1261  Constitution. The department shall provide such information to
 1262  the supervisors to conduct registration list maintenance
 1263  activities.
 1264         (3) DECEASED PERSONS.—
 1265         (a)1. The department shall identify those registered voters
 1266  who are deceased by comparing information received from:
 1267         a. The Department of Health as provided in s. 98.093;
 1268         b. The United States Social Security Administration,
 1269  including, but not limited to, any master death file or index
 1270  compiled by the United States Social Security Administration; or
 1271  and
 1272         c. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
 1273         2. Within 7 days after receipt of such information through
 1274  the statewide voter registration system, the supervisor shall
 1275  remove the name of the registered voter.
 1276         (b) The supervisor shall remove the name of a deceased
 1277  registered voter from the statewide voter registration system
 1278  within 7 days after:
 1279         1. Receipt of a copy of a death certificate issued by a
 1280  governmental agency authorized to issue death certificates; or
 1281         2.A published obituary or notice of death, a letter of
 1282  probate or estate administration, or personal knowledge that is
 1283  verified pursuant to s. 92.525, of a registered voter’s death.
 1284         Section 18. Section 98.094, Florida Statutes, is created to
 1285  read:
 1286         98.094 Federal jury notice.—
 1287         (1)Lists of registered voters must be provided to federal
 1288  courts for purposes of selecting jurors on the condition that
 1289  the jury coordinator provides notice pursuant to subsection (2)
 1290  regarding ineligible or potentially ineligible voters.
 1291         (2)The jury coordinator shall prepare or cause to be
 1292  prepared a list of each person disqualified or potentially
 1293  disqualified as a prospective juror from jury service due to not
 1294  being a United States citizen, being convicted of a felony,
 1295  being deceased, not being a resident of this state, or not being
 1296  a resident of the county. The list must be prepared and sent to
 1297  the division according to the jury summons cycle used by the
 1298  court clerk and may be provided by mail, facsimile, e-mail or
 1299  other electronic means. This section does not prevent the list
 1300  from being sent more frequently.
 1301         (3)The jury coordinator shall provide the division with
 1302  all of the following information about each disqualified juror:
 1303         (a)His or her full name.
 1304         (b)Current and prior addresses, if any.
 1305         (c)Telephone number, if available.
 1306         (d)Date of birth.
 1307         (e)The reason for disqualification.
 1308         (4)The division shall provide the information to the
 1309  supervisors in each county of residence for a disqualified
 1310  juror, and the supervisor shall initiate list maintenance
 1311  pursuant to s. 98.065, or eligibility maintenance pursuant to s.
 1312  98.075(7).
 1313         Section 19. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection
 1314  (2) of section 98.212, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1315         98.212 Department and supervisors to furnish statistical
 1316  and other information.—
 1317         (1)(a) Upon written request, the department and any
 1318  supervisor of the respective counties shall, as promptly as
 1319  possible, furnish to recognized public or private universities
 1320  and senior colleges within the state, to state or county
 1321  governmental agencies, and to recognized political party
 1322  committees statistical information for the purpose of analyzing
 1323  election returns and results.
 1324         (2) The supervisors shall provide information as requested
 1325  by the department, including for program evaluation and
 1326  reporting to the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to
 1327  federal law, and by the Legislature. The department may adopt
 1328  rules as necessary to establish the required content and
 1329  acceptable formats for such information.
 1330         Section 20. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
 1331  99.012, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1332         99.012 Restrictions on individuals qualifying for public
 1333  office.—
 1334         (1) As used in this section:
 1335         (b) “Qualify” means to fulfill the requirements set forth
 1336  in s. 99.061(5)(a) s. 99.061(7)(a) or s. 105.031(5)(a).
 1337         Section 21. Present paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of
 1338  section 99.021, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph
 1339  (f), and a new paragraph (e) is added to that subsection, to
 1340  read:
 1341         99.021 Form of candidate oath.—
 1342         (1)
 1343         (e) A person’s compliance with the 365-day requirements in
 1344  paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) may be challenged by a qualified
 1345  candidate or a political party with qualified candidates in the
 1346  same race by filing an action in the circuit court for the
 1347  county in which the qualifying officer is headquartered. A
 1348  person may not be qualified as a candidate for nomination or
 1349  election and his or her name may not appear on the ballot if a
 1350  court order becomes final and determines that:
 1351         1.The person seeking to qualify for nomination as a
 1352  candidate of any political party has not been registered member
 1353  of that party for the 365-day period preceding the beginning of
 1354  qualifying; or
 1355         2.The person seeking to qualify for office as a candidate
 1356  with no party affiliation has not been registered without party
 1357  affiliation for, or has been a registered member of any
 1358  political party during, the 365-day period preceding the
 1359  beginning of qualifying.
 1360         Section 22. Section 99.061, Florida Statutes, is amended to
 1361  read:
 1362         99.061 Method of qualifying for nomination or election to
 1363  federal, state, county, or district office.—
 1364         (1) QUALIFYING OFFICE AND PERIODS.—
 1365         (a) The provisions of any special act to the contrary
 1366  notwithstanding, each person seeking to qualify for nomination
 1367  or election to a federal, state, or multicounty district office,
 1368  other than election to a judicial office as defined in chapter
 1369  105 or the office of school board member, must shall file his or
 1370  her qualification papers with, and pay the qualifying fee, which
 1371  consists shall consist of the filing fee and election
 1372  assessment, and party assessment, if any has been levied, to,
 1373  the Department of State, or qualify by the petition process
 1374  pursuant to s. 99.095 with the Department of State. The
 1375  qualifying period is any time after, at any time after noon of
 1376  the 1st day for qualifying, which shall be as follows:
 1377         1.Noon of the 134th the 120th day before prior to the
 1378  primary election, but not later than noon of the 130th 116th day
 1379  before prior to the date of the primary election, for persons
 1380  seeking to qualify for nomination or election to federal office
 1381  or to the office of the state attorney or the public defender;
 1382  and
 1383         2. Noon of the 92nd 71st day before prior to the primary
 1384  election, but not later than noon of the 88th 67th day before
 1385  prior to the date of the primary election, for persons seeking
 1386  to qualify for nomination or election to a state or multicounty
 1387  district office, other than the office of the state attorney or
 1388  the public defender.
 1389         (b)(2) The provisions of any special act to the contrary
 1390  notwithstanding, each person seeking to qualify for nomination
 1391  or election to a county office, or district office not covered
 1392  by subsection (1), shall file his or her qualification papers
 1393  with, and pay the qualifying fee, which consists shall consist
 1394  of the filing fee and election assessment, and party assessment,
 1395  if any has been levied, to, the supervisor of elections of the
 1396  county, or shall qualify by the petition process pursuant to s.
 1397  99.095 with the supervisor of elections. The deadline for filing
 1398  is, at any time after noon of the 92nd 1st day for qualifying,
 1399  which shall be the 71st day before prior to the primary
 1400  election, but not later than noon of the 88th 67th day before
 1401  prior to the date of the primary election. Within 30 days after
 1402  the closing of qualifying time, the supervisor of elections
 1403  shall remit to the secretary of the state executive committee of
 1404  the political party to which the candidate belongs the amount of
 1405  the filing fee, two-thirds of which must shall be used to
 1406  promote the candidacy of candidates for county offices and the
 1407  candidacy of members of the Legislature.
 1408         (c)(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of any special act to
 1409  the contrary, each person seeking to qualify for election to a
 1410  special district office shall qualify between noon of the 92nd
 1411  71st day before prior to the primary election and noon of the
 1412  88th 67th day before prior to the date of the primary election.
 1413  Candidates for single-county special districts shall qualify
 1414  with the supervisor of elections in the county in which the
 1415  district is located. If the district is a multicounty district,
 1416  candidates must shall qualify with the Department of State. All
 1417  special district candidates must shall qualify by paying a
 1418  filing fee of $25 or qualify by the petition process pursuant to
 1419  s. 99.095. Notwithstanding s. 106.021, a candidate who does not
 1420  collect contributions and whose only expense is the filing fee
 1421  or signature verification fee is not required to appoint a
 1422  campaign treasurer or designate a primary campaign depository.
 1423         (d)Notwithstanding the qualifying periods described by
 1424  this section, in each year in which the Legislature apportions
 1425  the state, the qualifying period for persons seeking to qualify
 1426  for nomination or election to federal office is between noon of
 1427  the 92nd day before the primary election, but not later than
 1428  noon of the 88th day before the primary election.
 1429         (2)WRITE-IN CANDIDATES.—
 1430         (a)(4)(a) Each person seeking to qualify for election to
 1431  office as a write-in candidate must shall file his or her
 1432  qualification papers with the respective qualifying officer at
 1433  any time after noon of the 1st day for qualifying, but not later
 1434  than noon of the last day of the qualifying period for the
 1435  office sought.
 1436         (b) Any person who is seeking election as a write-in
 1437  candidate is shall not be required to pay a filing fee, election
 1438  assessment, or party assessment. A write-in candidate is not
 1439  entitled to have his or her name printed on any ballot; however,
 1440  space for the write-in candidate’s name to be written in must be
 1441  provided on the general election ballot. A person may not
 1442  qualify as a write-in candidate if the person has also otherwise
 1443  qualified for nomination or election to such office.
 1444         (3)(5)DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL INTEREST.—At the time of
 1445  qualifying for office, each candidate must file the following as
 1446  applicable:
 1447         (a)A candidate for a constitutional office, or for another
 1448  elective office subject to an annual filing requirement pursuant
 1449  to s. 112.3144, shall file a full and public disclosure of
 1450  financial interests pursuant to s. 8, Art. II of the State
 1451  Constitution, which must be verified under oath or affirmation
 1452  pursuant to s. 92.525(1)(a). A candidate who is subject to an
 1453  annual filing requirement under s. 112.3144 may file a
 1454  verification or receipt of electronic filing pursuant to s.
 1455  112.3144(4) for the purposes of qualifying only., and a
 1456         (b)A candidate for any other office, including local
 1457  elective office, shall file a statement of financial interests
 1458  pursuant to s. 112.3145. A candidate who is subject to an annual
 1459  filing requirement under s. 112.3144 may file a verification or
 1460  receipt of electronic filing pursuant to s. 112.3144(4). A
 1461  candidate who is subject to an annual filing requirement under
 1462  s. 112.3145 may file instead a verification or receipt of
 1463  electronic filing pursuant to s. 112.3145(2)(c) for the purposes
 1464  of qualifying only unless the candidate is required to file a
 1465  full and public disclosure of financial interests pursuant to s.
 1466  8, Art. II of the State Constitution or this subsection.
 1467         (4)(6)CERTIFICATION.—After the end of the qualifying
 1468  period, the department has no more than 3 business days to
 1469  process submitted qualifying papers. The Department of State
 1470  shall certify to the supervisor of elections, within 7 days
 1471  after the closing date for qualifying, the names of all duly
 1472  qualified candidates for nomination or election who have
 1473  qualified with the Department of State.
 1474         (5)(7)QUALIFYING PAPERS.—
 1475         (a) In order for a candidate to be qualified, the following
 1476  items must be received by the filing officer by the end of the
 1477  qualifying period:
 1478         1. A properly executed cashier’s check purchased from the
 1479  candidate’s campaign account or check drawn upon the candidate’s
 1480  campaign account payable to the person or entity as prescribed
 1481  by the filing officer in an amount not less than the fee
 1482  required by s. 99.092, unless the candidate obtained the
 1483  required number of signatures on petitions pursuant to s.
 1484  99.095. The filing fee for a special district candidate is not
 1485  required to be drawn upon the candidate’s campaign account. If a
 1486  candidate’s check is returned by any the bank for any reason,
 1487  the filing officer must shall immediately notify the candidate
 1488  and the candidate must shall have 48 hours after receipt of
 1489  notice, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays until
 1490  the end of qualifying to pay the fee with a cashier’s check
 1491  purchased from funds of the campaign account. Failure to pay the
 1492  fee as provided in this subparagraph disqualifies shall
 1493  disqualify the candidate.
 1494         2. The candidate’s oath required by s. 99.021, which must
 1495  contain the name of the candidate as it is to appear on the
 1496  ballot; the office sought, including the district or group
 1497  number if applicable; and the signature of the candidate, which
 1498  must be verified under oath or affirmation pursuant to s.
 1499  92.525(1)(a).
 1500         3. If the office sought is partisan, the written statement
 1501  of political party affiliation required by s. 99.021(1)(b); or
 1502  if the candidate is running without party affiliation for a
 1503  partisan office, the written statement required by s.
 1504  99.021(1)(c).
 1505         4. The completed form for the appointment of campaign
 1506  treasurer and designation of campaign depository, as required by
 1507  s. 106.021. The form does not need to be resubmitted if the form
 1508  on file, which was filed with the qualifying officer before the
 1509  pre-qualifying or qualifying period, is current.
 1510         5. The full and public disclosure or statement of financial
 1511  interests required by subsection (3) (5). A public officer who
 1512  has filed the full and public disclosure or statement of
 1513  financial interests with the Commission on Ethics before
 1514  qualifying for office may file a copy of that disclosure or a
 1515  verification or receipt of electronic filing as provided in
 1516  subsection (3) (5) at the time of qualifying.
 1517         (b) If the filing officer receives qualifying papers during
 1518  the qualifying period prescribed in this section which do not
 1519  include all items as required by paragraph (a) before prior to
 1520  the last day of qualifying, the filing officer must shall make a
 1521  reasonable effort to notify the candidate of the missing or
 1522  incomplete items and must shall inform the candidate that all
 1523  required items must be received by the close of qualifying. A
 1524  candidate’s name as it is to appear on the ballot may not be
 1525  changed after the end of qualifying.
 1526         (6)(c)MINISTERIAL ROLE.—The filing officer performs a
 1527  ministerial function in reviewing qualifying papers. In
 1528  determining whether a candidate is qualified, the filing officer
 1529  shall review the qualifying papers to determine whether all
 1530  items required by subsection (5) paragraph (a) have been
 1531  properly filed and on the most current form as applicable, and
 1532  whether each item is complete on its face, including whether
 1533  items that must be verified have been properly verified pursuant
 1534  to s. 92.525(1)(a). The filing officer may not determine whether
 1535  the contents of the qualifying papers are accurate.
 1536         (7)(8)PREQUALIFYING SUBMISSION PERIOD.—Notwithstanding the
 1537  qualifying period prescribed in this section, a qualifying
 1538  office may accept and hold qualifying papers submitted not
 1539  earlier than 14 days prior to the beginning of the qualifying
 1540  period, to be processed and filed during the qualifying period.
 1541         (9) Notwithstanding the qualifying period prescribed by
 1542  this section, in each year in which the Legislature apportions
 1543  the state, the qualifying period for persons seeking to qualify
 1544  for nomination or election to federal office shall be between
 1545  noon of the 71st day prior to the primary election, but not
 1546  later than noon of the 67th day prior to the primary election.
 1547         (8)(10)RULEMAKING.—The Department of State may prescribe
 1548  by rule requirements for filing papers to qualify as a candidate
 1549  under this section.
 1550         (9)(11)EXEMPTION FROM CHAPTER 120.—The decision of the
 1551  filing officer concerning whether a candidate is qualified is
 1552  exempt from the provisions of chapter 120.
 1553         Section 23. Effective upon becoming a law, section 99.092,
 1554  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1555         99.092 Qualifying fee of candidate; notification of
 1556  Department of State.—
 1557         (1) Each person seeking to qualify for nomination or
 1558  election to any office, except a person seeking to qualify by
 1559  the petition process pursuant to s. 99.095 and except a person
 1560  seeking to qualify as a write-in candidate, shall pay a
 1561  qualifying fee, which shall consist of a filing fee and election
 1562  assessment, to the officer with whom the person qualifies, and
 1563  any party assessment levied, and shall attach the original or
 1564  signed duplicate of the receipt for his or her party assessment
 1565  or pay the same, in accordance with the provisions of s.
 1566  103.121, at the time of filing his or her other qualifying
 1567  papers. The amount of the filing fee is 3 percent of the annual
 1568  salary of the office. The amount of the election assessment is 1
 1569  percent of the annual salary of the office sought. The election
 1570  assessment shall be transferred to the Elections Commission
 1571  Trust Fund. The amount of the party assessment is 2 percent of
 1572  the annual salary. The annual salary of the office for purposes
 1573  of computing the filing fee, election assessment, and party
 1574  assessment shall be computed by multiplying 12 times the monthly
 1575  salary, excluding any special qualification pay, authorized for
 1576  such office as of July 1 immediately preceding the first day of
 1577  qualifying. No qualifying fee shall be returned to the candidate
 1578  unless the candidate withdraws his or her candidacy before the
 1579  last date to qualify. If a candidate dies prior to an election
 1580  and has not withdrawn his or her candidacy before the last date
 1581  to qualify, the candidate’s qualifying fee shall be returned to
 1582  his or her designated beneficiary, and, if the filing fee or any
 1583  portion thereof has been transferred to the political party of
 1584  the candidate, the Secretary of State shall direct the party to
 1585  return that portion to the designated beneficiary of the
 1586  candidate.
 1587         (2) The supervisor of elections shall, immediately after
 1588  the last day for qualifying, submit to the Department of State a
 1589  list containing the names, party affiliations, and addresses of
 1590  all candidates and the offices for which they qualified.
 1591         (3)(a)The division shall create a uniform petition form on
 1592  which signatures for a candidate petition will be affixed. The
 1593  form must solicit and require all of the following information:
 1594         1.The full name of the voter.
 1595         2.The voter’s residential address and county.
 1596         3.The voter’s voter registration number or date of birth.
 1597         4.The voter’s Florida driver license number, the voter’s
 1598  Florida identification card number, or the last four digits of
 1599  the voter’s social security number.
 1600         5.An attestation that the voter is a registered voter in
 1601  this state and is petitioning the Secretary of State to place
 1602  the candidate’s name on the ballot.
 1603         6.The voter’s signature and the date signed.
 1604         7.The candidate’s name and party information and the title
 1605  of the office sought by the candidate.
 1606         (b)The petition form must include a notice stating that
 1607  the form becomes public record upon receipt by the supervisor of
 1608  elections, that it is a first degree misdemeanor to knowingly
 1609  sign the same candidate petition more than once, and that the
 1610  form may not be validated if all requested information is not
 1611  provided.
 1612         Section 24. Effective upon becoming a law, subsection (3)
 1613  of section 99.095, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1614         99.095 Petition process in lieu of a qualifying fee and
 1615  party assessment.—
 1616         (3) Each petition must be submitted before noon of the 28th
 1617  day preceding the first day of the qualifying period for the
 1618  office sought to the supervisor of elections of the county in
 1619  which such petition was circulated. Each supervisor shall check
 1620  the signatures on the petitions to verify their status as voters
 1621  in the county, district, or other geographical area represented
 1622  by the office sought. The supervisor may verify that the
 1623  signature on a form is valid only if the petition form is a
 1624  circulated petition form properly verified pursuant to s.
 1625  100.373 or a requested petition form properly verified pursuant
 1626  to s. 100.375. No later than the 7th day before the first day of
 1627  the qualifying period, the supervisor shall certify the number
 1628  of valid signatures.
 1629         Section 25. Effective upon becoming a law, paragraph (a) of
 1630  subsection (4) of section 99.097, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1631  to read:
 1632         99.097 Verification of signatures on petitions.—
 1633         (4)(a) The supervisor must be paid in advance the sum of 10
 1634  cents for each signature checked or the actual cost of checking
 1635  such signature, whichever is less, by the candidate or, in the
 1636  case of a petition to have a local issue placed on the ballot,
 1637  by the person or organization submitting the petition. In the
 1638  case of a petition to place a statewide issue on the ballot, the
 1639  person or organization submitting the petition must pay the
 1640  supervisor in advance the cost posted by the supervisor pursuant
 1641  to s. 100.371(6) s. 100.371(11) for the actual cost of checking
 1642  signatures to place a statewide issue on the ballot.
 1643         Section 26. Subsections (3) and (5) of section 99.097,
 1644  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1645         99.097 Verification of signatures on petitions.—
 1646         (3)(a) If all other requirements for the petition are met,
 1647  a signature on a petition must shall be verified and counted as
 1648  valid for a registered voter if the voter is active and if,
 1649  after comparing the signature on the petition and the signature
 1650  of the registered voter in the voter registration system, the
 1651  supervisor is able to determine that the petition signer is the
 1652  same as the registered voter, even if the name on the petition
 1653  is not in substantially the same form as in the voter
 1654  registration system.
 1655         (b) In any situation in which this code requires the form
 1656  of the petition to be prescribed by the division, a no signature
 1657  may not shall be counted toward the number of signatures
 1658  required unless it is on a petition form prescribed by the
 1659  division.
 1660         (c) If a voter signs a petition and lists an address other
 1661  than the legal residence where the voter is registered, the
 1662  supervisor must shall treat the signature as if the voter had
 1663  listed the address where the voter is registered, but may not
 1664  update the voter’s address on file.
 1665         (5) The results of a verification pursuant to subparagraph
 1666  (1)(a)2. may be contested in the circuit court by the candidate;
 1667  an announced opponent in a candidate contest; or the chairperson
 1668  of the sponsoring a representative of a designated political
 1669  committee or the chairperson of a political committee registered
 1670  to oppose the issue in an issue contest; or a person, party, or
 1671  other organization submitting the petition. The contestant must
 1672  file a complaint, together with the fees prescribed in chapter
 1673  28, with the clerk of the circuit court in the county in which
 1674  the petition is certified or in Leon County if the petition
 1675  covers more than one county on or before the deadline to certify
 1676  ballot placement within 10 days after midnight of the date the
 1677  petition is certified; and the complaint must set forth the
 1678  grounds on which the contestant intends to establish his or her
 1679  right to require a complete check of the petition pursuant to
 1680  subparagraph (1)(a)1 or to establish whether the petition can or
 1681  cannot be verified as valid. In the event the court orders a
 1682  complete check of the petition and the result is not changed as
 1683  to the success or lack of success of the petitioner in obtaining
 1684  the requisite number of valid signatures, then such candidate,
 1685  unless the candidate has filed the oath stating that he or she
 1686  is unable to pay such charges; announced opponent;
 1687  representative of a designated political committee; or party,
 1688  person, or organization submitting the petition, unless such
 1689  person or organization has filed the oath stating inability to
 1690  pay such charges, must shall pay to the supervisor of elections
 1691  of each affected county for the complete check an amount
 1692  calculated at the rate of 10 cents for each additional signature
 1693  checked or the actual cost of checking such additional
 1694  signatures, as applicable.
 1695         Section 27. Section 100.191, Florida Statutes, is amended
 1696  to read:
 1697         100.191 General election laws applicable to special
 1698  elections; returns.—All laws that are applicable to general
 1699  elections and primary elections are applicable to special
 1700  elections or special primary elections, respectively, to fill a
 1701  vacancy in office or nomination. The Elections Canvassing
 1702  Commission shall certify results in accordance with s. 102.112
 1703  immediately, upon receipt of returns from the county in which a
 1704  special election is held, proceed to canvass the returns and
 1705  determine and declare the result thereof.
 1706         Section 28. Effective upon becoming a law, section 100.371,
 1707  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1708         100.371 Initiatives; procedure for placement on ballot.—
 1709         (1) Constitutional amendments proposed by initiative shall
 1710  be placed on the ballot for the general election, provided the
 1711  initiative petition has been filed with the Secretary of State
 1712  no later than February 1 of the year the general election is
 1713  held. A petition shall be deemed to be filed with the Secretary
 1714  of State upon the date the secretary determines that valid and
 1715  verified petition forms have been signed by the constitutionally
 1716  required number and distribution of electors under this code.
 1717         (2) The sponsor of an initiative amendment shall, before
 1718  circulating any initiative petition forms to voters prior to
 1719  obtaining any signatures, register as a political committee
 1720  pursuant to s. 106.03 and submit the text of the proposed
 1721  amendment to the Secretary of State, with the form on which the
 1722  signatures will be affixed, and shall obtain the approval of the
 1723  Secretary of State of such form. The Secretary of State shall
 1724  adopt rules pursuant to s. 120.54 prescribing the style and
 1725  requirements of such form. Upon filing with the Secretary of
 1726  State, the text of the proposed amendment and all forms filed in
 1727  connection with this section must, upon request, be made
 1728  available in alternative formats.
 1729         (3)(a) The division shall assign the initiative petition a
 1730  petition number and create the form on which signatures for the
 1731  initiative petition must be affixed. The petition form must
 1732  prominently display the petition number, the ballot title, and
 1733  the full text of the proposed amendment; must contain the date
 1734  approved by the Secretary of State, a barcode associated with
 1735  the initiative petition, and a serial number; and must solicit
 1736  and require all of the following information:
 1737         1.The full name of the voter.
 1738         2.The voter’s residential address and county.
 1739         3.The voter’s voter registration number or date of birth.
 1740         4.The voter’s Florida driver license number or Florida
 1741  identification card number, or the last four digits of the
 1742  voter’s social security number.
 1743         5.An attestation that the voter is a registered Florida
 1744  voter and is petitioning the Secretary of State to place the
 1745  proposed amendment on the ballot.
 1746         6.The voter’s signature and the date signed A person may
 1747  not collect signatures or initiative petitions for compensation
 1748  unless the person is registered as a petition circulator with
 1749  the Secretary of State.
 1750         (b) The petition form must include a notice that states
 1751  that the form becomes public record upon receipt by the
 1752  supervisor, that it is a first degree misdemeanor to knowingly
 1753  sign the same initiative petition more than once, and that the
 1754  form may not be validated if all requested information is not
 1755  provided A citizen may challenge a petition circulator’s
 1756  registration under this section by filing a petition in circuit
 1757  court. If the court finds that the respondent is not a
 1758  registered petition circulator, the court may enjoin the
 1759  respondent from collecting signatures or initiative petitions
 1760  for compensation until she or he is lawfully registered.
 1761         (4) An application for registration must be submitted in
 1762  the format required by the Secretary of State and must include
 1763  the following:
 1764         (a) The information required to be on the petition form
 1765  under s. 101.161, including the ballot summary and title as
 1766  approved by the Secretary of State.
 1767         (b) The applicant’s name, permanent address, temporary
 1768  address, if applicable, and date of birth.
 1769         (c) An address in this state at which the applicant will
 1770  accept service of process related to disputes concerning the
 1771  petition process, if the applicant is not a resident of this
 1772  state.
 1773         (d) A statement that the applicant consents to the
 1774  jurisdiction of the courts of this state in resolving disputes
 1775  concerning the petition process.
 1776         (e) Any information required by the Secretary of State to
 1777  verify the applicant’s identity or address.
 1778         (5) All petitions collected by a petition circulator must
 1779  contain, in a format required by the Secretary of State, a
 1780  completed Petition Circulator’s Affidavit which includes:
 1781         (a) The circulator’s name and permanent address;
 1782         (b) The following statement, which must be signed by the
 1783  circulator:
 1784  
 1785         By my signature below, as petition circulator, I
 1786         verify that the petition was signed in my presence.
 1787         Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read
 1788         the foregoing Petition Circulator’s Affidavit and the
 1789         facts stated in it are true.
 1790  
 1791         (6) The division or the supervisor of elections shall make
 1792  hard copy petition forms or electronic portable document format
 1793  petition forms available to registered petition circulators. All
 1794  such forms must contain information identifying the petition
 1795  circulator to which the forms are provided. The division shall
 1796  maintain a database of all registered petition circulators and
 1797  the petition forms assigned to each. Each supervisor of
 1798  elections shall provide to the division information on petition
 1799  forms assigned to and received from petition circulators. The
 1800  information must be provided in a format and at times as
 1801  required by the division by rule. The division must update
 1802  information on petition forms daily and make the information
 1803  publicly available.
 1804         (7)(a) A sponsor that collects petition forms or uses a
 1805  petition circulator to collect petition forms serves as a
 1806  fiduciary to the elector signing the petition form, ensuring
 1807  that any petition form entrusted to the petition circulator
 1808  shall be promptly delivered to the supervisor of elections
 1809  within 30 days after the elector signs the form. If a petition
 1810  form collected by any petition circulator is not promptly
 1811  delivered to the supervisor of elections, the sponsor is liable
 1812  for the following fines:
 1813         1. A fine in the amount of $50 for each petition form
 1814  received by the supervisor of elections more than 30 days after
 1815  the elector signed the petition form or the next business day,
 1816  if the office is closed. A fine in the amount of $250 for each
 1817  petition form received if the sponsor or petition circulator
 1818  acted willfully.
 1819         2. A fine in the amount of $500 for each petition form
 1820  collected by a petition circulator which is not submitted to the
 1821  supervisor of elections. A fine in the amount of $1,000 for any
 1822  petition form not submitted if the sponsor or petition
 1823  circulator acted willfully.
 1824         (b) A showing by the sponsor that the failure to deliver
 1825  the petition form within the required timeframe is based upon
 1826  force majeure or impossibility of performance is an affirmative
 1827  defense to a violation of this subsection. The fines described
 1828  in this subsection may be waived upon a showing that the failure
 1829  to deliver the petition form promptly is based upon force
 1830  majeure or impossibility of performance.
 1831         (8) If the Secretary of State reasonably believes that a
 1832  person or entity has committed a violation of this section, the
 1833  secretary may refer the matter to the Attorney General for
 1834  enforcement. The Attorney General may institute a civil action
 1835  for a violation of this section or to prevent a violation of
 1836  this section. An action for relief may include a permanent or
 1837  temporary injunction, a restraining order, or any other
 1838  appropriate order.
 1839         (5)(9) The division shall adopt by rule a complaint form
 1840  for an elector who claims to have had his or her signature
 1841  misrepresented or, forged, or not delivered to the supervisor.
 1842  The division shall also adopt rules to ensure the integrity of
 1843  the petition form gathering process, including rules requiring
 1844  sponsors to account for all petition forms used by their agents.
 1845  Such rules may require a sponsor or petition circulator to
 1846  provide identification information on each petition form as
 1847  determined by the department as needed to assist in the
 1848  accounting of petition forms.
 1849         (10) The date on which an elector signs a petition form is
 1850  presumed to be the date on which the petition circulator
 1851  received or collected the petition form.
 1852         (6)(a)(11)(a) An initiative petition form circulated for
 1853  signature may not be bundled with or attached to any other
 1854  petition. Each signature shall be dated when made and shall be
 1855  valid until the next February 1 occurring in an even-numbered
 1856  year for the purpose of the amendment appearing on the ballot
 1857  for the general election occurring in that same year, provided
 1858  all other requirements of law are met. The sponsor shall submit
 1859  signed and dated forms to the supervisor of elections for the
 1860  county of residence listed by the person signing the form for
 1861  verification of the number of valid signatures obtained. If a
 1862  signature on a petition is from a registered voter in another
 1863  county, the supervisor shall notify the petition sponsor of the
 1864  misfiled petition. The supervisor shall promptly verify the
 1865  signatures within 60 days after receipt of the petition forms
 1866  and payment of a fee for the actual cost of signature
 1867  verification incurred by the supervisor. However, for petition
 1868  forms submitted less than 60 days before February 1 of an even
 1869  numbered year, the supervisor shall promptly verify the
 1870  signatures within 30 days after receipt of the form and payment
 1871  of the fee for signature verification. The supervisor shall
 1872  promptly record, in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of
 1873  State, the date each form is received by the supervisor, and the
 1874  date the signature on the form is verified as valid. The
 1875  supervisor may verify that the signature on a form is valid only
 1876  if:
 1877         1. The petition form is a circulated petition form properly
 1878  verified pursuant to s. 100.373; or The form contains the
 1879  original signature of the purported elector.
 1880         2. The petition form is a requested petition form properly
 1881  verified pursuant to s. 100.375 The purported elector has
 1882  accurately recorded on the form the date on which he or she
 1883  signed the form.
 1884         3. The form sets forth the purported elector’s name,
 1885  address, city, county, and voter registration number or date of
 1886  birth.
 1887         4. The purported elector is, at the time he or she signs
 1888  the form and at the time the form is verified, a duly qualified
 1889  and registered elector in the state.
 1890         5. The signature was obtained legally, including that if a
 1891  paid petition circulator was used, the circulator was validly
 1892  registered under subsection (3) when the signature was obtained.
 1893  
 1894  The supervisor shall retain all signed petition signature forms,
 1895  separating forms verified as valid from those deemed invalid,
 1896  for at least 1 year following the election for which the
 1897  petition was circulated. Notwithstanding any other law, the
 1898  supervisor shall promptly transmit copies of signed petition
 1899  forms to the division upon request.
 1900         (b) Each supervisor shall post the actual cost of signature
 1901  verification on his or her website and may increase such cost,
 1902  as necessary, annually on March 1 February 2 of each even
 1903  numbered year. The cost includes, but is not limited to, costs
 1904  incurred processing and fulfilling requests, comparing
 1905  signatures, and validating information on circulated and
 1906  requested petition forms pursuant to ss. 100.373 and 100.375,
 1907  respectively. The division shall also publish each county’s
 1908  current cost on its website. The division and each supervisor
 1909  shall biennially review available technology aimed at reducing
 1910  verification costs.
 1911         (c) On the last day of each month, or on the last day of
 1912  each week from December 1 of an odd-numbered year through
 1913  February 1 of the following year, each supervisor shall post on
 1914  his or her website the total number of signatures submitted, the
 1915  total number of invalid signatures, the total number of
 1916  signatures processed, and the aggregate number of verified valid
 1917  signatures and the distribution of such signatures by
 1918  congressional district for each proposed amendment proposed by
 1919  initiative, along with the following information specific to the
 1920  reporting period: the total number of signed petition forms
 1921  received, the total number of signatures verified, the
 1922  distribution of verified valid signatures by congressional
 1923  district, and the total number of verified petition forms
 1924  forwarded to the Secretary of State.
 1925         (7)(a)(12) The Secretary of State shall determine from the
 1926  signatures verified by the supervisors of elections the total
 1927  number of verified valid signatures and the distribution of such
 1928  signatures by congressional districts, and the division shall
 1929  post such information on its website at the same intervals
 1930  specified in paragraph (6)(c) (11)(c). Upon a determination that
 1931  the requisite number and distribution of valid signatures have
 1932  been obtained, the secretary shall issue a certificate of ballot
 1933  position for that proposed amendment and shall assign a
 1934  designating number pursuant to s. 101.161. The Secretary of
 1935  State shall rescind the certificate of ballot position if:
 1936         1.An advisory opinion issued by the Supreme Court pursuant
 1937  to s. 3(b)(10), Art. V of the State Constitution deems the
 1938  initiative petition invalid; or
 1939         2.The Secretary of State determines, before August 1 of
 1940  the year the general election is held, that the initiative
 1941  petition did not obtain the requisite number or distribution of
 1942  valid signatures.
 1943         (b)The issuance of a certificate of ballot position
 1944  pursuant to paragraph (a) may be contested in the circuit court
 1945  by any voter. The contestant must file a complaint with the
 1946  clerk of the circuit court for Leon County no later than the
 1947  first Tuesday after the first Monday in January after the
 1948  election for which the petition was circulated. The complaint
 1949  must set forth the grounds on which the contestant intends to
 1950  establish that the initiative petition did not obtain the
 1951  requisite number or distribution of valid signatures.
 1952         (8)(a)(13)(a) At the same time the Secretary of State
 1953  submits an initiative petition to the Attorney General pursuant
 1954  to s. 15.21, the secretary shall submit a copy of the initiative
 1955  petition to a panel composed of Trustees of the State Board of
 1956  Administration or their appointees the Financial Impact
 1957  Estimating Conference. Within 75 days after receipt of a
 1958  proposed revision or amendment to the State Constitution by
 1959  initiative petition from the Secretary of State, the panel
 1960  Financial Impact Estimating Conference shall complete a
 1961  statement on the an analysis and financial impact to the state
 1962  budget statement to be placed on the ballot of the estimated
 1963  increase or decrease in any revenues or costs to state or local
 1964  governments and the overall impact to the state budget resulting
 1965  from the proposed initiative. The 75-day time limit is tolled
 1966  when the Legislature is in session. The panel Financial Impact
 1967  Estimating Conference shall submit the financial impact
 1968  statement to the Attorney General and Secretary of State. If the
 1969  initiative petition has been submitted to the panel Financial
 1970  Impact Estimating Conference but the validity of signatures has
 1971  expired and the initiative petition no longer qualifies for
 1972  ballot placement at the ensuing general election, the Secretary
 1973  of State must notify the panel Financial Impact Estimating
 1974  Conference. The panel Financial Impact Estimating Conference is
 1975  not required to complete a an analysis and financial impact
 1976  statement for an initiative petition that fails to meet the
 1977  requirements of subsection (1) for placement on the ballot
 1978  before the 75-day time limit, including any tolling period,
 1979  expires. The initiative petition may be resubmitted to the panel
 1980  Financial Impact Estimating Conference if the initiative
 1981  petition meets the requisite criteria for a subsequent general
 1982  election cycle. A new Financial Impact Estimating Conference
 1983  shall be established at such time as the initiative petition
 1984  again satisfies the criteria in s. 15.21(1).
 1985         (b) Immediately upon receipt of a proposed revision or
 1986  amendment from the Secretary of State, the coordinator of the
 1987  Office of Economic and Demographic Research shall contact the
 1988  person identified as the sponsor to request an official list of
 1989  all persons authorized to speak on behalf of the named sponsor
 1990  and, if there is one, the sponsoring organization at meetings
 1991  held by the Financial Impact Estimating Conference. All other
 1992  persons shall be deemed interested parties or proponents or
 1993  opponents of the initiative. The Financial Impact Estimating
 1994  Conference shall provide an opportunity for any representatives
 1995  of the sponsor, interested parties, proponents, or opponents of
 1996  the initiative to submit information and may solicit information
 1997  or analysis from any other entities or agencies, including the
 1998  Office of Economic and Demographic Research.
 1999         (c) All meetings of the panel Financial Impact Estimating
 2000  Conference shall be open to the public. The panel shall prepare
 2001  The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
 2002  Representatives, jointly, shall be the sole judge for the
 2003  interpretation, implementation, and enforcement of this
 2004  subsection.
 2005         1. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference is
 2006  established to review, analyze, and estimate the financial
 2007  impact of amendments to or revisions of the State Constitution
 2008  proposed by initiative. The Financial Impact Estimating
 2009  Conference shall consist of four principals: one person from the
 2010  Executive Office of the Governor; the coordinator of the Office
 2011  of Economic and Demographic Research, or his or her designee;
 2012  one person from the professional staff of the Senate; and one
 2013  person from the professional staff of the House of
 2014  Representatives. Each principal shall have appropriate fiscal
 2015  expertise in the subject matter of the initiative. A Financial
 2016  Impact Estimating Conference may be appointed for each
 2017  initiative.
 2018         2. Principals of the Financial Impact Estimating Conference
 2019  shall reach a consensus or majority concurrence on a clear and
 2020  unambiguous financial impact statement, no more than 150 words
 2021  in length, and immediately submit the statement to the Secretary
 2022  of State Attorney General. Nothing in this subsection prohibits
 2023  the panel Financial Impact Estimating Conference from setting
 2024  forth a range of potential impacts in the financial impact
 2025  statement. Any financial impact statement that a court finds not
 2026  to be in accordance with this section shall be remanded solely
 2027  to the Financial Impact Estimating Conference for redrafting.
 2028  The panel may Financial Impact Estimating Conference shall
 2029  redraft the financial impact statement before the 75th day
 2030  before the election within 15 days.
 2031         3. If the Supreme Court has rejected the initial submission
 2032  by the Financial Impact Estimating Conference and no redraft has
 2033  been approved by the Supreme Court by 5 p.m. on the 75th day
 2034  before the election, the following statement shall appear on the
 2035  ballot: “The impact of this measure, if any, has not been
 2036  determined at this time.”
 2037         (c)(d) The financial impact statement must be separately
 2038  contained and be set forth after the ballot summary and
 2039  disclosure of material legal effects as required in s.
 2040  101.161(1).
 2041         1. If the financial impact statement projects a net
 2042  negative impact on the state budget, the ballot must include the
 2043  statement required by s. 101.161(1)(c) s. 101.161(1)(b).
 2044         2. If the financial impact statement projects a net
 2045  positive impact on the state budget, the ballot must include the
 2046  statement required by s. 101.161(1)(d) s. 101.161(1)(c).
 2047         3. If the financial impact statement estimates an
 2048  indeterminate financial impact or if the members of the panel
 2049  Financial Impact Estimating Conference are unable to agree on
 2050  the statement required by this subsection, the ballot must
 2051  include the statement required by s. 101.161(1)(e) s.
 2052  101.161(1)(d).
 2053         (d)1.(e)1. Any financial impact statement that the Supreme
 2054  Court finds not to be in accordance with this subsection shall
 2055  be remanded solely to the Financial Impact Estimating Conference
 2056  for redrafting, provided the court’s advisory opinion is
 2057  rendered at least 75 days before the election at which the
 2058  question of ratifying the amendment will be presented. The
 2059  Financial Impact Estimating Conference shall prepare and adopt a
 2060  revised financial impact statement no later than 5 p.m. on the
 2061  15th day after the date of the court’s opinion.
 2062         2. If, by 5 p.m. on the 75th day before the election, the
 2063  Supreme Court has not issued an advisory opinion on the initial
 2064  financial impact statement prepared by the Financial Impact
 2065  Estimating Conference for an initiative amendment that otherwise
 2066  meets the legal requirements for ballot placement, the financial
 2067  impact statement shall be deemed approved for placement on the
 2068  ballot.
 2069         3. In addition to the financial impact statement required
 2070  by this subsection, the panel Financial Impact Estimating
 2071  Conference shall draft an initiative financial information
 2072  statement. The initiative financial information statement should
 2073  describe in greater detail than the financial impact statement
 2074  any projected increase or decrease in revenues or costs that the
 2075  state or local governments would likely experience if the ballot
 2076  measure were approved. If appropriate, the initiative financial
 2077  information statement may include both estimated dollar amounts
 2078  and a description placing the estimated dollar amounts into
 2079  context. The initiative financial information statement must
 2080  include both a summary of not more than 500 words and additional
 2081  detailed information that includes the assumptions that were
 2082  made to develop the financial impacts, workpapers, and any other
 2083  information deemed relevant by the Financial Impact Estimating
 2084  Conference.
 2085         2.4. The Department of State shall have printed, and shall
 2086  furnish to each supervisor of elections, a copy of the summary
 2087  from the initiative financial information statements. The
 2088  supervisors shall have the summary from the initiative financial
 2089  information statements available at each polling place and at
 2090  the main office of the supervisor of elections upon request.
 2091         3.5. The Secretary of State and the Office of Economic and
 2092  Demographic Research shall make available on the Internet each
 2093  initiative financial information statement in its entirety. In
 2094  addition, each supervisor of elections whose office has a
 2095  website shall post the summary from each initiative financial
 2096  information statement on the website. Each supervisor shall
 2097  include a copy of each summary from the initiative financial
 2098  information statements and the Internet addresses for the
 2099  information statements on the Secretary of State’s website and
 2100  the Office of Economic and Demographic Research’s websites in
 2101  the publication or mailing required by s. 101.20.
 2102         (9)(14) The Department of State may adopt rules in
 2103  accordance with s. 120.54 to carry out the provisions of
 2104  subsections (1)-(8) (1)-(14).
 2105         (10)(15) No provision of this code shall be deemed to
 2106  prohibit a private person exercising lawful control over
 2107  privately owned property, including property held open to the
 2108  public for the purposes of a commercial enterprise, from
 2109  excluding from such property persons seeking to engage in
 2110  activity supporting or opposing initiative amendments.
 2111         Section 29. Effective upon becoming a law, section 100.373,
 2112  Florida Statutes, is created to read:
 2113         100.373 Circulated petition forms; verification.—
 2114         (1)For the purposes of this chapter, the term “circulated
 2115  petition form” means an initiative petition form circulated
 2116  pursuant to s. 100.371, or a candidate petition form circulated
 2117  pursuant to s. 99.095, which has not been requested pursuant to
 2118  s. 100.375.
 2119         (2)A voter may submit a signed circulated petition form at
 2120  any supervisor of elections office located within the county in
 2121  which the voter is registered to vote. A circulated petition
 2122  form is valid only if the supervisor verifies that:
 2123         (a)The voter presenting the circulated petition form is
 2124  identified and his or her signature is verified pursuant to
 2125  subsection (3);
 2126         (b)The voter accurately recorded on the form the date on
 2127  which he or she signed the form;
 2128         (c)The form accurately sets forth the voter’s name,
 2129  address, city, county, and voter registration number or date of
 2130  birth;
 2131         (d)The form accurately sets forth the voter’s driver
 2132  license number, the voter’s Florida identification card number,
 2133  or the last four digits of the voter’s social security number;
 2134  and
 2135         (e)The voter is, at the time he or she signs the form and
 2136  at the time the form is verified, an active and duly qualified
 2137  and registered voter in this state.
 2138         (3)(a)The supervisor shall require the voter to present
 2139  one of the following forms of current and valid picture
 2140  identification:
 2141         1.Florida driver license.
 2142         2.Florida identification card issued by the Department of
 2143  Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
 2144         3.United States passport.
 2145         4.United States Uniformed Services or Merchant Marine
 2146  identification.
 2147         5.Veteran health identification card issued by the United
 2148  States Department of Veterans Affairs.
 2149         6.License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued
 2150  pursuant to s. 790.06.
 2151         7.Employee identification card issued by any branch,
 2152  department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the
 2153  state, a county, or a municipality.
 2154         (b)If the information on the picture identification
 2155  matches the information on the circulated petition form and the
 2156  supervisor is satisfied that the person presenting the
 2157  circulated petition form is the person shown on the picture
 2158  identification, the supervisor must deem the petition form
 2159  submitted. The supervisor shall then verify that the signature
 2160  on the circulated petition form matches a signature on file for
 2161  the voter in the Florida Voter Registration System.
 2162         Section 30. Effective upon becoming a law, section 100.375,
 2163  Florida Statutes, is created to read:
 2164         100.375 Requested petition forms; verification.—
 2165         (1)DEFINITION.—For purposes of this chapter, the term
 2166  “requested petition form” means an initiative petition form
 2167  created pursuant to s. 100.371, or a candidate petition form
 2168  created pursuant to s. 99.095, which is requested pursuant to
 2169  this section.
 2170         (2)REQUEST.—
 2171         (a)A supervisor shall accept a request for a petition form
 2172  only from a voter or, if directly instructed by the voter, a
 2173  member of the voter’s immediate family or the voter’s legal
 2174  guardian. A request may be made in person, in writing, by
 2175  telephone, or through the supervisor’s website. The supervisor
 2176  shall cancel a request for a petition form when any first-class
 2177  mail or nonforwardable mail sent by the supervisor to the voter
 2178  is returned as undeliverable. If the voter requests a petition
 2179  form thereafter, the voter must provide or confirm his or her
 2180  current residential address.
 2181         (b)The supervisor may accept a request for a petition form
 2182  to be mailed to a voter’s address on file in the Florida Voter
 2183  Registration System from the voter, or, if directly instructed
 2184  by the voter, from a member of the voter’s immediate family or
 2185  the voter’s legal guardian. If an in-person or a telephonic
 2186  request is made, the voter must provide the voter’s Florida
 2187  driver license number, the voter’s Florida identification card
 2188  number, or the last 4 digits of the voter’s social security
 2189  number. If the petition form is requested to be mailed to an
 2190  address other than the voter’s address on file in the Florida
 2191  Voter Registration System, the request must be made in writing.
 2192  A written request must be signed by the voter and include the
 2193  voter’s Florida driver license number, the voter’s Florida
 2194  identification card number, or the last 4 digits of the voter’s
 2195  social security number. The division shall create a uniform
 2196  application to request a candidate or initiative petition form.
 2197  The application must solicit and require the following
 2198  information:
 2199         1.The full name of the voter for whom the petition form is
 2200  requested;
 2201         2.The voter’s residential address and county and the
 2202  voter’s mailing address if different than the voter’s
 2203  residential address;
 2204         3.The voter’s voter registration number or date of birth;
 2205         4.The voter’s Florida driver license number, the voter’s
 2206  Florida identification card number, or last 4 digits of the
 2207  voter’s social security number;
 2208         5.The requester’s name, if applicable;
 2209         6.The requester’s residential address, if applicable;
 2210         7.The requester’s Florida driver license number, the
 2211  requester’s Florida identification card number, or the last 4
 2212  digits of the requester’s social security number, if applicable;
 2213         8.The requester’s relationship to the voter, if
 2214  applicable;
 2215         9.An affidavit stating that the requester is authorized by
 2216  the voter to request a petition form on the voter’s behalf, if
 2217  applicable;
 2218         10.The voter’s signature and the date signed or the
 2219  requester’s signature and the date signed; and
 2220         11.If the petition form requested is for an initiative
 2221  petition, the ballot title and initiative petition number
 2222  assigned by the division.
 2223         (c)For the purposes of this section, the term “immediate
 2224  family” refers to the following, as applicable:
 2225         1.The voter’s spouse, parent, child, grandparent,
 2226  grandchild, or sibling, or the parent, child, grandparent,
 2227  grandchild, or sibling of the voter’s spouse.
 2228         2.The designee’s spouse, parent, child, grandparent,
 2229  grandchild, or sibling, or the parent, child, grandparent,
 2230  grandchild, or sibling of the designee’s spouse.
 2231         (3)PETITION FORM REQUEST INFORMATION.—For each request for
 2232  a petition form received, the supervisor shall record the
 2233  following information and provide such information in an
 2234  electronic format as required by division rule:
 2235         (a)The date the request was made;
 2236         (b)The initiative petition number, if any;
 2237         (c)The identity of the voter’s designee making the
 2238  request, if applicable;
 2239         (d)The voter’s Florida driver license number, voter’s
 2240  Florida identification card number, or last 4 digits of the
 2241  voter’s social security number provided with a written request;
 2242         (e)The date the petition form was delivered to the voter
 2243  or the voter’s designee or the date the petition form was
 2244  delivered to the post office or other carrier;
 2245         (f)The address to which the petition form was mailed or
 2246  the identity of the voter’s designee to whom the petition form
 2247  was delivered, if applicable;
 2248         (g)The date the petition form was received by the
 2249  supervisor;
 2250         (h)The absence of the voter’s signature and the Voter’s
 2251  Certificate, if applicable;
 2252         (i)Whether the Voter’s Certificate contains a signature
 2253  that does not match a signature on file for the voter in the
 2254  Florida Voter Registration System; and
 2255         (j)Any other information the supervisor deems necessary.
 2256         (4)DELIVERY OF PETITION FORMS.—
 2257         (a)For the purposes of this section, the term “petition
 2258  deadline” means:
 2259         1.In the case of an initiative petition, the 30th day
 2260  preceding February 1 of the year the general election is held.
 2261         2.In the case of a candidate petition, the 28th day
 2262  preceding the first day of the qualifying period for the office
 2263  sought.
 2264         (b)The supervisor shall mail petition forms within 5
 2265  business days after receiving a request for such forms. However,
 2266  the supervisor shall mail petition forms that are requested
 2267  pursuant to this section on or before July 1, 2025, and no later
 2268  than July 5, 2025.
 2269         (c)The deadline to submit a request for a petition form to
 2270  be mailed is 5 p.m. local time on the 10th day before the
 2271  petition deadline.
 2272         (d)Upon request for a petition form, the supervisor shall
 2273  provide a petition form to each voter who has made a request for
 2274  such petition form, by one of the following means:
 2275         1.By nonforwardable, return-if-undeliverable mail to the
 2276  voter’s current mailing address on file with the supervisor or
 2277  any other address the voter specifies in the request. The
 2278  envelopes must be prominently marked “Do Not Forward.”
 2279         2.By personal delivery to the voter up to 5 p.m. on the
 2280  third day before the petition deadline upon presentation of the
 2281  identification required by s. 101.043.
 2282         3.By delivery to the voter’s designee up to 5 p.m. on the
 2283  third day before the petition deadline. Any voter may designate
 2284  in writing a person to pick up the petition form for the voter;
 2285  however, the person designated may not pick up more than 2
 2286  petition forms per petition, other than the designee’s own
 2287  petition form, except that additional petition forms may be
 2288  picked up for members of the designee’s immediate family. The
 2289  designee shall provide to the supervisor the written
 2290  authorization by the voter, the designee’s picture
 2291  identification and a completed affidavit. The designee shall
 2292  state in the affidavit that the designee is authorized by the
 2293  voter to pick up the petition form and must indicate if the
 2294  voter is a member of the designee’s immediate family, and, if
 2295  so, the relationship. The department shall prescribe the form of
 2296  the affidavit. If the supervisor is satisfied that the designee
 2297  is authorized to pick up the petition form and that the
 2298  signature of the voter on the written authorization matches the
 2299  signature of the voter on file, the supervisor must give the
 2300  petition form to the designee for delivery to the voter.
 2301         (e)If a requested petition form is mailed to an address
 2302  other than the voter’s address on file in the Florida Voter
 2303  Registration System or delivered to a designee, the supervisor
 2304  must mail a notice letter to the voter’s address on file with
 2305  the Florida Voter Registration System.
 2306         (5)MATERIALS.—Only the materials necessary to submit a
 2307  petition form may be mailed or delivered with any petition form.
 2308         (6)PROHIBITION.—A supervisor may not send a petition form
 2309  to a voter unless the voter has requested a petition form in the
 2310  manner authorized under this section.
 2311         (7)MAILING ENVELOPE.—
 2312         (a)The supervisor shall enclose with each petition form a
 2313  mailing envelope that must be addressed to the supervisor and
 2314  also bear on the back side a certificate in substantially the
 2315  following form:
 2316  
 2317           Note: Please Read Instructions Carefully Before         
 2318    Completing Petition Form and Completing Voter’s Certificate.   
 2319  
 2320                         VOTER’S CERTIFICATE                       
 2321         I, ...., do solemnly swear or affirm that I am a qualified
 2322  and registered voter of .... County, Florida, and that I have
 2323  not and will not submit more than one petition form for this
 2324  initiative. I understand that if I commit or attempt to commit
 2325  any fraud in connection with a petition, submit a fraudulent
 2326  petition form, or submit more than one petition form for the
 2327  same initiative, I can be convicted of a misdemeanor of the
 2328  first degree and fined up to $1,000 and/or imprisoned for up to
 2329  a year. I also understand that failure to sign this certificate
 2330  will invalidate my petition form.
 2331  ...(Date)...
 2332  ...(Voter’s Signature)...
 2333  ...(E-Mail Address)...
 2334  ...(Home Telephone Number)...
 2335  ...(Mobile Telephone Number)...
 2336  
 2337         (b)Each return mailing envelope must bear the voter’s name
 2338  and any encoded mark used by the supervisor’s office.
 2339         (c)A mailing envelope may not bear any indication of the
 2340  political affiliation of a voter.
 2341         (8)PLACEMENT OF THE VOTER’S CERTIFICATE.—The certificate
 2342  must be arranged on the back of the mailing envelope so that the
 2343  line for the signature of the voter is across the seal of the
 2344  envelope; however, no statement shall appear on the envelope
 2345  which indicates that a signature of the voter must cross the
 2346  seal of the envelope. The voter shall execute the certificate on
 2347  the envelope.
 2348         (9)INSTRUCTIONS.—The supervisor shall enclose with each
 2349  petition form separate printed instructions in substantially the
 2350  following form; however, where the instructions appear in
 2351  capitalized text, the text of the printed instructions must be
 2352  in boldface type:
 2353  
 2354         READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING
 2355  PETITION FORM.
 2356  
 2357         1.VERY IMPORTANT. In order to ensure that your petition
 2358  form will be counted, it should be completed and returned as
 2359  soon as possible so that it can reach the supervisor of
 2360  elections of your county of residence no later than 5 p.m. on
 2361  [INSERT PETITION DEADLINE].
 2362         2.Place your completed petition form into the enclosed
 2363  mailing envelope, which is addressed to the supervisor.
 2364         3.Seal the mailing envelope and completely fill out the
 2365  Voter’s Certificate on the back of the mailing envelope.
 2366         4.VERY IMPORTANT. In order for your petition form to be
 2367  counted, you must sign your name on the line above (Voter’s
 2368  Signature). A petition form will not be counted if the signature
 2369  on the petition form does not match the signature on record. The
 2370  signature on file at the time the supervisor of elections in
 2371  your county of residence receives your petition form is the
 2372  signature that will be used to verify your signature on the
 2373  Voter’s Certificate. If you need to update your signature for
 2374  this election, send your signature update on a voter
 2375  registration application to your supervisor of elections so that
 2376  it is received before your petition form is received.
 2377         5.Mail, deliver, or have delivered the completed mailing
 2378  envelope. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed. THE
 2379  COMPLETED MAILING ENVELOPE MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE OFFICE OF
 2380  THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OF YOUR COUNTY OF RESIDENCE.
 2381         6.FELONY NOTICE. It is a felony under Florida law to
 2382  accept any gift, payment, or gratuity in exchange for your
 2383  submission of a petition form. It is also a felony under Florida
 2384  law to submit a petition form using a false identity or false
 2385  address, or under any other circumstances making your petition
 2386  form false or fraudulent.
 2387         7.DEADLINE NOTICE. To ensure that your petition form
 2388  counts, your supervisor of elections must receive your petition
 2389  form by 5 p.m. [INSERT PETITION DEADLINE]. If you wait to mail
 2390  your petition form, it might not count. To prevent this from
 2391  occurring, please mail or turn in your petition form as soon as
 2392  possible.
 2393  
 2394         (10)REQUEST NOT TO PRECLUDE SUBMISSION OF A CIRCULATED
 2395  PETITION FORM.—The provisions of this chapter may not be
 2396  construed to prohibit a voter who has requested a petition form
 2397  pursuant to this section from submitting a circulated petition
 2398  form pursuant to s. 100.373, provided that the voter submits no
 2399  more than one signed petition form for the same initiative or
 2400  candidate petition.
 2401         (11)ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITIES.—It is the intent of the
 2402  Legislature that submitting petition forms be by methods that
 2403  are fully accessible to all voters, including voters having a
 2404  disability. The department shall work with the supervisors and
 2405  the disability community to develop and implement procedures and
 2406  technologies that include processes for providing petition
 2407  forms, upon request, in alternative formats that allow all
 2408  voters to submit a petition form without the assistance of
 2409  another person.
 2410         (12)VERIFICATION.—A requested petition form is valid only
 2411  if the supervisor verifies that:
 2412         (a)The petition form was returned in a mailing envelope
 2413  delivered by the supervisor pursuant to subsection (7) and the
 2414  voter completed the voter certificate;
 2415         (b)The signature on the petition form matches a signature
 2416  on file for the voter in the Florida Voter Registration System;
 2417         (c)The voter accurately recorded on the form the date on
 2418  which the voter signed the form;
 2419         (d)The form accurately sets forth the voter’s name,
 2420  address, city, county, and voter registration number or date of
 2421  birth;
 2422         (e)The form accurately sets forth the voter’s Florida
 2423  driver license number, the voter’s Florida identification card
 2424  number, or the last 4 digits of the voter’s social security
 2425  number; and
 2426         (f)The voter is, at the time he or she signs the form and
 2427  at the time the form is verified, an active and duly qualified
 2428  and registered voter in this state.
 2429         (13)POSTHUMOUS VERIFICATION.—An otherwise valid petition
 2430  form may not be invalidated because the voter died after
 2431  submitting the petition.
 2432         Section 31. Effective upon becoming a law, section 100.377,
 2433  Florida Statutes, is created to read:
 2434         100.377 Signatures gathered for initiative petition; effect
 2435  of this act.—Any initiative petition form approved by the
 2436  Secretary of State before the effective date of this act may
 2437  continue to be circulated. Any signature gathered on an
 2438  authorized form for an initiative petition or candidate petition
 2439  submitted to a supervisor of elections before the effective date
 2440  of this act may be kept and counted, if otherwise valid, and
 2441  that form is not required to be circulated and verified pursuant
 2442  to s. 100.373 or requested and verified pursuant to s. 100.375.
 2443  However, any signature submitted to a supervisor of elections
 2444  after the effective date of this act is subject to the
 2445  provisions of this act.
 2446         Section 32. Subsection (1) of section 101.043, Florida
 2447  Statutes, is amended to read:
 2448         101.043 Identification required at polls.—
 2449         (1)(a) The precinct register, as prescribed in s. 98.461,
 2450  must shall be used at the polls for the purpose of identifying
 2451  the elector at the polls before allowing him or her to vote. The
 2452  clerk or inspector shall require each elector, upon entering the
 2453  polling place, to present one of the following current and valid
 2454  picture identifications:
 2455         1. Florida driver license.
 2456         2. Florida identification card issued by the Department of
 2457  Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
 2458         3. United States passport or passport card.
 2459         4. Debit or credit card.
 2460         5.United States uniformed services or Merchant Marine
 2461  Military identification.
 2462         6. Student identification.
 2463         7. Retirement center identification.
 2464         8. Neighborhood association identification.
 2465         9. Public assistance identification.
 2466         5.10. Veteran health identification card issued by the
 2467  United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
 2468         6.11. A license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm
 2469  issued pursuant to s. 790.06.
 2470         7.12.Any other Employee identification card issued by any
 2471  branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government,
 2472  the state, a county, or a municipality.
 2473         (b) If the picture identification does not contain the
 2474  signature of the elector, an additional identification that
 2475  provides the elector’s signature is shall be required. The
 2476  address appearing on the identification presented by the elector
 2477  may not be used as the basis to challenge an elector’s legal
 2478  residence. The elector must shall sign his or her name in the
 2479  space provided on the precinct register or on an electronic
 2480  device provided for recording the elector’s signature. The clerk
 2481  or inspector shall compare the signature with that on the
 2482  identification provided by the elector and enter his or her
 2483  initials in the space provided on the precinct register or on an
 2484  electronic device provided for that purpose and allow the
 2485  elector to vote if the clerk or inspector is satisfied as to the
 2486  identity of the elector.
 2487         Section 33. Paragraph (d) of subsection (6) of section
 2488  101.048, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 2489         101.048 Provisional ballots.—
 2490         (6)
 2491         (d) Instructions must accompany the cure affidavit in
 2492  substantially the following form:
 2493  
 2494         READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE
 2495  AFFIDAVIT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR
 2496  BALLOT NOT TO COUNT.
 2497  
 2498         1. In order to cure the missing signature or the signature
 2499  discrepancy on your Provisional Ballot Voter’s Certificate and
 2500  Affirmation, your affidavit should be completed and returned as
 2501  soon as possible so that it can reach the supervisor of
 2502  elections of the county in which your precinct is located no
 2503  later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election.
 2504         2. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter’s
 2505  Signature).
 2506         3. You must make a copy of one of the following forms of
 2507  identification:
 2508         a. Tier 1 identification.—Current and valid identification
 2509  that includes your name and photograph: Florida driver license;
 2510  Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway
 2511  Safety and Motor Vehicles; United States passport or passport
 2512  card; debit or credit card; United States Uniformed Services or
 2513  Merchant Marine military identification; student identification;
 2514  retirement center identification; neighborhood association
 2515  identification; public assistance identification; veteran health
 2516  identification card issued by the United States Department of
 2517  Veterans Affairs; Florida license to carry a concealed weapon or
 2518  firearm; or any other employee identification card issued by any
 2519  branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government,
 2520  the state, a county, or a municipality; or
 2521         b. Tier 2 identification.—ONLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TIER 1
 2522  FORM OF IDENTIFICATION, identification that shows your name and
 2523  current residence address: current utility bill; bank statement;
 2524  government check; paycheck; or government document (excluding
 2525  voter information card).
 2526         4. Place the envelope bearing the affidavit into a mailing
 2527  envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy of your
 2528  identification in the mailing envelope. Mail (if time permits),
 2529  deliver, or have delivered the completed affidavit along with
 2530  the copy of your identification to your county supervisor of
 2531  elections. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed and
 2532  that the supervisor’s address is correct. Remember, your
 2533  information MUST reach your county supervisor of elections no
 2534  later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day following the election or your
 2535  ballot will not count.
 2536         5. Alternatively, you may fax or e-mail your completed
 2537  affidavit and a copy of your identification to the supervisor of
 2538  elections. If e-mailing, please provide these documents as
 2539  attachments.
 2540         6. Submitting a provisional ballot affidavit does not
 2541  establish your eligibility to vote in this election or guarantee
 2542  that your ballot will be counted. The county canvassing board
 2543  determines your eligibility to vote through information provided
 2544  on the Provisional Ballot Voter’s Certificate and Affirmation,
 2545  written evidence provided by you, including information in your
 2546  cure affidavit along with any supporting identification, and any
 2547  other evidence presented by the supervisor of elections or a
 2548  challenger. You may still be required to present additional
 2549  written evidence to support your eligibility to vote.
 2550         Section 34. Section 101.111, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2551  to read:
 2552         101.111 Voter challenges.—
 2553         (1)(a) Any registered voter elector or poll watcher of a
 2554  county or an election official acting in their official capacity
 2555  in the county may challenge at the polls or during early voting
 2556  the right of a person to vote in that county. A separate oath is
 2557  required for each challenge. The challenge must be in writing
 2558  and contain the following oath, which must shall be delivered to
 2559  the clerk or inspector:
 2560  
 2561                  OATH OF PERSON ENTERING CHALLENGE                
 2562  
 2563  State of Florida
 2564  County of ....
 2565  
 2566  I do solemnly swear or affirm that my name is ....; that I am a
 2567  member of the .... Party; that I am a registered voter or poll
 2568  watcher pollwatcher; that my residence address is ...., in the
 2569  municipality of ....; and that I have reason to believe that
 2570  .... is attempting to vote illegally and the reasons for my
 2571  belief are set forth herein to wit: 	
 2572  ................................................................
 2573  ................................................................
 2574  ...(Signature of person challenging voter)...
 2575  ...(oath executed as a registered voter or poll watcher)...
 2576  
 2577  Sworn and subscribed to before me this .... day of ....,
 2578  ...(year)....
 2579  ...(Clerk of election)...
 2580  
 2581                      OATH OF ELECTION OFFICIAL                    
 2582                  ASSERTING INELIGIBILITY OF VOTER                 
 2583  
 2584  State of Florida
 2585  County of ....
 2586  
 2587  I do solemnly swear or affirm that my name is ....; that I am in
 2588  my official capacity as an election official asserting based on
 2589  credible and reliable information that ...the voter... is
 2590  attempting to vote illegally and the reasons for my belief are
 2591  set forth herein to wit: 	
 2592  ................................................................
 2593  ................................................................
 2594  ...(Signature of election official challenging voter)...
 2595  
 2596  Sworn and subscribed to before me this .... day of ....,
 2597  ...(year)....
 2598  ...(Signature and title of official administering oath)...
 2599  
 2600         (b)1.If the challenge is made at the county’s early voting
 2601  site or at the polling place on election day, the oath must be
 2602  delivered to the clerk or inspector. The clerk or inspector
 2603  shall immediately deliver to the challenged person a copy of the
 2604  oath of the person entering the challenge, and the challenged
 2605  voter must shall be allowed to cast a provisional ballot in
 2606  accordance with s. 101.048, except as provided in subparagraph
 2607  2.
 2608         2. If the basis for the challenge is that the person’s
 2609  legal residence is not in that precinct, the person shall first
 2610  be given the opportunity to execute a change of legal residence
 2611  in order to be able to vote a regular ballot in accordance with
 2612  s. 101.045(2). If the change of legal residence is such that the
 2613  person is then properly registered for that precinct, the person
 2614  shall be allowed to vote a regular ballot. If the change of
 2615  legal residence places the person in another precinct, the
 2616  person shall be directed to the proper precinct to vote. If such
 2617  person insists that he or she is currently in the proper
 2618  precinct, the person shall be allowed to vote a provisional
 2619  ballot in accordance with s. 101.048.
 2620         (c) Alternatively, A challenge may be made in advance in
 2621  accordance with this section may be filed in advance with the
 2622  supervisor of elections but no sooner than 45 30 days before an
 2623  election and not at the early voting site during the early
 2624  voting period or polling place on election day.
 2625         1.The oath must be delivered to the supervisor’s office.
 2626  The supervisor’s office shall, as soon as practicable, notify a
 2627  challenged voter by:
 2628         a.First-class mail with a copy of the written challenge,
 2629  and notice of rights pursuant to s. 101.048;
 2630         b.E-mail, if available in the record, with a scanned copy
 2631  of the written challenge and notice of rights pursuant to s.
 2632  101.048; or
 2633         c.By call or text message, if phone number is available in
 2634  the record, with instructions on how to obtain a copy of the
 2635  written challenge and notice of rights pursuant to s. 101.048.
 2636         2. The supervisor shall also promptly provide the election
 2637  board at the early voting site or in the challenged voter’s
 2638  precinct with a copy of the oath of the person entering the
 2639  challenge in the event the voter appears in person to vote in
 2640  lieu of voting by mail. The challenged voter must shall be
 2641  allowed to cast a provisional ballot in accordance with s.
 2642  101.048, subject to the provisions of subparagraph (b)2.
 2643         (2) In the event the challenged voter has requested a vote
 2644  by-mail ballot or has returned a voted ballot which has not been
 2645  yet counted, the supervisor shall canvass the returned ballot as
 2646  a provisional ballot.
 2647         (3)If the basis for the challenge is that the person’s
 2648  legal residence is not in that precinct, the person must first
 2649  be given the opportunity to execute a change of legal residence
 2650  in order to be able to vote a regular ballot in accordance with
 2651  s. 101.045(2). If the change of legal residence is such that the
 2652  person is then properly registered for that precinct, the person
 2653  must be allowed to vote a regular ballot. If the change of legal
 2654  residence places the person in another precinct, the person must
 2655  be directed to the proper precinct to vote. If such person
 2656  insists that he or she is currently in the proper precinct, the
 2657  person must be allowed to vote a provisional ballot in
 2658  accordance with s. 101.048.
 2659         (4) Any elector or poll watcher filing a frivolous
 2660  challenge of any person’s right to vote commits a misdemeanor of
 2661  the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
 2662  775.083; however, electors or poll watchers shall not be subject
 2663  to liability for any action taken in good faith and in
 2664  furtherance of any activity or duty permitted of such electors
 2665  or poll watchers by law. Each instance where any elector or poll
 2666  watcher files a frivolous challenge of any person’s right to
 2667  vote constitutes a separate offense.
 2668         Section 35. Section 101.131, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2669  to read:
 2670         101.131 Watchers at polls.—
 2671         (1) Each political party and each candidate may have one
 2672  poll watcher in each polling room or early voting area at any
 2673  one time during the election. A political committee formed for
 2674  the specific purpose of expressly advocating the passage or
 2675  defeat of an issue on the ballot may have one poll watcher for
 2676  each polling room or early voting area at any one time during
 2677  the election.
 2678         (2)(a)Each poll watcher must be a qualified and registered
 2679  voter of the county in which he or she serves. A poll watcher
 2680  must complete a minimum 2-hour training program provided by the
 2681  department.
 2682         (b)The department shall make available a 2-hour training
 2683  program for poll watchers designated pursuant to this section.
 2684         (3)(a)A poll watcher appointed for service must be allowed
 2685  to observe and report on irregularities in the conduct of an
 2686  election, but may not interfere in the orderly conduct of
 2687  elections. Such poll watchers must be allowed to enter and watch
 2688  polls in all polling rooms and early voting sites within the
 2689  county in which they have been designated as long as the number
 2690  of poll watchers at any particular polling place does not exceed
 2691  the number provided in this subsection.
 2692         (b)A No watcher may not shall be permitted to come closer
 2693  to the officials’ table or the voting booths than is reasonably
 2694  necessary to properly perform his or her functions, but each
 2695  must shall be allowed within the polling room or early voting
 2696  area to watch and observe the conduct of voters electors and
 2697  officials. The poll watchers must shall furnish their own
 2698  materials and necessities and may shall not obstruct the orderly
 2699  conduct of any election. The poll watchers may shall pose any
 2700  questions regarding polling place procedures directly to the
 2701  clerk for resolution. They may not interact with voters or
 2702  otherwise disrupt the voting process. Each poll watcher must
 2703  shall be a qualified and registered voter elector of the county
 2704  in which he or she serves.
 2705         (4)(a)(2) Each party, each political committee, and each
 2706  candidate requesting to have poll watchers shall designate, in
 2707  writing to the supervisors of elections, on a form prescribed by
 2708  the division, before noon of the second Tuesday preceding the
 2709  election poll watchers for each polling room on election day.
 2710  The form must, at a minimum, elicit the date of election;
 2711  whether service is for early voting or election day; the
 2712  designated person’s voter information card number, name, and
 2713  phone number; that the person is a qualified registered voter in
 2714  the county of service; the party, the political committee, or
 2715  candidate for whom the person is serving as a designated poll
 2716  water; that the person has taken the required training program;
 2717  and that the person has accepted to serve as a poll watcher, if
 2718  approved.
 2719         (b) Designations of poll watchers for early voting areas
 2720  must shall be submitted in writing to the supervisor of
 2721  elections, on a form prescribed by the division, before noon at
 2722  least 14 days before early voting begins. The poll watchers for
 2723  polling rooms must shall be approved by the supervisor of
 2724  elections on or before the Tuesday before the election. Poll
 2725  watchers for early voting areas must shall be approved by the
 2726  supervisor of elections no later than 7 days before early voting
 2727  begins.
 2728         (c) The supervisor shall furnish to each election board a
 2729  list of the poll watchers designated and approved for such
 2730  polling rooms or early voting areas.
 2731         (d) Designation of poll watchers must shall be made by the
 2732  chair of the county executive committee of a political party,
 2733  the chair of a political committee, or the candidate requesting
 2734  to have poll watchers.
 2735         (5)(3) No candidate or sheriff, deputy sheriff, police
 2736  officer, or other law enforcement officer may be designated as a
 2737  poll watcher.
 2738         (6)(4) All poll watchers must shall be allowed to enter and
 2739  watch polls in all polling rooms and early voting areas within
 2740  the county in which they have been designated if the number of
 2741  poll watchers at any particular polling place does not exceed
 2742  the number provided in this section.
 2743         (7)(a)(5) The supervisor of elections shall provide to each
 2744  designated poll watcher an identification badge which identifies
 2745  the poll watcher as such and includes only the poll watcher’s by
 2746  name, and the candidate, political committee, or political party
 2747  that the poll watcher represents.
 2748         (b) Each poll watcher must wear his or her identification
 2749  badge while performing his or her duties.
 2750         (8)The department may adopt rules to administer this
 2751  section.
 2752         Section 36. Section 101.151, Florida Statutes, is amended
 2753  to read:
 2754         101.151 Specifications for ballots.—
 2755         (1) BALLOT PRINT.—
 2756         (a) Marksense Ballots must shall be printed on paper of
 2757  such thickness that the printing cannot be distinguished from
 2758  the back and must shall meet the specifications of the voting
 2759  system that will be used to tabulate the ballots.
 2760         (b) Polling places and early voting sites may employ a
 2761  ballot-on-demand production system to print individual marksense
 2762  ballots, including provisional ballots, for eligible electors.
 2763  Ballot-on-demand technology may be used to produce marksense
 2764  vote-by-mail, early voting, and election-day ballots.
 2765         (2) OFFICE TITLES.—
 2766         (a) The ballot must include the following office titles
 2767  above the names of the candidates for the respective offices in
 2768  the following order:
 2769         1. The office titles of President and Vice President above
 2770  the names of the candidates for President and Vice President of
 2771  the United States nominated by the political party that received
 2772  the highest vote for Governor in the last general election of
 2773  the Governor in this state, followed by the names of other
 2774  candidates for President and Vice President of the United States
 2775  who have been properly nominated. In a presidential preference
 2776  primary only, the office title of President may be placed above
 2777  the list of presidential candidate names for such office.
 2778         2. The office titles of United States Senator and
 2779  Representative in Congress.
 2780         3. The office titles of Governor and Lieutenant Governor;
 2781  Attorney General; Chief Financial Officer; Commissioner of
 2782  Agriculture; State Attorney, with the applicable judicial
 2783  circuit; and Public Defender, with the applicable judicial
 2784  circuit.
 2785         4. The office titles of State Senator and State
 2786  Representative, with the applicable district for the office
 2787  printed beneath.
 2788         5. The office titles of Clerk of the Circuit Court or, when
 2789  the Clerk of the Circuit Court also serves as the County
 2790  Comptroller, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, when
 2791  authorized by law; Clerk of the County Court, when authorized by
 2792  law; Sheriff; Property Appraiser; Tax Collector; District
 2793  Superintendent of Schools; and Supervisor of Elections.
 2794         6. The office titles of Board of County Commissioners, with
 2795  the applicable district printed beneath each office, and such
 2796  other county and district offices as are involved in the
 2797  election, in the order fixed by the Department of State,
 2798  followed, in the year of their election, by “Party Offices,” and
 2799  thereunder the offices of state and county party executive
 2800  committee members.
 2801         (b) In a general election, in addition to the names printed
 2802  on the ballot, a blank space must shall be provided under each
 2803  office for which a write-in candidate has qualified. With
 2804  respect to write-in candidates, if two or more candidates are
 2805  seeking election to one office, only one blank space will shall
 2806  be provided.
 2807         (c) When more than one candidate is nominated for office,
 2808  the candidates for such office must shall qualify and run in a
 2809  group or district, and the group or district number must shall
 2810  be printed beneath the name of the office. Each nominee of a
 2811  political party chosen in a primary must shall appear on the
 2812  general election ballot in the same numbered group or district
 2813  as on the primary election ballot.
 2814         (d) If in any election all the offices as set forth in
 2815  paragraph (a) are not involved, those offices not to be filled
 2816  must shall be omitted and the remaining offices must shall be
 2817  arranged on the ballot in the order named.
 2818         (3) PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT ORDER.—
 2819         (a) The names of the candidates of the party that received
 2820  the highest number of votes for Governor in the last election in
 2821  which a Governor was elected shall be placed first for each
 2822  office on the general election ballot, together with an
 2823  appropriate abbreviation of the party name; the names of the
 2824  candidates of the party that received the second highest vote
 2825  for Governor shall be placed second for each office, together
 2826  with an appropriate abbreviation of the party name.
 2827         (b) Minor political party candidates shall have their names
 2828  appear on the general election ballot following the names of
 2829  recognized political parties, in the same order as they were
 2830  qualified, followed by the names of candidates with no party
 2831  affiliation, in the order as they were qualified.
 2832         (4)(a) The names of candidates for each office must shall
 2833  be arranged alphabetically as to surnames on a primary election
 2834  ballot.
 2835         (b) When two or more candidates running for the same office
 2836  on an election ballot have the same or a similar surname, the
 2837  word “incumbent” must appear next to the incumbent’s name. In a
 2838  primary election only, the office title of Governor may be
 2839  placed above the names of the candidates for such office
 2840  regardless of whether the candidate for Governor has designated
 2841  a Lieutenant Governor as a running mate before the deadline
 2842  pursuant to s. 99.063.
 2843         (4)GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT ORDER.—
 2844         (a)The names of the candidates of the party that received
 2845  the highest number of votes for Governor in the last election in
 2846  which a Governor was elected must be placed first for each
 2847  office on the general election ballot, together with an
 2848  appropriate abbreviation of the party name; the names of the
 2849  candidates of the party that received the second highest vote
 2850  for Governor must be placed second for each office, together
 2851  with an appropriate abbreviation of the party name.
 2852         (b)The names of minor political party candidates must
 2853  appear on the general election ballot following the names of
 2854  recognized political parties, in the same order as they were
 2855  qualified, followed by the names of candidates with no party
 2856  affiliation, in the order they were qualified
 2857         (5) The primary election ballot shall be arranged so that
 2858  the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor are joined in a
 2859  single voting space to allow each elector to cast a single vote
 2860  for the joint candidacies for Governor and Lieutenant Governor,
 2861  if applicable.
 2862         (c)(6) The general election ballot must shall be arranged
 2863  so that the offices of President and Vice President are joined
 2864  in a single voting space to allow each elector to cast a single
 2865  vote for the joint candidacies for President and Vice President
 2866  and so that the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor are
 2867  joined in a single voting space to allow each elector to cast a
 2868  single vote for the joint candidacies for Governor and
 2869  Lieutenant Governor.
 2870         (d)(7) Except for justices or judges seeking retention, the
 2871  names of unopposed candidates may shall not appear on the
 2872  general election ballot. Each unopposed candidate shall be
 2873  deemed to have voted for himself or herself.
 2874         (5)(8)LANGUAGE.—In counties subject to multi-language
 2875  ballot requirements, the supervisor may petition the United
 2876  States Department of Justice for authorization for the
 2877  supervisor to print and deliver single-language ballots for each
 2878  minority language required.
 2879         (6)(9)RULEMAKING.—
 2880         (a) The Department of State shall adopt rules prescribing a
 2881  uniform primary and general election ballot for each certified
 2882  voting system. The rules must shall incorporate the requirements
 2883  set forth in this section and shall prescribe additional matters
 2884  and forms that include, without limitation:
 2885         1. The ballot title followed by clear and unambiguous
 2886  ballot instructions and directions limited to a single location
 2887  on the ballot, either:
 2888         a. Centered across the top of the ballot; or
 2889         b. In the leftmost column, with no individual races in that
 2890  column unless it is the only column on the ballot;
 2891         2. Individual race layout; and
 2892         3. Overall ballot layout.
 2893         (b) The rules must graphically depict a sample uniform
 2894  primary and general election ballot form for each certified
 2895  voting system.
 2896         Section 37. Effective upon becoming a law, subsection (1)
 2897  of section 101.161, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 2898         101.161 Referenda; ballots.—
 2899         (1) A constitutional amendment proposed by initiative must
 2900  define all terms of art and describe all newly created rights,
 2901  requirements, prohibitions, and authorizations. Whenever a
 2902  constitutional amendment or other public measure is submitted to
 2903  the vote of the people, a ballot summary of such amendment or
 2904  other public measure shall be printed in clear and unambiguous
 2905  language on the ballot after the list of candidates, followed by
 2906  the word “yes” and also by the word “no,” and shall be styled in
 2907  such a manner that a “yes” vote will indicate approval of the
 2908  proposal and a “no” vote will indicate rejection. The ballot
 2909  summary of the amendment or other public measure and the ballot
 2910  title to appear on the ballot shall be embodied in the
 2911  constitutional revision commission proposal, constitutional
 2912  convention proposal, taxation and budget reform commission
 2913  proposal, or enabling resolution or ordinance. The ballot
 2914  summary of the amendment or other public measure shall be an
 2915  explanatory statement, not exceeding 75 words in length, of the
 2916  chief purpose of the measure. In addition, for every
 2917  constitutional amendment proposed by initiative, the ballot
 2918  shall include, following the ballot summary, in the following
 2919  order:
 2920         (a) A disclosure prepared by the Attorney General
 2921  describing the material legal effects of the proposed amendment
 2922  and identifying each provision of the State Constitution and
 2923  Florida Statutes which may be repealed in full or in part.
 2924         (b) A separate financial impact statement concerning the
 2925  measure prepared by a panel composed of Trustees of the State
 2926  Board of Administration or their appointees the Financial Impact
 2927  Estimating Conference in accordance with s. 100.371(8) s.
 2928  100.371(13).
 2929         (c)(b) If the financial impact statement projects a net
 2930  negative impact on the state budget, the following statement in
 2931  bold print:
 2932  
 2933         THIS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS ESTIMATED TO
 2934         HAVE A NET NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE STATE BUDGET. THIS
 2935         IMPACT MAY RESULT IN HIGHER TAXES OR A LOSS OF
 2936         GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A BALANCED
 2937         STATE BUDGET AS REQUIRED BY THE CONSTITUTION.
 2938  
 2939         (d)1.(c)1. If the financial impact statement projects a net
 2940  positive impact on the state budget resulting in whole or in
 2941  part from additional tax revenue, the following statement in
 2942  bold print:
 2943  
 2944         THIS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS ESTIMATED TO
 2945         HAVE A NET POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE STATE BUDGET. THIS
 2946         IMPACT MAY RESULT IN GENERATING ADDITIONAL REVENUE OR
 2947         AN INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
 2948  
 2949         2. If the financial impact statement projects a net
 2950  positive impact on the state budget for reasons other than those
 2951  specified in subparagraph 1., the following statement in bold
 2952  print:
 2953  
 2954         THIS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS ESTIMATED TO
 2955         HAVE A NET POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE STATE BUDGET. THIS
 2956         IMPACT MAY RESULT IN LOWER TAXES OR AN INCREASE IN
 2957         GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
 2958  
 2959         (e)(d) If the financial impact statement is indeterminate
 2960  or the members of the panel Financial Impact Estimating
 2961  Conference are unable to agree on the financial impact
 2962  statement, the following statement in bold print:
 2963  
 2964         THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THIS AMENDMENT CANNOT BE
 2965         DETERMINED DUE TO AMBIGUITIES AND UNCERTAINTIES
 2966         SURROUNDING THE AMENDMENT’S IMPACT.
 2967  
 2968  The ballot title shall consist of a caption, not exceeding 15
 2969  words in length, by which the measure is commonly referred to or
 2970  spoken of. This subsection does not apply to constitutional
 2971  amendments or revisions proposed by joint resolution.
 2972         Section 38. Section 101.20, Florida Statutes, is amended to
 2973  read:
 2974         101.20 Publication of ballot form; sample ballots.—
 2975         (1) Two sample ballots shall be furnished to each polling
 2976  place by the officer whose duty it is to provide official
 2977  ballots. The sample ballots shall be in the form of the official
 2978  ballot as it will appear at that polling place on election day.
 2979  Sample ballots shall be open to inspection by all electors in
 2980  any election, and a sufficient number of reduced-size ballots
 2981  may be furnished to election officials so that one may be given
 2982  to any elector desiring same.
 2983         (2)(a) Upon completion of the list of qualified candidates,
 2984  a Sample ballots must ballot shall be published by the
 2985  supervisor in a newspaper of general circulation in the county,
 2986  through the supervisor’s website, or on the county’s website as
 2987  provided in s. 50.0311. Such newspaper or online publication
 2988  must occur no later than 7 days before the start of early voting
 2989  as scheduled for an election in the county before the day of
 2990  election.
 2991         (b) In lieu of the publication required under paragraph
 2992  (a), a supervisor may send a sample ballot to each registered
 2993  voter no later than 7 days before the start of early voting as
 2994  scheduled for an election in the county.
 2995         1.If an e-mail address is on file, the sample ballot may
 2996  be e-mailed or provided by other elector by e-mail at least 7
 2997  days before an election if an e-mail address has been provided
 2998  and the elector has opted to receive a sample ballot by
 2999  electronic delivery.
 3000         2. If an e-mail address is not on file has not been
 3001  provided, or if the voter elector has not opted for electronic
 3002  delivery, a sample ballot may be mailed to each registered voter
 3003  elector or to each household in which there is a registered
 3004  voter no later than elector at least 7 days before the start of
 3005  early voting as scheduled for an election in the county.
 3006         (2)Sample ballots must be available in each polling place
 3007  for voters to inspect, either as a display or upon request.
 3008         (3)A sample ballot may be in the format of an official
 3009  ballot but must be watermarked with the word “SAMPLE” or
 3010  otherwise indicate that it is a sample ballot.
 3011         Section 39. Subsection (1) of section 101.252, Florida
 3012  Statutes, is amended to read:
 3013         101.252 Candidates entitled to have names printed on
 3014  certain ballots; exception.—
 3015         (1) Any candidate for nomination who has qualified as
 3016  prescribed by law is entitled to have his or her name printed on
 3017  the official primary election ballot. However, when there is
 3018  only one candidate of any political party qualified for an
 3019  office, the name of the candidate may shall not be printed on
 3020  the primary election ballot, and such candidate shall be
 3021  declared nominated for the office. This section does not apply
 3022  to candidates for political party executive committees.
 3023         Section 40. Section 101.2521, Florida Statutes, is created
 3024  to read:
 3025         101.2521 Restriction on the withdrawal of certain
 3026  candidates.—If a qualified candidate withdraws after the end of
 3027  qualifying for the primary election and his or her withdrawal
 3028  results in the winner of a contest in the primary election
 3029  becoming an unopposed candidate for the general election, such
 3030  contest must be instead placed on the general election ballot.
 3031         Section 41. Subsection (4) of section 101.5606, Florida
 3032  Statutes, is amended to read:
 3033         101.5606 Requirements for approval of systems.—No
 3034  electronic or electromechanical voting system shall be approved
 3035  by the Department of State unless it is so constructed that:
 3036         (4) For systems using marksense ballots, It accepts a
 3037  rejected ballot pursuant to subsection (3) if a voter chooses to
 3038  cast the ballot, but records no vote for any office that has
 3039  been overvoted or undervoted.
 3040         Section 42. Section 101.56075, Florida Statutes, is amended
 3041  to read:
 3042         101.56075 Voting methods.—For the purpose of designating
 3043  ballot selections, all voting must be by marksense ballot or
 3044  official ballot. Each location where voting takes place must
 3045  contain and make available for use both voting machines that
 3046  accept paper ballots completed by voters, using a manual marking
 3047  device and voting machines using or a voter interface device
 3048  that produces a voter-verifiable paper output of a voter’s
 3049  selections and meets the voter accessibility requirements for
 3050  individuals with disabilities under s. 301 of the federal Help
 3051  America Vote Act of 2002 and s. 101.56062. The default voting
 3052  method is manual voting device. A voter may request and must be
 3053  provided a voter interface device that produces a voter
 3054  verifiable paper output.
 3055         Section 43. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section
 3056  101.5608, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 3057         101.5608 Voting by electronic or electromechanical method;
 3058  procedures.—
 3059         (1) Each voter elector desiring to vote must shall be
 3060  identified to the clerk or inspector of the election as a duly
 3061  qualified voter elector of such election and must shall sign his
 3062  or her name on the precinct register or other form or device
 3063  provided by the supervisor. The inspector shall compare the
 3064  signature with the signature on the identification provided by
 3065  the voter and follow the procedures in s. 101.049 before
 3066  proceeding with subsection (2) elector. If the inspector is
 3067  reasonably sure that the person is entitled to vote, the
 3068  inspector shall provide the person with a ballot.
 3069         (2) When an electronic or electromechanical voting system
 3070  utilizes a ballot card or marksense ballot, The following
 3071  procedures must shall be followed to vote:
 3072         (a) After receiving a ballot from an inspector, the voter
 3073  elector shall, without leaving the polling place, retire to a
 3074  booth or compartment and mark the ballot. After marking his or
 3075  her ballot, the voter elector shall place the ballot in a
 3076  secrecy envelope so that the ballot will be deposited in the
 3077  tabulator without exposing the voter’s choices.
 3078         (b) Any voter who spoils his or her ballot or makes an
 3079  error may return the ballot to the election official and secure
 3080  another ballot, except that in no case shall a voter be
 3081  furnished more than three ballots. If the vote tabulation device
 3082  has rejected a ballot, the ballot must shall be considered
 3083  spoiled and a new ballot must shall be provided to the voter
 3084  unless the voter chooses to cast the rejected ballot. The
 3085  election official, without examining the original ballot, shall
 3086  state the possible reasons for the rejection and shall provide
 3087  instruction to the voter pursuant to s. 101.5611. A spoiled
 3088  ballot must shall be preserved, without examination, in an
 3089  envelope provided for that purpose. The stub must shall be
 3090  removed from the ballot and placed in an envelope.
 3091         (c) The supervisor of elections shall prepare for each
 3092  polling place at least one ballot box to contain the ballots of
 3093  a particular precinct, and each ballot box must shall be plainly
 3094  marked with the name of the precinct for which it is intended.
 3095         (3) The Department of State shall promulgate rules
 3096  regarding voting procedures to be used when an electronic or
 3097  electromechanical voting system is of a type which does not
 3098  utilize a ballot card or marksense ballot.
 3099         Section 44. Subsection (5) of section 101.5612, Florida
 3100  Statutes, is amended to read:
 3101         101.5612 Testing of tabulating equipment.—
 3102         (5) Any tests involving marksense ballots pursuant to this
 3103  section must shall employ test ballots created by the supervisor
 3104  of elections using actual ballots that have been printed for the
 3105  election. If ballot-on-demand ballots will be used in the
 3106  election, the supervisor must shall also create test ballots
 3107  using the ballot-on-demand technology that will be used to
 3108  produce ballots in the election, using the same paper stock as
 3109  will be used for ballots in the election.
 3110         Section 45. Subsection (4) of section 101.5614, Florida
 3111  Statutes, is amended to read:
 3112         101.5614 Canvass of returns.—
 3113         (4)(a) If any vote-by-mail ballot is physically damaged so
 3114  that it cannot properly be counted by the voting system’s
 3115  automatic tabulating equipment, a true duplicate copy must shall
 3116  be made of the damaged ballot in an open and accessible room in
 3117  the presence of witnesses and substituted for the damaged
 3118  ballot. Likewise, a duplicate ballot must shall be made of a
 3119  vote-by-mail ballot containing an overvoted race if there is a
 3120  clear indication on the ballot that the voter has made a
 3121  definite choice in the overvoted race or ballot measure. A
 3122  duplicate must shall include all valid votes as determined by
 3123  the canvassing board based on rules adopted by the division
 3124  pursuant to s. 102.166(4). A duplicate may be made of a ballot
 3125  containing an undervoted race or ballot measure if there is a
 3126  clear indication on the ballot that the voter has made a
 3127  definite choice in the undervoted race or ballot measure. A
 3128  duplicate may not include a vote if the voter’s intent in such
 3129  race or on such measure is not clear. Upon request, a physically
 3130  present candidate, a political party official, a political
 3131  committee official, or an authorized designee thereof, must be
 3132  allowed to observe the duplication of ballots upon signing an
 3133  affidavit affirming his or her acknowledgment that disclosure of
 3134  election results discerned from observing the ballot duplication
 3135  process while the election is ongoing is a felony, as provided
 3136  under subsection (8). The observer must be allowed to observe
 3137  the duplication of ballots in such a way that the observer is
 3138  able to see the markings on each ballot and the duplication
 3139  taking place. All duplicate ballots must be clearly labeled
 3140  “duplicate,” bear a serial number which shall be recorded on the
 3141  defective ballot, and be counted in lieu of the defective
 3142  ballot. The duplication of ballots must happen in the presence
 3143  of at least one canvassing board member. After a ballot has been
 3144  duplicated, the defective ballot and the duplicate ballot must
 3145  shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose, and
 3146  presented to the canvassing board for review the duplicate
 3147  ballot shall be tallied with the other ballots for that
 3148  precinct. If any observer makes a reasonable objection to a
 3149  duplicate of a ballot, the ballot must be presented to the
 3150  canvassing board for a determination of the validity of the
 3151  duplicate. The canvassing board shall must document the serial
 3152  number of the ballot in the canvassing board’s minutes. The
 3153  canvassing board shall must decide whether the duplication is
 3154  valid. If the duplicate ballot is determined to be valid, the
 3155  duplicate ballot must be counted. If the duplicate ballot is
 3156  determined to be invalid, the duplicate ballot must be rejected
 3157  and a proper duplicate ballot must be made and counted in lieu
 3158  of the original.
 3159         (b) A true duplicate copy must shall be made of each
 3160  federal write-in absentee ballot in the presence of witnesses
 3161  and substituted for the federal write-in absentee ballot. The
 3162  duplicate ballot must include all valid votes as determined by
 3163  the canvassing board based on rules adopted by the division
 3164  pursuant to s. 102.166(4). All duplicate ballots must shall be
 3165  clearly labeled “duplicate,” bear a serial number that must
 3166  shall be recorded on the federal write-in absentee ballot, and
 3167  be counted in lieu of the federal write-in absentee ballot.
 3168  After a ballot has been duplicated, the federal write-in
 3169  absentee ballot must shall be placed in an envelope provided for
 3170  that purpose, and the duplicate ballot must shall be tallied
 3171  with other ballots for that precinct.
 3172         Section 46. Subsection (2) of section 101.572, Florida
 3173  Statutes, is amended to read:
 3174         101.572 Public inspection of ballots.—
 3175         (2) A candidate, a political party official, or a political
 3176  committee official, or an authorized designee thereof, shall be
 3177  granted reasonable access upon request to review or inspect
 3178  ballot materials before canvassing or tabulation, including
 3179  voter certificates on vote-by-mail envelopes, cure affidavits,
 3180  corresponding comparison signatures, duplicate ballots, and
 3181  corresponding originals. Before the supervisor begins comparing
 3182  signatures on vote-by-mail voter certificates, the supervisor
 3183  shall must publish notice of the access to be provided under
 3184  this section, which may be access to the documents or images
 3185  thereof, and the method of requesting such access. During such
 3186  review, no person granted access for review may make any copy of
 3187  a signature. During a county canvassing board’s determination of
 3188  voter intent s. 101.5614(4)(a), a candidate, a political party
 3189  official, or a political committee official, or an authorized
 3190  designee thereof, may object to the canvassing board’s
 3191  determination of voter intent.
 3192         Section 47. Section 101.591, Florida Statutes, is amended
 3193  to read:
 3194         101.591 Voting system validation process audit.—
 3195         (1) Before Immediately following the certification of each
 3196  election, the county canvassing board or the local board
 3197  responsible for certifying the election shall conduct a manual
 3198  audit or an automated, independent vote validation audit of the
 3199  voting systems used in all randomly selected precincts.
 3200         (2)(a) A manual audit shall consist of a public manual
 3201  tally of the votes cast in one randomly selected race that
 3202  appears on the ballot. The tally sheet shall include election
 3203  day, vote-by-mail, early voting, provisional, and overseas
 3204  ballots, in at least 1 percent but no more than 2 percent of the
 3205  precincts chosen at random by the county canvassing board or the
 3206  local board responsible for certifying the election. If 1
 3207  percent of the precincts is less than one entire precinct, the
 3208  audit shall be conducted using at least one precinct chosen at
 3209  random by the county canvassing board or the local board
 3210  responsible for certifying the election. Such precincts shall be
 3211  selected at a publicly noticed canvassing board meeting.
 3212         (b) An automated vote validation process must audit shall
 3213  consist of an a public automated verification of the tally of
 3214  the votes cast across every race that appears on the ballot. The
 3215  tally sheet must shall include election day, vote-by-mail, early
 3216  voting, provisional, and overseas ballots in all at least 20
 3217  percent of the precincts chosen at random by the county
 3218  canvassing board or the local board responsible for certifying
 3219  the election. Such precincts shall be selected at a publicly
 3220  noticed canvassing board meeting.
 3221         (c) The division shall adopt rules for approval of an
 3222  independent audit system which provide that the system, at a
 3223  minimum, must be:
 3224         1. Completely independent of the primary voting system.
 3225         2. Fast enough to produce final audit results within the
 3226  timeframe prescribed in subsection (4).
 3227         3. Capable of demonstrating that the ballots of record have
 3228  been accurately adjudicated by the audit system.
 3229         (3) The canvassing board shall publish notice on the county
 3230  website as provided in s. 50.0311, on the supervisor of
 3231  election’s website, or once in one or more newspapers of general
 3232  circulation in the county post a notice of the automated vote
 3233  validation process audit, including the date, time, and place,
 3234  in four conspicuous places in the county and on the home page of
 3235  the county supervisor of elections website. Such process must be
 3236  open to the public.
 3237         (4) The vote validation process audit must be completed and
 3238  the results made public before the certification of the election
 3239  by each county canvassing board and in accordance with s.
 3240  102.141 no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 7th day following
 3241  certification of the election by the county canvassing board or
 3242  the local board responsible for certifying the election.
 3243         (5) By December 15 of each general election year, the
 3244  county canvassing board or the board responsible for certifying
 3245  the election shall provide a report with the results of the vote
 3246  validation audit to the Department of State in a standard format
 3247  as prescribed by the department. Each county’s The report must
 3248  be consolidated into one report and included with the overvote
 3249  and undervote report required under s. 101.595(1). The report
 3250  must, at a minimum, contain all of shall contain, but is not
 3251  limited to, the following items:
 3252         (a) The overall accuracy of vote validation audit.
 3253         (b) A description of any problems or discrepancies
 3254  encountered.
 3255         (c) The likely cause of such problems or discrepancies.
 3256         (d) Recommended corrective action with respect to avoiding
 3257  or mitigating such circumstances in future elections.
 3258         (6) If a manual recount is undertaken pursuant to s.
 3259  102.166, the canvassing board is not required to perform the
 3260  audit provided for in this section.
 3261         Section 48. Section 101.5911, Florida Statutes, is amended
 3262  to read:
 3263         101.5911 Rulemaking authority for voting system vote
 3264  validation audit procedures.—Effective upon this act becoming a
 3265  law, The department of State shall adopt rules to implement the
 3266  provisions of s. 101.591, as amended by s. 8, chapter 2007-30,
 3267  Laws of Florida, which prescribe detailed vote validation audit
 3268  procedures for each voting system, which must shall be uniform
 3269  to the extent practicable, along with the standard form for vote
 3270  validation audit reports.
 3271         Section 49. Section 101.595, Florida Statutes, is amended
 3272  to read:
 3273         101.595 Post general election report Analysis and reports
 3274  of voting problems.—
 3275         (1)(a) No later than December 15 of each general election
 3276  year, the supervisor of elections in each county shall report to
 3277  the Department of State the total number of overvotes and
 3278  undervotes in the “President and Vice President” or “Governor
 3279  and Lieutenant Governor” race that appears first on the ballot
 3280  or, if neither appears, the first race appearing on the ballot
 3281  pursuant to s. 101.151(2), along with the likely reasons for
 3282  such overvotes and undervotes and other information as may be
 3283  useful in evaluating the performance of the voting system and
 3284  identifying problems with ballot design and instructions which
 3285  may have contributed to voter confusion. This report must be
 3286  consolidated into one report with the audit report required
 3287  under s. 101.591(5).
 3288         (b)(2) The Department of State, upon receipt of such
 3289  information, shall prepare a public report on the performance of
 3290  each type of voting system. The report must contain, but is not
 3291  limited to, the following information:
 3292         1.(a) An identification of problems with the ballot design
 3293  or instructions which may have contributed to voter confusion;
 3294         2.(b) An identification of voting system design problems;
 3295  and
 3296         3.(c) Recommendations for correcting any problems
 3297  identified.
 3298         (2)The department shall submit the analysis of the report
 3299  in subsection (1) as part of the consolidated reports required
 3300  under ss. 101.591 and 102.143 to the Governor, the President of
 3301  the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
 3302  February 15 of each year following a general election.
 3303         (3) The Department of State shall submit the report to the
 3304  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
 3305  House of Representatives by February 15 of each year following a
 3306  general election.
 3307         Section 50. Section 101.6104, Florida Statutes, is amended
 3308  to read:
 3309         101.6104 Protest Challenge of votes.—If any elector present
 3310  for the canvass of votes believes that any ballot is illegal due
 3311  to any defect apparent on the voter’s certificate, the elector
 3312  may, at any time before the ballot is removed from the envelope,
 3313  file with the canvassing board a protest against the canvass of
 3314  such ballot, specifying the reason he or she believes the ballot
 3315  to be illegal. No protest challenge based upon any defect on the
 3316  voter’s certificate may shall be accepted after the ballot has
 3317  been removed from the return mailing envelope.
 3318         Section 51. Section 101.62, Florida Statutes, is amended to
 3319  read:
 3320         101.62 Request for vote-by-mail ballots.—
 3321         (1) REQUEST.—
 3322         (a) Vote-by-mail request forms are not automatically mailed
 3323  out to voters. A voter must initiate the request for a vote-by
 3324  mail ballot form from the supervisor of elections. The
 3325  supervisor shall accept a request for a vote-by-mail ballot only
 3326  from a voter or, if directly instructed by the voter, a member
 3327  of the voter’s immediate family or the voter’s legal guardian. A
 3328  request may be made in person, in writing, by telephone, or
 3329  through the supervisor’s website. A voter requesting a vote-by
 3330  mail ballot by mail or in person must use the paper or online
 3331  version of the department shall prescribe by rule by October 1,
 3332  2023, a uniform statewide application to make a written request
 3333  for a vote-by-mail ballot which includes fields for all
 3334  information required in this subsection. One request is deemed
 3335  sufficient to receive a vote-by-mail ballot for all elections
 3336  through the end of the calendar year of the next regularly
 3337  scheduled general election, unless the voter or the voter’s
 3338  designee indicates at the time the request is made the elections
 3339  within such period for which the voter desires to receive a
 3340  vote-by-mail ballot. The supervisor shall must cancel a request
 3341  for a vote-by-mail ballot when any first-class mail or
 3342  nonforwardable mail sent by the supervisor to the voter is
 3343  returned as undeliverable. If the voter requests a vote-by-mail
 3344  ballot thereafter, the voter must provide or confirm his or her
 3345  current residential address.
 3346         (b) The supervisor may accept a request for a vote-by-mail
 3347  ballot to be mailed to a voter’s address on file in the Florida
 3348  Voter Registration System from the voter, or, if directly
 3349  instructed by the voter, a member of the voter’s immediate
 3350  family or the voter’s legal guardian. If an in-person or a
 3351  telephonic request is made, the voter must provide the voter’s
 3352  Florida driver license number, the voter’s Florida
 3353  identification card number, or the last four digits of the
 3354  voter’s social security number, whichever may be verified in the
 3355  supervisor’s records. If the ballot is requested to be mailed to
 3356  an address other than the voter’s address on file in the Florida
 3357  Voter Registration System, the request must be made in writing.
 3358  A written request must be signed by the voter and include the
 3359  voter’s Florida driver license number, the voter’s Florida
 3360  identification card number, or the last four digits of the
 3361  voter’s social security number. However, an absent uniformed
 3362  services voter or an overseas voter seeking a vote-by-mail
 3363  ballot is not required to submit a signed, written request for a
 3364  vote-by-mail ballot that is being mailed to an address other
 3365  than the voter’s address on file in the Florida Voter
 3366  Registration System. The person making the request must
 3367  disclose:
 3368         1. The name of the voter for whom the ballot is requested.
 3369         2. The voter’s address.
 3370         3. The voter’s date of birth.
 3371         4. The voter’s Florida driver license number, the voter’s
 3372  Florida identification card number, or the last four digits of
 3373  the voter’s social security number, whichever may be verified in
 3374  the supervisor’s records. If the voter’s registration record
 3375  does not already include the voter’s Florida driver license
 3376  number or Florida identification card number or the last four
 3377  digits of the voter’s social security number, the number
 3378  provided must be recorded in the voter’s registration record.
 3379         5. The requester’s name.
 3380         6. The requester’s address.
 3381         7. The requester’s driver license number, the requester’s
 3382  identification card number, or the last four digits of the
 3383  requester’s social security number, if available.
 3384         8. The requester’s relationship to the voter.
 3385         9. The requester’s signature (written requests only).
 3386         (c) Upon receiving a request for a vote-by-mail ballot from
 3387  an absent voter, the supervisor of elections shall notify the
 3388  voter of the free access system that has been designated by the
 3389  department for determining the status of his or her vote-by-mail
 3390  ballot.
 3391         (d) For purposes of this section, the term “immediate
 3392  family” refers to the following, as applicable:
 3393         1. The voter’s spouse, parent, child, grandparent,
 3394  grandchild, or sibling, or the parent, child, grandparent,
 3395  grandchild, or sibling of the voter’s spouse.
 3396         2. The designee’s spouse, parent, child, grandparent,
 3397  grandchild, or sibling, or the parent, child, grandparent,
 3398  grandchild, or sibling of the designee’s spouse.
 3399         (2) ACCESS TO VOTE-BY-MAIL REQUEST INFORMATION.—For each
 3400  request for a vote-by-mail ballot received, the supervisor shall
 3401  record the following information: the name of the voter; the
 3402  date the request was made; the identity of the voter’s designee
 3403  making the request, if any; the method of request; whether the
 3404  Florida driver license number, Florida identification card
 3405  number, or last four digits of the social security number of the
 3406  voter was provided, if required with a written request; the date
 3407  the vote-by-mail ballot was delivered to the voter or the
 3408  voter’s designee or the date the vote-by-mail ballot was
 3409  delivered to the post office or other carrier; the address to
 3410  which the ballot was mailed or the identity of the voter’s
 3411  designee to whom the ballot was delivered; the date the ballot
 3412  was received by the supervisor; the absence of the voter’s
 3413  signature on the voter’s certificate, if applicable; whether the
 3414  voter’s certificate contains a signature that does not match the
 3415  voter’s signature in the registration books or precinct
 3416  register; and such other information he or she may deem
 3417  necessary. This information must be provided in electronic
 3418  format as provided by division rule. The information must be
 3419  updated and made available no later than 8 a.m. of each day,
 3420  including weekends, beginning 60 days before the primary until
 3421  15 days after the general election and must shall be
 3422  contemporaneously provided to the division. This information is
 3423  confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and may shall be made
 3424  available to or reproduced only for the voter requesting the
 3425  ballot, a canvassing board, an election official, a political
 3426  party or official thereof, a candidate who has filed
 3427  qualification papers and is opposed in an upcoming election, and
 3428  registered political committees for political purposes only.
 3429         (3) DELIVERY OF VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS.—
 3430         (a) No later than 45 days before each presidential
 3431  preference primary election, primary election, and general
 3432  election, the supervisor of elections shall send a vote-by-mail
 3433  ballot as provided in subparagraph (d)2. to each absent
 3434  uniformed services voter and to each overseas voter who has
 3435  requested a vote-by-mail ballot.
 3436         (b) The supervisor shall mail a vote-by-mail ballot to each
 3437  absent qualified voter, other than those listed in paragraph
 3438  (a), who has requested such a ballot, between the 40th and 33rd
 3439  days before the presidential preference primary election,
 3440  primary election, and general election.
 3441         (c) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a) or
 3442  paragraph (b), the supervisor shall mail vote-by-mail ballots
 3443  within 2 business days after receiving a request for such a
 3444  ballot, but no later than the 10th day before election day. The
 3445  deadline to submit a request for a ballot to be mailed is 5 p.m.
 3446  local time on the 12th day before an upcoming election.
 3447         (d) Upon a request for a vote-by-mail ballot, the
 3448  supervisor shall provide a vote-by-mail ballot to each voter by
 3449  whom a request for that ballot has been made, by one of the
 3450  following means:
 3451         1. By nonforwardable, return-if-undeliverable mail to the
 3452  voter’s current mailing address on file with the supervisor or
 3453  any other address the voter specifies in the request. The
 3454  envelopes must be prominently marked “Do Not Forward.”
 3455         2. By forwardable mail, e-mail, or facsimile machine
 3456  transmission to absent uniformed services voters and overseas
 3457  voters. The absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter
 3458  may designate in the vote-by-mail ballot request the preferred
 3459  method of transmission. If the voter does not designate the
 3460  method of transmission, the vote-by-mail ballot must be mailed.
 3461         3. By personal delivery to the voter beginning on the 46th
 3462  day before election day after vote-by-mail ballots have been
 3463  mailed and through up to 7 p.m. on election day upon
 3464  presentation of the identification required in s. 101.043.
 3465  However, starting pm the 10th day before election day and
 3466  through 7 p.m. on election day, delivery is subject to the
 3467  additional requirements of subparagraph 5.
 3468         4. By delivery to the voter’s designee beginning on the
 3469  46th day before election day, through after vote-by-mail ballots
 3470  have been mailed and up to 7 p.m. on election day. However,
 3471  starting on the 10th day before election day and through 7 p.m.
 3472  on election day, delivery is subject to the additional
 3473  requirements in subparagraph 5. Any voter may designate in
 3474  writing a person to pick up the ballot for the voter; however,
 3475  the person designated may not pick up more than two vote-by-mail
 3476  ballots per election, other than the designee’s own ballot,
 3477  except that additional ballots may be picked up for members of
 3478  the designee’s immediate family. The designee shall provide to
 3479  the supervisor the written authorization by the voter and a
 3480  picture identification of the designee and must complete an
 3481  affidavit. The designee shall state in the affidavit that the
 3482  designee is authorized by the voter to pick up that ballot and
 3483  shall indicate if the voter is a member of the designee’s
 3484  immediate family and, if so, the relationship. The department
 3485  shall prescribe the form of the affidavit. If the supervisor is
 3486  satisfied that the designee is authorized to pick up the ballot
 3487  and that the signature of the voter on the written authorization
 3488  matches the signature of the voter on file, the supervisor must
 3489  give the ballot to that designee for delivery to the voter.
 3490         5. Except as provided in s. 101.655, the supervisor may not
 3491  deliver a vote-by-mail ballot to a voter or a voter’s designee
 3492  pursuant to subparagraph 3. or subparagraph 4., respectively,
 3493  during the mandatory early voting period and through up to 7
 3494  p.m. on election day, unless there is an emergency, to the
 3495  extent that the voter will be unable to go to a designated early
 3496  voting site in his or her county or to his or her assigned
 3497  polling place on election day. If a vote-by-mail ballot is
 3498  delivered, the voter or his or her designee must execute an
 3499  affidavit affirming to the facts which allow for delivery of the
 3500  vote-by-mail ballot. The department shall adopt a rule providing
 3501  for the form of the affidavit.
 3502         (4) SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.—If the department is unable to
 3503  certify candidates for an election in time to comply with
 3504  paragraph (3)(a), the Department of State is authorized to
 3505  prescribe rules for a ballot to be sent to absent uniformed
 3506  services voters and overseas voters.
 3507         (5) MATERIALS.—Only the materials necessary to vote by mail
 3508  may be mailed or delivered with any vote-by-mail ballot.
 3509         (6) PROHIBITION.—Except as expressly authorized for voters
 3510  having a disability under s. 101.662, for overseas voters under
 3511  s. 101.697, or for local referenda under ss. 101.6102 and
 3512  101.6103, a county, municipality, or state agency may not send a
 3513  vote-by-mail ballot to a voter unless the voter has requested a
 3514  vote-by-mail ballot in the manner authorized under this section.
 3515         Section 52. Section 101.64, Florida Statutes, is amended to
 3516  read:
 3517         101.64 Delivery of vote-by-mail ballots; envelopes; form.—
 3518         (1)(a) The supervisor shall enclose with each vote-by-mail
 3519  ballot two envelopes: a secrecy envelope or privacy sleeve, into
 3520  which the absent voter elector shall enclose his or her marked
 3521  ballot; and a mailing envelope, into which the voter absent
 3522  elector shall then place the secrecy envelope or privacy sleeve
 3523  enclosing the ballot, which must shall be addressed to the
 3524  supervisor and also bear on the back side a certificate in
 3525  substantially the following form:
 3526  
 3527           Note: Please Read Instructions Carefully Before         
 3528         Marking Ballot and Completing Voter’s Certificate.        
 3529  
 3530                         VOTER’S CERTIFICATE                       
 3531         I, ...., do solemnly swear or affirm that I am a qualified
 3532  and registered voter of .... County, Florida, and that I have
 3533  not and will not vote more than one ballot in this election. I
 3534  understand that if I commit or attempt to commit any fraud in
 3535  connection with voting, vote a fraudulent ballot, or vote more
 3536  than once in an election, I can be convicted of a felony of the
 3537  third degree and fined up to $5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to
 3538  5 years. I also understand that failure to sign this certificate
 3539  will invalidate my ballot.
 3540  ...(Date)...                           ...(Voter’s Signature)...
 3541  ...(E-Mail Address)...             ...(Home Telephone Number)...
 3542  ...(Mobile Telephone Number)...
 3543  
 3544         (b) Each return mailing envelope must bear the absent
 3545  voter’s elector’s name and any encoded mark used by the
 3546  supervisor’s office.
 3547         (c) A mailing envelope, or secrecy envelope, or privacy
 3548  sleeve may not bear any indication of the political affiliation
 3549  of an absent voter elector.
 3550         (2) The certificate must shall be arranged on the back of
 3551  the mailing envelope so that the line for the signature of the
 3552  absent voter elector is across the seal of the envelope;
 3553  however, no statement may shall appear on the envelope which
 3554  indicates that a signature of the voter must cross the seal of
 3555  the envelope. The absent voter elector shall execute the
 3556  certificate on the envelope.
 3557         (3) In lieu of the voter’s certificate provided in this
 3558  section, the supervisor of elections shall provide each person
 3559  voting absentee under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
 3560  Absentee Voting Act with the standard oath prescribed by the
 3561  presidential designee.
 3562         (4) The supervisor shall mark, code, indicate on, or
 3563  otherwise track the precinct of the absent voter elector for
 3564  each vote-by-mail ballot.
 3565         (5) The secrecy envelope or privacy sleeve must include, in
 3566  bold font, substantially the following message:
 3567  
 3568         IN ORDER FOR YOUR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT TO COUNT, YOUR
 3569         SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS MUST RECEIVE YOUR BALLOT BY 7
 3570         P.M. ON ELECTION DAY. IF YOU WAIT TO MAIL YOUR BALLOT,
 3571         YOUR VOTE MIGHT NOT COUNT. TO PREVENT THIS FROM
 3572         OCCURRING, PLEASE MAIL OR TURN IN YOUR BALLOT AS SOON
 3573         AS POSSIBLE.
 3574  
 3575         Section 53. Subsection (1) of section 101.657, Florida
 3576  Statutes, is amended to read:
 3577         101.657 Early voting.—
 3578         (1)(a) As a convenience to the voter, the supervisor of
 3579  elections may shall allow a voter an elector to vote early in
 3580  the main or branch office of the supervisor. The supervisor
 3581  shall mark, code, indicate on, or otherwise track the voter’s
 3582  precinct for each early voted ballot. In order for a branch
 3583  office to be used for early voting, it must shall be a permanent
 3584  facility of the supervisor and shall have been designated and
 3585  used as such for at least 1 year before prior to the election.
 3586  The supervisor may also designate any city hall, permanent
 3587  public library facility, fairground, civic center, courthouse,
 3588  county commission building, stadium, convention center,
 3589  government-owned senior center, or government-owned community
 3590  center as an early voting site; however, if so designated, the
 3591  sites must be geographically located so as to provide all voters
 3592  in the county an equal opportunity to cast a ballot, insofar as
 3593  is practicable, and must provide sufficient nonpermitted parking
 3594  to accommodate the anticipated amount of voters. In addition, a
 3595  supervisor may designate up to two one early voting sites site
 3596  per election in an area of the county that does not have any of
 3597  the eligible early voting locations. Such additional early
 3598  voting site must be geographically located so as to provide all
 3599  voters in that area with an equal opportunity to cast a ballot,
 3600  insofar as is practicable, and must provide sufficient
 3601  nonpermitted parking to accommodate the anticipated amount of
 3602  voters. Each county shall, at a minimum, operate the same total
 3603  number of early voting sites for a general election which the
 3604  county operated for the 2012 general election. The results or
 3605  tabulation of votes cast during early voting may not be made
 3606  before the close of the polls on election day. Results must
 3607  shall be reported by precinct.
 3608         (b) The supervisor shall designate each early voting site
 3609  by no later than the 30th day before prior to an election and
 3610  shall designate an early voting area, as defined in s. 97.021,
 3611  at each early voting site. The number of designated sites must
 3612  be no less than the number of sites designated in the previously
 3613  regularly scheduled general election. A supervisor may obtain a
 3614  waiver from this requirement by filing notice certifying the
 3615  facts and circumstances and obtaining approval from the
 3616  department before the designation deadline. The supervisor shall
 3617  provide to the division no later than the 30th day before an
 3618  election the address of each early voting site and the hours
 3619  that early voting will occur at each site.
 3620         (c) All early voting sites in a county must shall allow any
 3621  person in line at the closing of an early voting site to vote.
 3622         (d) Early voting shall begin on the 10th day before an
 3623  election that contains state or federal races and end on the 3rd
 3624  day before the election, and shall be provided for no less than
 3625  8 hours and no more than 12 hours per day at each site during
 3626  the applicable period. In addition, early voting may be offered
 3627  at the discretion of the supervisor of elections on the 15th,
 3628  14th, 13th, 12th, 11th, or 2nd day before an election that
 3629  contains state or federal races for at least 8 hours per day,
 3630  but not more than 12 hours per day. The supervisor of elections
 3631  may provide early voting for elections that are not held in
 3632  conjunction with a state or federal election. However, the
 3633  supervisor has the discretion to determine the hours of
 3634  operation of early voting sites in those elections.
 3635         (e) Notwithstanding the requirements of s. 100.3605,
 3636  municipalities may provide early voting in municipal elections
 3637  that are not held in conjunction with county or state elections.
 3638  If a municipality provides early voting, it may designate as
 3639  many sites as necessary and shall conduct its activities in
 3640  accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (a)-(c). The
 3641  supervisor is not required to conduct early voting if it is
 3642  provided pursuant to this subsection.
 3643         (f) Notwithstanding the requirements of s. 189.04, special
 3644  districts may provide early voting in any district election not
 3645  held in conjunction with county or state elections. If a special
 3646  district provides early voting, it may designate as many sites
 3647  as necessary and must shall conduct its activities in accordance
 3648  with the provisions of paragraphs (a)-(c). The supervisor is not
 3649  required to conduct early voting if it is provided pursuant to
 3650  this subsection.
 3651         Section 54. Subsections (2) and (4) of section 101.68,
 3652  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 3653         101.68 Canvassing of vote-by-mail ballot.—
 3654         (2)(a) The county canvassing board may begin the canvassing
 3655  of vote-by-mail ballots upon the completion of the public
 3656  testing of automatic tabulating equipment pursuant to s.
 3657  101.5612(2), but must begin such canvassing by no later than
 3658  noon on the day following the election. However, notwithstanding
 3659  any such authorization to begin canvassing or otherwise
 3660  processing vote-by-mail ballots early, no result may shall be
 3661  released until after the closing of the polls in that county on
 3662  election day. Any supervisor, deputy supervisor, canvassing
 3663  board member, election board member, or election employee who
 3664  releases the results of a canvassing or processing of vote-by
 3665  mail ballots before prior to the closing of the polls in that
 3666  county on election day commits a felony of the third degree,
 3667  punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
 3668         (b) To ensure that all vote-by-mail ballots to be counted
 3669  by the canvassing board are accounted for, the canvassing board
 3670  shall compare the number of ballots in its possession with the
 3671  number of requests for ballots received to be counted according
 3672  to the supervisor’s file or list.
 3673         (c)1. The canvassing board must, if the supervisor has not
 3674  already done so, compare the signature of the elector on the
 3675  voter’s certificate or on the vote-by-mail ballot cure affidavit
 3676  as provided in subsection (4) with the signature of the elector
 3677  in the registration books or the precinct register to see that
 3678  the elector is duly registered in the county and to determine
 3679  the legality of that vote-by-mail ballot. A vote-by-mail ballot
 3680  may only be counted if:
 3681         a. The signature on the voter’s certificate or the cure
 3682  affidavit matches the elector’s signature in the registration
 3683  books or precinct register; however, in the case of a cure
 3684  affidavit, the supporting identification listed in subsection
 3685  (4) must also confirm the identity of the elector; or
 3686         b. The cure affidavit contains a signature that does not
 3687  match the elector’s signature in the registration books or
 3688  precinct register, but the elector has submitted a current and
 3689  valid Tier 1 identification pursuant to subsection (4) which
 3690  confirms the identity of the elector.
 3691  
 3692  For purposes of this subparagraph, any canvassing board finding
 3693  that an elector’s signatures do not match must be by majority
 3694  vote and beyond a reasonable doubt.
 3695         2. The ballot of an elector who casts a vote-by-mail ballot
 3696  shall be counted even if the elector dies on or before election
 3697  day, as long as, before the death of the voter, the ballot was
 3698  postmarked by the United States Postal Service, date-stamped
 3699  with a verifiable tracking number by a common carrier, or
 3700  already in the possession of the supervisor.
 3701         3. A vote-by-mail ballot is not considered illegal if the
 3702  signature of the elector does not cross the seal of the mailing
 3703  envelope.
 3704         4. If any elector or candidate present believes that a
 3705  vote-by-mail ballot is illegal due to a defect apparent on the
 3706  voter’s certificate or the cure affidavit, he or she may, at any
 3707  time before the ballot is removed from the envelope, file with
 3708  the canvassing board a protest against the canvass of that
 3709  ballot, specifying the precinct, the voter’s certificate or the
 3710  cure affidavit, and the reason he or she believes the ballot to
 3711  be illegal. A protest challenge based upon a defect in the
 3712  voter’s certificate or cure affidavit may not be accepted after
 3713  the ballot has been removed from the mailing envelope.
 3714         5. If the canvassing board determines that a ballot is
 3715  illegal, a member of the board must, without opening the
 3716  envelope, mark across the face of the envelope: “rejected as
 3717  illegal.” The cure affidavit, if applicable, the envelope, and
 3718  the ballot therein shall be preserved in the manner that
 3719  official ballots are preserved.
 3720         (d) The canvassing board shall record the ballot upon the
 3721  proper record, unless the ballot has been previously recorded by
 3722  the supervisor. The mailing envelopes must shall be opened and
 3723  the secrecy envelopes must shall be mixed so as to make it
 3724  impossible to determine which secrecy envelope came out of which
 3725  signed mailing envelope; however, in any county in which an
 3726  electronic or electromechanical voting system is used, the
 3727  ballots may be sorted by ballot styles and the mailing envelopes
 3728  may be opened and the secrecy envelopes mixed separately for
 3729  each ballot style. The votes on vote-by-mail ballots must shall
 3730  be included in the total vote of the county.
 3731         (4)(a) As soon as practicable, the supervisor shall, on
 3732  behalf of the county canvassing board, attempt to notify an
 3733  elector who has returned a vote-by-mail ballot that does not
 3734  include the elector’s signature or contains a signature that
 3735  does not match the elector’s signature in the registration books
 3736  or precinct register by:
 3737         1. Notifying the elector of the signature deficiency by e
 3738  mail and directing the elector to the cure affidavit and
 3739  instructions on the supervisor’s website;
 3740         2. Notifying the elector of the signature deficiency by
 3741  text message and directing the elector to the cure affidavit and
 3742  instructions on the supervisor’s website; or
 3743         3. Notifying the elector of the signature deficiency by
 3744  telephone and directing the elector to the cure affidavit and
 3745  instructions on the supervisor’s website.
 3746  
 3747  In addition to the notification required under subparagraph 1.,
 3748  subparagraph 2., or subparagraph 3., the supervisor must notify
 3749  the elector of the signature deficiency by first-class mail and
 3750  direct the elector to the cure affidavit and instructions on the
 3751  supervisor’s website. Beginning the day before the election, the
 3752  supervisor is not required to provide notice of the signature
 3753  deficiency by first-class mail, but shall continue to provide
 3754  notice as required under subparagraph 1., subparagraph 2., or
 3755  subparagraph 3.
 3756         (b) The supervisor shall allow such an elector to complete
 3757  and submit an affidavit in order to cure the vote-by-mail ballot
 3758  until 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election.
 3759         (c) The elector must complete a cure affidavit in
 3760  substantially the following form:
 3761  
 3762                 VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT CURE AFFIDAVIT                
 3763  
 3764         I, ...., am a qualified voter in this election and
 3765  registered voter of .... County, Florida. I do solemnly swear or
 3766  affirm that I requested and returned the vote-by-mail ballot and
 3767  that I have not and will not vote more than one ballot in this
 3768  election. I understand that if I commit or attempt any fraud in
 3769  connection with voting, vote a fraudulent ballot, or vote more
 3770  than once in an election, I may be convicted of a felony of the
 3771  third degree and fined up to $5,000 and imprisoned for up to 5
 3772  years. I understand that my failure to sign this affidavit means
 3773  that my vote-by-mail ballot will be invalidated.
 3774  
 3775  ...(Voter’s Signature)...
 3776  ...(Address)...
 3777  
 3778         (d) Instructions must accompany the cure affidavit in
 3779  substantially the following form:
 3780  
 3781         READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE
 3782  AFFIDAVIT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE YOUR
 3783  BALLOT NOT TO COUNT.
 3784  
 3785         1. In order to ensure that your vote-by-mail ballot will be
 3786  counted, your affidavit should be completed and returned as soon
 3787  as possible so that it can reach the supervisor of elections of
 3788  the county in which your precinct is located no later than 5
 3789  p.m. on the 2nd day after the election.
 3790         2. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter’s
 3791  Signature).
 3792         3. You must make a copy of one of the following forms of
 3793  identification:
 3794         a. Tier 1 identification.—Current and valid identification
 3795  that includes your name and photograph: Florida driver license;
 3796  Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway
 3797  Safety and Motor Vehicles; United States passport or passport
 3798  card; debit or credit card; United States Uniformed Services or
 3799  Merchant Marine military identification; student identification;
 3800  retirement center identification; neighborhood association
 3801  identification; public assistance identification; veteran health
 3802  identification card issued by the United States Department of
 3803  Veterans Affairs; a Florida license to carry a concealed weapon
 3804  or firearm; or any an employee identification card issued by any
 3805  branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government,
 3806  the state, a county, or a municipality; or
 3807         b. Tier 2 identification.—ONLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TIER 1
 3808  FORM OF IDENTIFICATION, identification that shows your name and
 3809  current residence address: current utility bill, bank statement,
 3810  government check, paycheck, or government document (excluding
 3811  voter information card).
 3812         4. Place the envelope bearing the affidavit into a mailing
 3813  envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy of your
 3814  identification in the mailing envelope. Mail (if time permits),
 3815  deliver, or have delivered the completed affidavit along with
 3816  the copy of your identification to your county supervisor of
 3817  elections. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed and
 3818  that the supervisor’s address is correct. Remember, your
 3819  information MUST reach your county supervisor of elections no
 3820  later than 5 p.m. on the 2nd day after the election, or your
 3821  ballot will not count.
 3822         5. Alternatively, you may fax or e-mail your completed
 3823  affidavit and a copy of your identification to the supervisor of
 3824  elections. If e-mailing, please provide these documents as
 3825  attachments.
 3826  
 3827         (e) The department and each supervisor shall include the
 3828  affidavit and instructions on their respective websites. The
 3829  supervisor must include his or her office’s mailing address, e
 3830  mail address, and fax number on the page containing the
 3831  affidavit instructions, and the department’s instruction page
 3832  must include the office mailing addresses, e-mail addresses, and
 3833  fax numbers of all supervisors of elections or provide a
 3834  conspicuous link to such addresses.
 3835         (f) The supervisor shall attach each affidavit received to
 3836  the appropriate vote-by-mail ballot mailing envelope.
 3837         (g) If a vote-by-mail ballot is validated following the
 3838  submission of a cure affidavit, the supervisor must shall make a
 3839  copy of the affidavit, affix it to a voter registration
 3840  application, and immediately process it as a valid request for a
 3841  signature update pursuant to s. 98.077.
 3842         (h) After all election results on the ballot have been
 3843  certified, the supervisor shall, on behalf of the county
 3844  canvassing board, notify each elector whose ballot has been
 3845  rejected as illegal and provide the specific reason the ballot
 3846  was rejected. In addition, unless processed as a signature
 3847  update pursuant to paragraph (g), the supervisor must shall mail
 3848  a voter registration application to the elector to be completed
 3849  indicating the elector’s current signature if the signature on
 3850  the voter’s certificate or cure affidavit did not match the
 3851  elector’s signature in the registration books or precinct
 3852  register.
 3853         Section 55. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
 3854  101.69, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 3855         101.69 Voting in person; return of vote-by-mail ballot.—
 3856         (2)(a) The supervisor shall allow an elector who has
 3857  received a vote-by-mail ballot to physically return a voted
 3858  vote-by-mail ballot to the supervisor by placing the return mail
 3859  envelope containing his or her marked ballot in a secure ballot
 3860  intake station. Secure ballot intake stations must shall be
 3861  placed at the main office of the supervisor, at each permanent
 3862  branch office of the supervisor which meets the criteria set
 3863  forth in s. 101.657(1)(a) for branch offices used for early
 3864  voting and which is open for at least the minimum number of
 3865  hours prescribed by s. 98.015(4), and at each designated early
 3866  voting site for the election. Secure ballot intake stations may
 3867  also be placed at any other site that would otherwise qualify as
 3868  an early voting site under s. 101.657(1). Secure ballot intake
 3869  stations must be geographically located so as to provide all
 3870  voters in the county with an equal opportunity to cast a ballot,
 3871  insofar as is practicable. Except for secure ballot intake
 3872  stations at the main an office of the supervisor, a secure
 3873  ballot intake station may only be used during the county’s early
 3874  voting hours of operation and must be monitored in person by an
 3875  employee of the supervisor’s office. A secure ballot intake
 3876  station at an office of the supervisor must be continuously
 3877  monitored in person by an employee of the supervisor’s office
 3878  when the secure ballot intake station is accessible for deposit
 3879  of ballots. The department shall adopt rules to implement this
 3880  paragraph.
 3881         Section 56. Section 101.6921, Florida Statutes, is amended
 3882  to read:
 3883         101.6921 Delivery of special vote-by-mail ballot to certain
 3884  first-time voters.—
 3885         (1) The provisions of This section applies apply to voters
 3886  who are subject to the provisions of s. 97.0535 and who have not
 3887  provided the identification or information certification
 3888  required by s. 97.0535 by the time the vote-by-mail ballot is
 3889  mailed.
 3890         (2) The supervisor shall enclose with each vote-by-mail
 3891  ballot three envelopes: a secrecy envelope or privacy sleeve,
 3892  into which the absent voter elector will enclose his or her
 3893  marked ballot; an envelope containing the Voter’s Certificate,
 3894  into which the absent voter elector shall place the secrecy
 3895  envelope or privacy sleeve; and a mailing envelope, which must
 3896  shall be addressed to the supervisor and into which the absent
 3897  voter elector will place the envelope containing the Voter’s
 3898  Certificate and a copy of the required identification.
 3899         (3) The Voter’s Certificate must shall be in substantially
 3900  the following form:
 3901  
 3902  Note: Please Read Instructions Carefully Before Marking Ballot
 3903  and Completing Voter’s Certificate.
 3904  
 3905                         VOTER’S CERTIFICATE                       
 3906  
 3907         I, ...., do solemnly swear or affirm that I am a qualified
 3908  and registered voter of .... County, Florida, and that I have
 3909  not and will not vote more than one ballot in this election. I
 3910  understand that if I commit or attempt to commit any fraud in
 3911  connection with voting, vote a fraudulent ballot, or vote more
 3912  than once in an election, I can be convicted of a felony of the
 3913  third degree and fined up to $5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to
 3914  5 years. I also understand that failure to sign this certificate
 3915  will invalidate my ballot. I understand that unless I meet one
 3916  of the exemptions below, I must provide a copy of a current and
 3917  valid identification as provided in the instruction sheet to the
 3918  supervisor of elections in order for my ballot to count.
 3919         I further certify that I am exempt from the requirements to
 3920  furnish a copy of a current and valid identification with my
 3921  ballot because of one or more of the following (check all that
 3922  apply):
 3923         ☐ I am 65 years of age or older.
 3924         ☐ I have a permanent or temporary physical disability.
 3925         ☐ I am a member of a uniformed service on active duty who,
 3926  by reason of such active duty, will be absent from the county on
 3927  election day.
 3928         ☐ I am a member of the Merchant Marine who, by reason of
 3929  service in the Merchant Marine, will be absent from the county
 3930  on election day.
 3931         ☐ I am the spouse or dependent of a member of the uniformed
 3932  service or Merchant Marine who, by reason of the active duty or
 3933  service of the member, will be absent from the county on
 3934  election day.
 3935         ☐ I am currently residing outside the United States.
 3936  
 3937  ...(Date)...                           ...(Voter’s Signature)...
 3938  
 3939         (4) The certificate must shall be arranged on the back of
 3940  the envelope so that the line for the signature of the absent
 3941  voter elector is across the seal of the envelope.
 3942         Section 57. Subsection (2) of section 101.6923, Florida
 3943  Statutes, is amended to read:
 3944         101.6923 Special vote-by-mail ballot instructions for
 3945  certain first-time voters.—
 3946         (2) A voter covered by this section must be provided with
 3947  printed instructions with his or her vote-by-mail ballot in
 3948  substantially the following form:
 3949  
 3950         READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE MARKING YOUR
 3951         BALLOT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY CAUSE
 3952         YOUR BALLOT NOT TO COUNT.
 3953  
 3954         1. In order to ensure that your vote-by-mail ballot will be
 3955  counted, it should be completed and returned as soon as possible
 3956  so that it can reach the supervisor of elections of the county
 3957  in which your precinct is located no later than 7 p.m. on the
 3958  date of the election. However, if you are an overseas voter
 3959  casting a ballot in a presidential preference primary or general
 3960  election, your vote-by-mail ballot must be postmarked or dated
 3961  no later than the date of the election and received by the
 3962  supervisor of elections of the county in which you are
 3963  registered to vote no later than 10 days after the date of the
 3964  election. Note that the later you return your ballot, the less
 3965  time you will have to cure signature deficiencies, which is
 3966  authorized until 5 p.m. local time on the 2nd day after the
 3967  election.
 3968         2. Mark your ballot in secret as instructed on the ballot.
 3969  You must mark your own ballot unless you are unable to do so
 3970  because of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write.
 3971         3. Mark only the number of candidates or issue choices for
 3972  a race as indicated on the ballot. If you are allowed to “Vote
 3973  for One” candidate and you vote for more than one, your vote in
 3974  that race will not be counted.
 3975         4. Place your marked ballot in the enclosed secrecy
 3976  envelope and seal the envelope.
 3977         5. Insert the secrecy envelope into the enclosed envelope
 3978  bearing the Voter’s Certificate. Seal the envelope and
 3979  completely fill out the Voter’s Certificate on the back of the
 3980  envelope.
 3981         a. You must sign your name on the line above (Voter’s
 3982  Signature).
 3983         b. If you are an overseas voter, you must include the date
 3984  you signed the Voter’s Certificate on the line above (Date) or
 3985  your ballot may not be counted.
 3986         c. A vote-by-mail ballot will be considered illegal and
 3987  will not be counted if the signature on the Voter’s Certificate
 3988  does not match the signature on record. The signature on file at
 3989  the start of the canvass of the vote-by-mail ballots is the
 3990  signature that will be used to verify your signature on the
 3991  Voter’s Certificate. If you need to update your signature for
 3992  this election, send your signature update on a voter
 3993  registration application to your supervisor of elections so that
 3994  it is received before your vote-by-mail ballot is received.
 3995         6. Unless you meet one of the exemptions in Item 7., you
 3996  must make a copy of one of the following forms of
 3997  identification:
 3998         a. Identification which must include your name and
 3999  photograph: United States passport or passport card; debit or
 4000  credit card; United States uniformed services or Merchant marine
 4001  military identification; student identification; retirement
 4002  center identification; neighborhood association identification;
 4003  public assistance identification; veteran health identification
 4004  card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;
 4005  a Florida license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm; or any
 4006  an employee identification card issued by any branch,
 4007  department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the
 4008  state, a county, or a municipality; or
 4009         b. Identification which shows your name and current
 4010  residence address: current utility bill, bank statement,
 4011  government check, paycheck, or government document (excluding
 4012  voter information card).
 4013         7. The identification requirements of Item 6. do not apply
 4014  if you meet one of the following requirements:
 4015         a. You are 65 years of age or older.
 4016         b. You have a temporary or permanent physical disability.
 4017         c. You are a member of a uniformed service on active duty
 4018  who, by reason of such active duty, will be absent from the
 4019  county on election day.
 4020         d. You are a member of the Merchant Marine who, by reason
 4021  of service in the Merchant Marine, will be absent from the
 4022  county on election day.
 4023         e. You are the spouse or dependent of a member referred to
 4024  in paragraph c. or paragraph d. who, by reason of the active
 4025  duty or service of the member, will be absent from the county on
 4026  election day.
 4027         f. You are currently residing outside the United States.
 4028         8. Place the envelope bearing the Voter’s Certificate into
 4029  the mailing envelope addressed to the supervisor. Insert a copy
 4030  of your identification in the mailing envelope. DO NOT PUT YOUR
 4031  IDENTIFICATION INSIDE THE SECRECY ENVELOPE WITH THE BALLOT OR
 4032  INSIDE THE ENVELOPE WHICH BEARS THE VOTER’S CERTIFICATE OR YOUR
 4033  BALLOT WILL NOT COUNT.
 4034         9. Mail, deliver, or have delivered the completed mailing
 4035  envelope. Be sure there is sufficient postage if mailed.
 4036         10. FELONY NOTICE. It is a felony under Florida law to
 4037  accept any gift, payment, or gratuity in exchange for your vote
 4038  for a candidate. It is also a felony under Florida law to vote
 4039  in an election using a false identity or false address, or under
 4040  any other circumstances making your ballot false or fraudulent.
 4041         Section 58. Subsection (5) of section 101.6952, Florida
 4042  Statutes, is amended to read:
 4043         101.6952 Vote-by-mail ballots for absent uniformed services
 4044  and overseas voters.—
 4045         (5) A vote-by-mail ballot from an overseas voter in any
 4046  presidential preference primary or general election which is
 4047  postmarked or dated no later than the date of the election and
 4048  is received by the supervisor of elections of the county in
 4049  which the overseas voter is registered no later than 10 days
 4050  after the date of the election shall be counted as long as the
 4051  vote-by-mail ballot is otherwise proper unless the ballot is
 4052  transmitted via facsimile, in which case the ballot must be
 4053  received by 7 p.m. on election day.
 4054         Section 59. Subsection (1) of section 101.694, Florida
 4055  Statutes, is amended to read:
 4056         101.694 Mailing of ballots upon receipt of federal postcard
 4057  application.—
 4058         (1) Upon receipt of a federal postcard application for a
 4059  vote-by-mail ballot executed by a person whose registration is
 4060  in order or whose application is sufficient to register or
 4061  update the registration of that person, the supervisor shall
 4062  send the ballot in accordance with s. 101.62 s. 101.62(3).
 4063         Section 60. Section 101.697, Florida Statutes, is amended
 4064  to read:
 4065         101.697 Electronic transmission of election materials.—The
 4066  Department of State shall determine whether secure electronic
 4067  means can be established for receiving ballots from overseas
 4068  voters. If such security can be established, the department must
 4069  shall adopt rules to authorize a supervisor of elections to
 4070  accept from absent uniformed services members, absent state and
 4071  National Guard members as defined in s. 250.01, first responders
 4072  as defined in s. 112.1815(1), or from overseas civilian voters
 4073  due to an armed conflict involving United States Armed Forces or
 4074  mobilization of those forces, including the state National Guard
 4075  and reserve components an overseas voter a request for a vote
 4076  by-mail ballot or a voted vote-by-mail ballot by secure
 4077  facsimile machine transmission or other secure electronic means.
 4078  The rules must provide that in order to accept a voted ballot,
 4079  the verification of the voter must be established, the security
 4080  of the transmission must be established, and each ballot
 4081  received must be recorded.
 4082         Section 61. Section 101.698, Florida Statutes, is amended
 4083  to read:
 4084         101.698 Absentee voting in emergency situations.—If a
 4085  national or local emergency or other situation arises which
 4086  makes substantial compliance with the provisions of state or
 4087  federal law relating to the methods of voting impossible or
 4088  unreasonable for absent uniformed services and absent state and
 4089  National Guard as defined in s. 250.01, a first responder as
 4090  defined in s. 112.1815(1) for overseas voters impossible or
 4091  unreasonable, such as an armed conflict involving United States
 4092  Armed Forces or mobilization of those forces, including state
 4093  National Guard and reserve components, the department Elections
 4094  Canvassing Commission may adopt by emergency rules such special
 4095  procedures or requirements necessary to facilitate absentee
 4096  voting by those persons directly affected who are otherwise
 4097  eligible to vote in the election.
 4098         Section 62. Subsection (5) of section 102.031, Florida
 4099  Statutes, is amended to read:
 4100         102.031 Maintenance of good order at polls; authorities;
 4101  persons allowed in polling rooms and early voting areas;
 4102  unlawful solicitation of voters.—
 4103         (5) No photography, including videography and other visual
 4104  or audio recording, is allowed permitted in the polling room or
 4105  early voting area, except a voter an elector may photograph his
 4106  or her own ballot.
 4107         Section 63. Section 102.141, Florida Statutes, is amended
 4108  to read:
 4109         102.141 County canvassing board; duties.—
 4110         (1) MEMBERSHIP.—The county canvassing board shall be
 4111  composed of the supervisor of elections; a county court judge,
 4112  appointed by the chief judge of the judicial circuit in which
 4113  the county is located, and who shall act as chair; and the chair
 4114  of the board of county commissioners. The names of the
 4115  canvassing board members must be published on the supervisor’s
 4116  website upon completion of the logic and accuracy test. At least
 4117  two alternate canvassing board members must be appointed
 4118  pursuant to paragraph (b) (e).
 4119         (a) In the event any member of the county canvassing board
 4120  is unable to serve, is a candidate who has opposition in the
 4121  election being canvassed, or is an active participant,
 4122  including, but not limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to
 4123  in the campaign or candidacy of any candidate who has opposition
 4124  in the election being canvassed, or is an active participant
 4125  including, but not limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to
 4126  the support or opposition of a public measure on the ballot
 4127  being canvassed, such member shall be replaced as follows:
 4128         1.(a) If a county court judge is unable to serve or if all
 4129  are disqualified, the chief judge of the judicial circuit in
 4130  which the county is located must appoint as a substitute member
 4131  a qualified voter elector of the county who is not a candidate
 4132  with opposition in the election being canvassed and who is not
 4133  an active participant, including , but not limited to, publicly
 4134  endorsing or donating to the support or opposition of in the
 4135  campaign or candidacy of any candidate with opposition in the
 4136  election being canvassed, or is an active participant including,
 4137  but not limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to the
 4138  support or opposition of a public measure on the ballot being
 4139  canvassed. In such event, the members of the county canvassing
 4140  board shall meet and elect a chair.
 4141         2.(b) If the supervisor of elections is unable to serve or
 4142  is disqualified, the chair of the board of county commissioners
 4143  must appoint as a substitute member a member of the board of
 4144  county commissioners who is not a candidate with opposition in
 4145  the election being canvassed and who is not an active
 4146  participant, including, but not limited to, publicly endorsing
 4147  or donating to the support or opposition of in the campaign or
 4148  candidacy of any candidate with opposition in the election being
 4149  canvassed, or is an active participant, including, but not
 4150  limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to the support or
 4151  opposition of a public measure on the ballot being canvassed.
 4152  The supervisor, however, shall act in an advisory capacity to
 4153  the canvassing board.
 4154         3.(c) If the chair of the board of county commissioners is
 4155  unable to serve or is disqualified, the board of county
 4156  commissioners must appoint as a substitute member one of its
 4157  members who is not a candidate with opposition in the election
 4158  being canvassed and who is not an active participant, including,
 4159  but not limited to, publicly endorsing or donating to the
 4160  support or opposition of in the campaign or candidacy of any
 4161  candidate with opposition in the election being canvassed, or is
 4162  an active participant including, but not limited to, publicly
 4163  endorsing or donating to the support or opposition of a public
 4164  measure on the ballot being canvassed.
 4165         (d) If a substitute member or alternate member cannot be
 4166  appointed as provided elsewhere in this subsection, or in the
 4167  event of a vacancy in such office, the chief judge of the
 4168  judicial circuit in which the county is located must appoint as
 4169  a substitute member or alternate member a qualified elector of
 4170  the county who is not a candidate with opposition in the
 4171  election being canvassed and who is not an active participant in
 4172  the campaign or candidacy of any candidate with opposition in
 4173  the election being canvassed.
 4174         (b)1.(e)1. The chief judge of the judicial circuit in which
 4175  the county is located shall appoint a county court judge as an
 4176  alternate member of the county canvassing board or, if each
 4177  county court judge is unable to serve or is disqualified, shall
 4178  appoint an alternate member who is qualified to serve as a
 4179  substitute member under paragraph (a). Any alternate may serve
 4180  in any seat.
 4181         2. The chair of the board of county commissioners shall
 4182  appoint a member of the board of county commissioners as an
 4183  alternate member of the county canvassing board or, if each
 4184  member of the board of county commissioners is unable to serve
 4185  or is disqualified, shall appoint an alternate member who is
 4186  qualified to serve as a substitute member under paragraph (d).
 4187         3. If a member of the county canvassing board is unable to
 4188  participate in a meeting of the board, the chair of the county
 4189  canvassing board or his or her designee must designate which
 4190  alternate member will serve as a member of the board in the
 4191  place of the member who is unable to participate at that
 4192  meeting.
 4193         4. If not serving as one of the three members of the county
 4194  canvassing board, an alternate member may be present, observe,
 4195  and communicate with the three members constituting the county
 4196  canvassing board, but may not vote in the board’s decisions or
 4197  determinations.
 4198         (c)If a substitute member or alternate member cannot be
 4199  appointed as provided in this subsection, or in the event of a
 4200  vacancy in such office, the chief judge of the judicial circuit
 4201  in which the county is located must appoint as a substitute
 4202  member or alternate member a qualified voter of the county who
 4203  is not a candidate with opposition in the election being
 4204  canvassed and who is not an active participant, including
 4205  endorsing, supporting, or donating, in the campaign or candidacy
 4206  of a candidate who has opposition in the election being
 4207  canvassed or in the support or opposition of a public measure on
 4208  the ballot being canvassed.
 4209         (2)IDENTIFICATION.—Each member, substitute member, and
 4210  alternate member of the county canvassing board and all clerical
 4211  help must wear identification badges during any period in which
 4212  the county canvassing board is canvassing votes or engaging in
 4213  other official duties. The identification badges must be worn in
 4214  a conspicuous or unobstructed area, and include the name of the
 4215  individual and his or her official position.
 4216         (3)LEGAL REPRESENTATION.—The county canvassing board shall
 4217  retain the county attorney of the county in which the canvassing
 4218  board sits for any legal representation. The canvassing board
 4219  may retain legal counsel other than the county attorney upon the
 4220  affirmative vote of at least two of the members of the board.
 4221         (4)PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE.—
 4222         (a) The county canvassing board shall meet in a building
 4223  accessible to the public in the county where the election
 4224  occurred at a time and place to be designated by the supervisor
 4225  to publicly canvass the absent voter’s electors’ ballots as
 4226  provided for in s. 101.68 and provisional ballots as provided by
 4227  ss. 101.048, 101.049, and 101.6925. During each meeting of the
 4228  county canvassing board, each political party and each candidate
 4229  may have one watcher able to view directly or on a display
 4230  screen ballots being examined for signature matching and other
 4231  processes. Provisional ballots cast pursuant to s. 101.049 shall
 4232  be canvassed in a manner that votes for candidates and issues on
 4233  those ballots can be segregated from other votes. As soon as the
 4234  absent voter’s electors’ ballots and the provisional ballots are
 4235  canvassed, the board shall proceed to publicly canvass the vote
 4236  given each candidate, nominee, constitutional amendment, or
 4237  other measure submitted to the electorate of the county, as
 4238  shown by the returns then on file in the office of the
 4239  supervisor.
 4240         (b) Public notice of the canvassing board members,
 4241  alternates, time, and place at which the county canvassing board
 4242  shall meet to canvass the absent voters’ electors’ ballots and
 4243  provisional ballots must be given at least 48 hours prior
 4244  thereto by publication on the county’s website as provided in s.
 4245  50.0311, on the supervisor’s website, or in one or more
 4246  newspapers of general circulation in the county. If the
 4247  applicable website becomes unavailable or there is no newspaper
 4248  of general circulation in the county, the notice must be posted
 4249  in at least four conspicuous places in the county. The time
 4250  given in the notice as to the convening of the meeting of the
 4251  county canvassing board must be specific and may not be a time
 4252  period during which the board may meet.
 4253         (c) If the county canvassing board suspends or recesses a
 4254  meeting publicly noticed pursuant to paragraph (b) for a period
 4255  lasting more than 60 minutes, the board must post on the
 4256  supervisor’s website the anticipated time at which the board
 4257  expects to reconvene. If the county canvassing board does not
 4258  reconvene at the specified time, the board must provide at least
 4259  2 hours’ notice, which must be posted on the supervisor’s
 4260  website, before reconvening.
 4261         (d) During any meeting of the county canvassing board, a
 4262  physical notice must be placed in a conspicuous area near the
 4263  public entrance to the building in which the meeting is taking
 4264  place. The physical notice must include the names of the
 4265  individuals officially serving as the county canvassing board,
 4266  the names of any alternate members, the time of the meeting, and
 4267  a brief statement as to the anticipated activities of the county
 4268  canvassing board.
 4269         (5)(3)CANVASS OF RETURNS AND PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.—The
 4270  canvass, except the canvass of absent voters’ electors’ returns
 4271  and the canvass of provisional ballots, must shall be made from
 4272  the returns and certificates of the inspectors as signed and
 4273  filed by them with the supervisor, and the county canvassing
 4274  board may shall not change the number of votes cast for a
 4275  candidate, nominee, constitutional amendment, or other measure
 4276  submitted to the electorate of the county, respectively, in any
 4277  polling place, as shown by the returns. All returns must shall
 4278  be made to the board on or before 2 a.m. of the day following
 4279  any primary, general, or other election. If the returns from any
 4280  precinct are missing, if there are any omissions on the returns
 4281  from any precinct, or if there is an obvious error on any such
 4282  returns, the canvassing board must shall order a retabulation of
 4283  the returns from such precinct. Before canvassing such returns,
 4284  the canvassing board shall examine the tabulation of the ballots
 4285  cast in such precinct and determine whether the returns
 4286  correctly reflect the votes cast. If there is a discrepancy
 4287  between the returns and the tabulation of the ballots cast, the
 4288  tabulation of the ballots cast must shall be presumed correct
 4289  and such votes shall be canvassed accordingly.
 4290         (4) PRELIMINARY RESULTS.—
 4291         (a) The supervisor of elections shall upload into the
 4292  county’s election management system by 7 p.m. local time on the
 4293  day before the election the results of all early voting and
 4294  vote-by-mail ballots that have been canvassed and tabulated by
 4295  the end of the early voting period. Pursuant to ss. 101.5614(8),
 4296  101.657, and 101.68(2), the tabulation of votes cast or the
 4297  results of such uploads may not be made public before the close
 4298  of the polls on election day.
 4299         (b) The supervisor of elections, on behalf of the
 4300  canvassing board shall report all early voting and all tabulated
 4301  vote-by-mail results to the Department of State within 30
 4302  minutes after the polls close. Thereafter, the canvassing board
 4303  shall report, with the exception of provisional ballot results,
 4304  updated precinct election results must be uploaded to the
 4305  department at least every 45 minutes until all results are
 4306  completely reported. The supervisor of elections shall notify
 4307  the department immediately of any circumstances that do not
 4308  permit periodic updates as required. Results must shall be
 4309  submitted in a format prescribed by the department.
 4310         (7)(5)UNOFFICIAL RETURNS.—
 4311         (a) The canvassing board shall submit on forms or in
 4312  formats provided by the division unofficial returns to the
 4313  Department of State for each federal, statewide, state, or
 4314  multicounty office or ballot measure no later than noon on the
 4315  third day after any primary election and no later than noon on
 4316  the fourth day after any general or other election. Such returns
 4317  must shall include the canvass of all ballots, including write
 4318  in votes, as required by subsection (2).
 4319         (b)After unofficial results are reported, each county
 4320  shall conduct a machine vote validation process to validate that
 4321  the votes processed through the vote tabulation system for a
 4322  candidate for any office, candidate for retention to a judicial
 4323  office, or a measure appearing on the ballot are not within one
 4324  half of one percent or less; or if the vote validation process
 4325  results in a change in the outcome of the contest, even if by
 4326  less than one-half of one percent. The machine vote validation
 4327  procedure must be completed no later than noon on the 7th day
 4328  after any general or other election.
 4329         (c)(6) If the county canvassing board determines, after the
 4330  county conducts the automated independent vote validation
 4331  process in accordance with s. 101.591 and the comparison of the
 4332  results of the vote tabulation and the automated independent
 4333  cote validation indicates that the unofficial returns may
 4334  contain a counting error in which the vote tabulation system
 4335  failed to count votes that were properly marked in accordance
 4336  with the instructions on the ballot, the county canvassing board
 4337  shall:
 4338         1.(a) Correct the error and retabulate the affected ballots
 4339  with the vote tabulation system; or
 4340         2.(b) Request that the Department of State verify the
 4341  tabulation software. When the Department of State verifies such
 4342  software, the department shall compare the software used to
 4343  tabulate the votes with the software filed with the department
 4344  pursuant to s. 101.5607 and check the election parameters.
 4345         (8)(7)MANUAL REVIEW.—
 4346         (a) If the comparison of the results of the vote tabulation
 4347  and the automated independent vote validation procedure reflects
 4348  a difference of more than one-half of one percent of the results
 4349  for any candidate for an office, candidate for retention to
 4350  judicial office, or a measure appearing on the ballot, the
 4351  proper county election official under the oversight of the
 4352  county canvassing board must conduct a manual review using the
 4353  images in the vote validation system of the differences, which
 4354  must include, but need not be limited to, a review of any clear
 4355  overvotes or undervotes that appear in the automated independent
 4356  vote validation system to adjudicate the voter intent of such
 4357  differences before certification of the county’s official
 4358  results unofficial returns reflect that a candidate for any
 4359  office was defeated or eliminated by one-half of a percent or
 4360  less of the votes cast for such office, that a candidate for
 4361  retention to a judicial office was retained or not retained by
 4362  one-half of a percent or less of the votes cast on the question
 4363  of retention, or that a measure appearing on the ballot was
 4364  approved or rejected by one-half of a percent or less of the
 4365  votes cast on such measure, a recount shall be ordered of the
 4366  votes cast with respect to such office or measure. The Secretary
 4367  of State is responsible for ordering such manual reviews
 4368  recounts in races that are federal or, state races that are, and
 4369  multicounty, and any other multicounty races. The county
 4370  canvassing board or the local board responsible for certifying
 4371  the election is responsible for ordering a manual review under
 4372  this subsection recounts in all other races. A manual review
 4373  recount need not be ordered with respect to the returns for any
 4374  office, however, if the candidate or candidates defeated or
 4375  eliminated from contention for such office by one-half of a
 4376  percent or less of the votes cast for such office request in
 4377  writing that a manual review recount not be made.
 4378         (a) Each canvassing board responsible for conducting a
 4379  recount shall put each marksense ballot through automatic
 4380  tabulating equipment and determine whether the returns correctly
 4381  reflect the votes cast. If any marksense ballot is physically
 4382  damaged so that it cannot be properly counted by the automatic
 4383  tabulating equipment during the recount, a true duplicate shall
 4384  be made of the damaged ballot pursuant to the procedures in s.
 4385  101.5614(4). Immediately before the start of the recount, a test
 4386  of the tabulating equipment shall be conducted as provided in s.
 4387  101.5612. If the test indicates no error, the recount tabulation
 4388  of the ballots cast shall be presumed correct and such votes
 4389  shall be canvassed accordingly. If an error is detected, the
 4390  cause therefor shall be ascertained and corrected and the
 4391  recount repeated, as necessary. The canvassing board shall
 4392  immediately report the error, along with the cause of the error
 4393  and the corrective measures being taken, to the Department of
 4394  State. No later than 11 days after the election, the canvassing
 4395  board shall file a separate incident report with the Department
 4396  of State, detailing the resolution of the matter and identifying
 4397  any measures that will avoid a future recurrence of the error.
 4398  If the automatic tabulating equipment used in a recount is not
 4399  part of the voting system and the ballots have already been
 4400  processed through such equipment, the canvassing board is not
 4401  required to put each ballot through any automatic tabulating
 4402  equipment again.
 4403         (b) Each canvassing board responsible for conducting a
 4404  recount where touchscreen ballots were used shall examine the
 4405  counters on the precinct tabulators to ensure that the total of
 4406  the returns on the precinct tabulators equals the overall
 4407  election return. If there is a discrepancy between the overall
 4408  election return and the counters of the precinct tabulators, the
 4409  counters of the precinct tabulators shall be presumed correct
 4410  and such votes shall be canvassed accordingly.
 4411         (c) The canvassing board shall submit on forms or in
 4412  formats provided by the division a second set of unofficial
 4413  returns to the Department of State for each federal, statewide,
 4414  state, or multicounty office or ballot measure. The returns
 4415  shall be filed no later than 3 p.m. on the 5th day after any
 4416  primary election and no later than 3 p.m. on the 9th day after
 4417  any general election in which a recount was ordered by the
 4418  Secretary of State. If the canvassing board is unable to
 4419  complete the recount prescribed in this subsection by the
 4420  deadline, the second set of unofficial returns submitted by the
 4421  canvassing board shall be identical to the initial unofficial
 4422  returns and the submission shall also include a detailed
 4423  explanation of why it was unable to timely complete the recount.
 4424  However, the canvassing board shall complete the recount
 4425  prescribed in this subsection, along with any manual recount
 4426  prescribed in s. 102.166, and certify election returns in
 4427  accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
 4428         (d) The Department of State shall adopt detailed rules
 4429  prescribing additional recount procedures for each certified
 4430  voting system, which shall be uniform to the extent practicable.
 4431         (8) The canvassing board may employ such clerical help to
 4432  assist with the work of the board as it deems necessary, with at
 4433  least one member of the board present at all times, until the
 4434  canvass of the returns is completed. The clerical help must
 4435  shall be paid from the same fund as inspectors and other
 4436  necessary election officials.
 4437         (c)The canvassing board shall publish notice on the county
 4438  website as provided in s. 50.0311, on the supervisor of
 4439  elections’ website, or once in one or more newspapers of general
 4440  circulation in the county of the manual review, including the
 4441  date, time, and place. Such review is open to the public.
 4442         (d)The canvassing board shall submit on forms or in
 4443  formats provided by the division a vote validation report to the
 4444  department for each federal, statewide, state, or multicounty
 4445  office or ballot measure in accordance with paragraph (7)(b). If
 4446  the canvassing board is unable to complete the manual review by
 4447  the deadline, the vote validation report submitted by the
 4448  canvassing board must be identical to the initial unofficial
 4449  returns and the submission must also include a detailed
 4450  explanation of the reason it was unable to timely complete the
 4451  manual review. However, the canvassing board shall complete the
 4452  manual review prescribed in this subsection, along with any
 4453  manual review prescribed and certify official election returns
 4454  in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
 4455         (e)The department shall adopt rules prescribing additional
 4456  manual review procedures for each certified voting system, which
 4457  must be uniform to the extent practicable.
 4458         (9) Each member, substitute member, and alternate member of
 4459  the county canvassing board and all clerical help must wear
 4460  identification badges during any period in which the county
 4461  canvassing board is canvassing votes or engaging in other
 4462  official duties. The identification badges should be worn in a
 4463  conspicuous and unobstructed area, and include the name of the
 4464  individual and his or her official position.
 4465         (10)(a) The supervisor shall file a report with the
 4466  Division of Elections on the conduct of the election no later
 4467  than 20 business days after the Elections Canvassing Commission
 4468  certifies the election. The report must, at a minimum, describe
 4469  all of the following:
 4470         1. All equipment or software malfunctions at the precinct
 4471  level, at a counting location, or within computer and
 4472  telecommunications networks supporting a county location, and
 4473  the steps that were taken to address the malfunctions.
 4474         2. All election definition errors that were discovered
 4475  after the logic and accuracy test, and the steps that were taken
 4476  to address the errors.
 4477         3. All ballot printing errors, vote-by-mail ballot mailing
 4478  errors, or ballot supply problems, and the steps that were taken
 4479  to address the errors or problems.
 4480         4. All staffing shortages or procedural violations by
 4481  employees or precinct workers which were addressed by the
 4482  supervisor of elections or the county canvassing board during
 4483  the conduct of the election, and the steps that were taken to
 4484  correct such issues.
 4485         5. All instances where needs for staffing or equipment were
 4486  insufficient to meet the needs of the voters.
 4487         6. Any additional information regarding material issues or
 4488  problems associated with the conduct of the election.
 4489         (b) If a supervisor discovers new or additional information
 4490  on any of the items required to be included in the report
 4491  pursuant to paragraph (a) after the report is filed, the
 4492  supervisor must notify the division that new information has
 4493  been discovered no later than the next business day after the
 4494  discovery, and the supervisor must file an amended report signed
 4495  by the supervisor of elections on the conduct of the election
 4496  within 10 days after the discovery.
 4497         (c) Such reports must be maintained on file in the Division
 4498  of Elections and must be available for public inspection.
 4499         (d) The division shall review the conduct of election
 4500  reports to determine what problems may be likely to occur in
 4501  other elections and disseminate such information, along with
 4502  possible solutions and training, to the supervisors of
 4503  elections.
 4504         (e) The department shall submit the analysis of these
 4505  reports for the general election as part of the consolidated
 4506  reports required under ss. 101.591 and 101.595 to the Governor,
 4507  the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
 4508  Representatives by February 15 of each year following a general
 4509  election.
 4510         (11) The supervisor shall file with the department a copy
 4511  of or an export file from the results database of the county’s
 4512  voting system and other statistical information as may be
 4513  required by the department, the Legislature, or the Election
 4514  Assistance Commission. The department shall adopt rules
 4515  establishing the required content and acceptable formats for the
 4516  filings and time for filings.
 4517         Section 64. Section 102.143, Florida Statutes, is created
 4518  to read:
 4519         102.143 Conduct of election report.—
 4520         (1)(a)The supervisor shall file a report with the division
 4521  on the conduct of the election no later than 20 business days
 4522  after the Election Canvassing Commission certifies the election.
 4523  The report must, at a minimum, describe all of the following:
 4524         1.All equipment or software malfunctions at the precinct
 4525  level, at a counting location, or within computer and
 4526  telecommunications networks supporting a county location and the
 4527  steps that were taken to address the errors.
 4528         2.All election definition errors that were discovered
 4529  after the logic and accuracy test, and the steps that were taken
 4530  to address the errors.
 4531         3.All ballot printing errors, vote-by-mail mailing errors,
 4532  or ballot supply problems and the steps that were taken to
 4533  address the errors or problems.
 4534         4.All staffing shortages or procedural violations by
 4535  employees or precinct workers which were addressed by the
 4536  supervisor of elections or the county canvassing board during
 4537  the conduct of the election, and the steps that were taken to
 4538  correct such issues.
 4539         5.All instances where needs for staffing or equipment were
 4540  insufficient to meet the needs of the voters.
 4541         6.Any additional information regarding material issues or
 4542  problems associated with the conduct of the election.
 4543         (b)If a supervisor discovers new or additional information
 4544  for any of the items required to be included in the report
 4545  pursuant to paragraph (a) after the report is filed, the
 4546  supervisor must notify the division that new information has
 4547  been discovered no later than the next business day after the
 4548  discovery, and the supervisor must file an amended report signed
 4549  by the supervisor of elections on the conduct of the election
 4550  within 10 days after the discovery.
 4551         (c)Such reports must be maintained on file in the division
 4552  and must be available for public inspection.
 4553         (2)The division shall review the conduct of election
 4554  reports to determine what problems may be likely to occur in
 4555  other elections and disseminate such information, along with
 4556  possible solutions and training, to the supervisors of
 4557  elections.
 4558         (3)For the general election, the department shall submit
 4559  the analysis of these reports as part of the consolidated
 4560  reports required under ss. 101.591 and 101.595 to the Governor,
 4561  the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
 4562  Representatives by February 15 of each year following a general
 4563  election.
 4564         Section 65. Section 102.166, Florida Statutes, is amended
 4565  to read:
 4566         102.166 Manual review recounts of overvotes and
 4567  undervotes.—
 4568         (1) If the comprehensive, validated results of the
 4569  automated independent vote validation process conducted second
 4570  set of unofficial returns pursuant to ss. 101.591 and 102.141 s.
 4571  102.141 indicates that a candidate for any office was defeated
 4572  or eliminated by one-quarter of a percent or less of the votes
 4573  cast for such office, that a candidate for retention to a
 4574  judicial office was retained or not retained by one-quarter of a
 4575  percent or less of the votes cast on the question of retention,
 4576  or that a measure appearing on the ballot was approved or
 4577  rejected by one-quarter of a percent or less of the votes cast
 4578  on such measure, a manual review recount of the overvotes and
 4579  undervotes cast in the entire geographic jurisdiction of such
 4580  office or ballot measure must shall be ordered unless:
 4581         (a) The candidate or candidates defeated or eliminated from
 4582  contention by one-quarter of 1 percent or fewer of the votes
 4583  cast for such office request in writing that a manual review
 4584  recount not be made; or
 4585         (b) The number of overvotes and undervotes is fewer than
 4586  the number of votes needed to change the outcome of the
 4587  election.
 4588  
 4589  The Secretary of State is responsible for ordering such manual
 4590  review in races that are a manual recount for federal or, state
 4591  races that are multicounty, and any other multicounty races. The
 4592  county canvassing board or local board responsible for
 4593  certifying the election is responsible for ordering a manual
 4594  review recount for all other races. A manual review recount
 4595  consists of a review recount of paper marksense ballots and if
 4596  an independent tabulation system is used, or of digital images
 4597  of those ballots by a person.
 4598         (2) Any hardware or software used to identify and sort
 4599  overvotes and undervotes for a given race or ballot measure must
 4600  be certified by the Department of State. Any such hardware or
 4601  software must be capable of simultaneously identifying and
 4602  sorting overvotes and undervotes in multiple races while
 4603  simultaneously counting votes. Overvotes and undervotes must be
 4604  identified and sorted while conducting the vote validation
 4605  process recounting ballots pursuant to s. 102.141. Overvotes and
 4606  undervotes may be identified and sorted physically or digitally.
 4607         (3) Any manual review is recount shall be open to the
 4608  public. Each political party may designate one person with
 4609  expertise in the computer field who must be allowed in the
 4610  central counting room when all tests are being conducted and
 4611  when the official votes are being counted. The designee may not
 4612  interfere with the normal operation of the canvassing board.
 4613         (4)(a) A vote for a candidate or ballot measure must shall
 4614  be counted if there is a clear indication on the ballot that the
 4615  voter has made a definite choice.
 4616         (b) The Department of State shall adopt specific rules for
 4617  the federal write-in absentee ballot and for each certified
 4618  voting system prescribing what constitutes a “clear indication
 4619  on the ballot that the voter has made a definite choice.” The
 4620  rules must shall be consistent, to the extent practicable, and
 4621  may not:
 4622         1. Authorize the use of any electronic or electromechanical
 4623  reading device to review a hybrid voting system ballot that is
 4624  produced using a voter interface device and that contains both
 4625  machine-readable fields and machine-printed text of the contest
 4626  titles and voter selections, unless the printed text is
 4627  illegible;
 4628         2. Exclusively provide that the voter must properly mark or
 4629  designate his or her choice on the ballot; or
 4630         3. Contain a catch-all provision that fails to identify
 4631  specific standards, such as “any other mark or indication
 4632  clearly indicating that the voter has made a definite choice.”
 4633         (c) The rule for the federal write-in absentee ballot must
 4634  address, at a minimum, the following issues:
 4635         1. The appropriate lines or spaces for designating a
 4636  candidate choice and, for state and local races, the office or
 4637  ballot measure to be voted, including the proximity of each to
 4638  the other and the effect of intervening blank lines.
 4639         2. The sufficiency of designating a candidate’s first or
 4640  last name when no other candidate in the race has the same or a
 4641  similar name.
 4642         3. The sufficiency of designating a candidate’s first or
 4643  last name when an opposing candidate has the same or a similar
 4644  name, notwithstanding generational suffixes and titles such as
 4645  “Jr.,” “Sr.,” or “III.” The rule should contemplate the
 4646  sufficiency of additional first names and first initials, middle
 4647  names and middle initials, generational suffixes and titles,
 4648  nicknames, and, in general elections, the name or abbreviation
 4649  of a political party.
 4650         4. Candidate designations containing both a qualified
 4651  candidate’s name and a political party, including those in which
 4652  the party designated is the candidate’s party, is not the
 4653  candidate’s party, has an opposing candidate in the race, or
 4654  does not have an opposing candidate in the race.
 4655         5. Situations where the abbreviation or name of a candidate
 4656  is the same as the abbreviation or name of a political party to
 4657  which the candidate does not belong, including those in which
 4658  the party designated has another candidate in the race or does
 4659  not have a candidate in the race.
 4660         6. The use of marks, symbols, or language, such as arrows,
 4661  quotation marks, or the word “same” or “ditto,” to indicate that
 4662  the same political party designation applies to all listed
 4663  offices or the elector’s approval or disapproval of all listed
 4664  ballot measures.
 4665         7. Situations in which an elector designates the name of a
 4666  qualified candidate for an incorrect office.
 4667         8. Situations in which an elector designates an otherwise
 4668  correct office name that includes an incorrect district number.
 4669         (5) Procedures for a manual review recount are as follows:
 4670         (a) The county canvassing board shall appoint as many
 4671  counting teams of at least two electors as is necessary to
 4672  manually review recount the ballots. A counting team must have,
 4673  when possible, members of at least two political parties. A
 4674  candidate involved in the race shall not be a member of the
 4675  counting team.
 4676         (b) Each duplicate ballot prepared pursuant to s.
 4677  101.5614(4) or s. 102.141(8) s. 102.141(7) shall be compared
 4678  with the original ballot to ensure the correctness of the
 4679  duplicate.
 4680         (c) If a counting team is unable to determine whether the
 4681  ballot contains a clear indication that the voter has made a
 4682  definite choice, the ballot must shall be presented to the
 4683  county canvassing board for a determination.
 4684         (d) The Department of State shall adopt detailed rules
 4685  prescribing additional review recount procedures for each
 4686  certified voting system which must shall be uniform to the
 4687  extent practicable. The rules must, at a minimum, shall address,
 4688  at a minimum, the following areas:
 4689         1. Security of ballots during the manual review recount
 4690  process;
 4691         2. Time and place of manual reviews recounts;
 4692         3. Public observance of manual reviews recounts;
 4693         4. Objections to ballot determinations;
 4694         5. Record of manual review recount proceedings;
 4695         6. Procedures relating to candidate and petitioner
 4696  representatives; and
 4697         7. Procedures relating to the certification and the use of
 4698  automatic tabulating equipment that is not part of a voting
 4699  system.
 4700         (6) Nothing in this section precludes a county canvassing
 4701  board or local board involved in the manual review recount from
 4702  comparing a digital image of a ballot to the corresponding
 4703  physical paper ballot during a manual review recount.
 4704         Section 66. Subsections (1), (3), and (4) of section
 4705  103.021, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 4706         103.021 Nomination for presidential electors.—Candidates
 4707  for presidential electors shall be nominated in the following
 4708  manner:
 4709         (1)(a) The Governor shall nominate the presidential
 4710  electors of each political party. The state executive committee
 4711  of each political party shall by resolution recommend candidates
 4712  for presidential electors equal to the number of senators and
 4713  representatives which this state has in Congress and deliver a
 4714  certified copy thereof to the Governor no later than noon on the
 4715  third day after the primary election in August 24 of each
 4716  presidential election year. The Governor shall nominate only the
 4717  electors recommended by the state executive committee of the
 4718  respective political party.
 4719         (b) The state executive committee of each political party
 4720  shall also certify to the Governor submit the Florida voter
 4721  registration number and contact information of each presidential
 4722  elector recommended no later than noon on the third day after
 4723  the primary election in each presidential election year. Contact
 4724  information must include mailing address, phone number, and e
 4725  mail address. Each such presidential elector must be a qualified
 4726  registered voter of this state and member of the party he or she
 4727  represents who has taken a written oath that he or she will vote
 4728  for the candidates of the party that he or she is nominated to
 4729  represent.
 4730         (c) The state executive committee of each political party
 4731  shall also certify to the Governor and submit the names of its
 4732  candidates for President and Vice President of the United States
 4733  no later than noon on the third day after the primary election
 4734  in each presidential election year.
 4735         (d) The Governor shall certify to the Department of State
 4736  each political party’s submission no later than 5 p.m. on the
 4737  third day after the primary election August 24, in each
 4738  presidential election year, the names of a number of electors
 4739  for each political party equal to the number of senators and
 4740  representatives which this state has in Congress.
 4741         (3) Candidates for President and Vice President with no
 4742  party affiliation may have their names printed on the general
 4743  election ballots if a petition is signed by 1 percent of the
 4744  registered voters of this state, as shown by the compilation by
 4745  the Department of State for the last preceding general election.
 4746  A separate petition from each county for which signatures are
 4747  solicited must shall be submitted to the supervisor of elections
 4748  of the respective county no later than noon on July 15 of each
 4749  presidential election year. The supervisor shall check the names
 4750  and, on or before the date of the primary election, shall
 4751  certify the number shown as registered voters of the county. The
 4752  supervisor shall be paid by the person requesting the
 4753  certification the cost of checking the petitions as prescribed
 4754  in s. 99.097. The supervisor shall then forward the certificate
 4755  to the Department of State which must shall determine whether or
 4756  not the percentage factor required in this section has been met.
 4757  If When the percentage factor required in this section has been
 4758  met, the candidates must submit to the Department of State no
 4759  later than 5 p.m. on the third day after the primary election in
 4760  each presidential election year, a certificate listing the name,
 4761  Florida voter registration number, and contact information of
 4762  each presidential elector equal to the number of senators and
 4763  representatives which this state has in Congress. Contact
 4764  information must include mailing address, phone number, and e
 4765  mail address. Each such presidential elector must be a qualified
 4766  voter of this state and registered as unaffiliated with any
 4767  political party and must have taken a written oath that he or
 4768  she will vote for the candidates that he or she is nominated to
 4769  represent. Upon timely certification, the department shall order
 4770  the names of the candidates for whom the petition was circulated
 4771  to be included on the ballot and shall allow the required number
 4772  of persons to be certified as presidential electors in the same
 4773  manner as party candidates.
 4774         (4)(a) A minor political party that is affiliated with a
 4775  national party holding a national convention to nominate
 4776  candidates for President and Vice President of the United States
 4777  may have the names of its candidates for President and Vice
 4778  President of the United States printed on the general election
 4779  ballot by filing with the Department of State a certificate
 4780  naming the candidates for President and Vice President and
 4781  listing the name, Florida voter registration number, and contact
 4782  information of each presidential elector equal to the number of
 4783  senators and representatives which this state has in Congress.
 4784  Contact information must include mailing address, phone number,
 4785  and e-mail address. Each such presidential elector must be a
 4786  qualified voter of this state and registered as a member of the
 4787  minor political party and must have taken a written oath that he
 4788  or she will vote for the candidates that he or she is nominated
 4789  to represent required number of persons to serve as presidential
 4790  electors. Notification to the Department of State under this
 4791  subsection must be made no later than 5 p.m. on the third day
 4792  after the primary election in the presidential election August
 4793  24 of the year in which the general election is held. Upon
 4794  timely certification, When the Department of State has been so
 4795  notified, it shall order the names of the candidates nominated
 4796  by the minor political party to be included on the ballot and
 4797  shall allow the required number of persons to be certified as
 4798  presidential electors in the same manner as other party
 4799  candidates. As used in this section, the term “national party”
 4800  means a political party that is registered with and recognized
 4801  as a qualified national committee of a political party by the
 4802  Federal Election Commission.
 4803         (b) A minor political party that is not affiliated with a
 4804  national party holding a national convention to nominate
 4805  candidates for President and Vice President of the United States
 4806  may have the names of its candidates for President and Vice
 4807  President printed on the general election ballot if a petition
 4808  for the minor political party is signed by 1 percent of the
 4809  registered voters of this state, as shown by the compilation by
 4810  the Department of State for the preceding general election. A
 4811  separate petition from each county for which signatures are
 4812  solicited must be submitted to the supervisors of elections of
 4813  the respective county no later than noon on July 15 of each
 4814  presidential election year. The supervisor shall check the names
 4815  and, on or before the date of the primary election, shall
 4816  certify the number shown as registered voters of the county. The
 4817  supervisor shall be paid by the person requesting the
 4818  certification the cost of checking the petitions as prescribed
 4819  in s. 99.097. The supervisor shall then forward the certificate
 4820  to the Department of State, which shall determine whether or not
 4821  the percentage factor required in this section has been met. If
 4822  When the percentage factor required in this section has been
 4823  met, the minor political party must submit to the Department of
 4824  State no later than 5 p.m. on the third day after the primary
 4825  election in each presidential election year, a certificate
 4826  nominating its candidates for President and Vice President and
 4827  listing the name, Florida voter registration number, and contact
 4828  information of each presidential elector equal to the number of
 4829  senators and representatives which this state has in Congress.
 4830  Contact information must include a mailing address, a phone
 4831  number, and an e-mail address. Each such presidential elector
 4832  must be a qualified voter of this state and registered as
 4833  unaffiliated with any political party and must have taken a
 4834  written oath that he or she will vote for the candidates that he
 4835  or she is nominated to represent. Upon timely certification, the
 4836  department shall order the names of the candidates for whom the
 4837  petition was circulated to be included on the ballot and shall
 4838  allow the required number of persons to be certified as
 4839  presidential electors in the same manner as other party
 4840  candidates.
 4841         Section 67. Subsection (2) of section 103.121, Florida
 4842  Statutes, is amended to read:
 4843         103.121 Powers and duties of executive committees.—
 4844         (2) The chair and treasurer of an executive committee of
 4845  any political party shall be accountable for the funds of such
 4846  committee and jointly liable for their proper expenditure for
 4847  authorized purposes only. The funds of each such state executive
 4848  committee shall be publicly audited by a licensed certified
 4849  public accountant at the end of each calendar year and a copy of
 4850  such audit furnished to the Department of State for its
 4851  examination prior to April 1 of the ensuing year. When filed
 4852  with the Department of State, copies of such audit shall be
 4853  public documents. The treasurer of each county executive
 4854  committee shall maintain adequate records evidencing receipt and
 4855  disbursement of all party funds received by him or her, and such
 4856  records shall be publicly audited by a licensed certified public
 4857  accountant at the end of each calendar year and a copy of such
 4858  audit filed with the supervisor of elections and the state
 4859  executive committee prior to April 1 of the ensuing year.
 4860         Section 68. Effective upon becoming a law, section 104.045,
 4861  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 4862         104.045 Vote selling.—Any person who:
 4863         (1) Corruptly offers to vote for or against, or to refrain
 4864  from voting for or against, any candidate in any election, or to
 4865  submit a petition form or refrain from submitting a petition
 4866  form for any initiative or candidate petition, in return for
 4867  pecuniary or other benefit; or
 4868         (2) Accepts a pecuniary or other benefit in exchange for a
 4869  promise to vote for or against, or to refrain from voting for or
 4870  against, any candidate in any election, or to submit a petition
 4871  form or refrain from submitting a petition form for any
 4872  initiative or candidate petition,
 4873  
 4874  is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as
 4875  provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
 4876         Section 69. Subsections (3) and (4) are added to section
 4877  104.047, Florida Statutes, to read:
 4878         104.047 Vote-by-mail ballots and voting; violations.—
 4879         (3) Any private or commercial mail forwarding delivery
 4880  courier or service may not further forward any voter’s official
 4881  vote-by-mail ballot or envelope that has been delivered to the
 4882  courier’s or service’s address. A person who willfully violates
 4883  this subsection is guilty of a felony of the third degree,
 4884  punishable as provided s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
 4885         (4)If a person physically collects a voter’s request for a
 4886  vote-by-mail ballot and copies or retains the voter’s request or
 4887  copies or retains a voter’s personal information, such as the
 4888  voter’s Florida driver license number, Florida identification
 4889  card number, social security number, or signature on such
 4890  request, the person commits a felony of the third degree,
 4891  punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
 4892         Section 70. Effective upon becoming a law, section 104.186,
 4893  Florida Statutes, is repealed.
 4894         Section 71. Effective upon becoming a law, section 104.187,
 4895  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 4896         104.187 Initiative petitions; registration.—A person who
 4897  violates s. 100.371(2) s. 100.371(3) commits a misdemeanor of
 4898  the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
 4899  775.083.
 4900         Section 72. Section 105.09, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
 4901         Section 73. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
 4902  106.021, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 4903         106.021 Campaign treasurers; deputies; primary and
 4904  secondary depositories.—
 4905         (1)(a) Each candidate for nomination or election to office
 4906  and each political committee shall appoint a campaign treasurer.
 4907  Each person who seeks to qualify for nomination or election to,
 4908  or retention in, office shall appoint a campaign treasurer and
 4909  designate a primary campaign depository before qualifying for
 4910  office. A candidate may not appoint himself or herself, or a
 4911  member of the candidate’s immediate family as defined in s.
 4912  101.62(1)(d), as the treasurer of his or her own campaign. Any
 4913  person who seeks to qualify for election or nomination to any
 4914  office by means of the petitioning process shall appoint a
 4915  treasurer and designate a primary depository on or before the
 4916  date he or she obtains the petitions. At the same time a
 4917  candidate designates a campaign depository and appoints a
 4918  treasurer, the candidate shall also designate the office for
 4919  which he or she is a candidate. If the candidate is running for
 4920  an office that will be grouped on the ballot with two or more
 4921  similar offices to be filled at the same election, the candidate
 4922  must indicate for which group or district office he or she is
 4923  running. This subsection does not prohibit a candidate, at a
 4924  later date, from changing the designation of the office for
 4925  which he or she is a candidate. However, if a candidate changes
 4926  the designated office for which he or she is a candidate, the
 4927  candidate must notify all contributors in writing of the intent
 4928  to seek a different office and offer to return pro rata, upon
 4929  their request, those contributions given in support of the
 4930  original office sought. This notification must shall be given
 4931  within 15 days after the filing of the change of designation and
 4932  shall include a standard form developed by the Division of
 4933  Elections for requesting the return of contributions. The notice
 4934  requirement does not apply to any change in a numerical
 4935  designation resulting solely from redistricting. If, within 30
 4936  days after being notified by the candidate of the intent to seek
 4937  a different office, the contributor notifies the candidate in
 4938  writing that the contributor wishes his or her contribution to
 4939  be returned, the candidate must shall return the contribution,
 4940  on a pro rata basis, calculated as of the date the change of
 4941  designation is filed. Up to a maximum of the contribution limits
 4942  specified in s. 106.08, a candidate who runs for an office other
 4943  than the office originally designated may use any contribution
 4944  that a donor does not request be returned within the 30-day
 4945  period for the newly designated office, provided the candidate
 4946  disposes of any amount exceeding the contribution limit pursuant
 4947  to the options in s. 106.11(5)(b) and (c) or s. 106.141(4)(a)1.,
 4948  2., or 4.; notwithstanding, the full amount of the contribution
 4949  for the original office shall count toward the contribution
 4950  limits specified in s. 106.08 for the newly designated office. A
 4951  person may not accept any contribution or make any expenditure
 4952  with a view to bringing about his or her nomination, election,
 4953  or retention in public office, or authorize another to accept
 4954  such contributions or make such expenditure on the person’s
 4955  behalf, unless such person has appointed a campaign treasurer
 4956  and designated a primary campaign depository. A candidate for an
 4957  office voted upon statewide may appoint not more than 15 deputy
 4958  campaign treasurers, and any other candidate or political
 4959  committee may appoint not more than 3 deputy campaign
 4960  treasurers. The names and addresses of the campaign treasurer
 4961  and deputy campaign treasurers so appointed must shall be filed
 4962  with the officer before whom such candidate is required to
 4963  qualify or with whom such political committee is required to
 4964  register pursuant to s. 106.03.
 4965         Section 74. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section
 4966  106.07, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 4967         106.07 Reports; certification and filing.—
 4968         (4)(a) Except for daily reports, to which only the
 4969  contributions provisions below apply, and except as provided in
 4970  paragraph (b), each report required by this section must
 4971  contain:
 4972         1. The full name, address, and occupation, if any, of each
 4973  person who has made one or more contributions to or for such
 4974  committee or candidate within the reporting period, together
 4975  with the amount and date of such contributions. For
 4976  corporations, the report must provide as clear a description as
 4977  practicable of the principal type of business conducted by the
 4978  corporation. However, if the contribution is $100 or less or is
 4979  from a relative, as defined in s. 112.312, provided that the
 4980  relationship is reported, the occupation of the contributor or
 4981  the principal type of business need not be listed.
 4982         2. The name and address of each political committee from
 4983  which the reporting committee or the candidate received, or to
 4984  which the reporting committee or candidate made, any transfer of
 4985  funds, together with the amounts and dates of all transfers.
 4986         3.a. Each loan for campaign purposes to or from any person
 4987  or political committee within the reporting period, together
 4988  with the full names, addresses, and occupations, and principal
 4989  places of business, if any, of the lender and endorsers, if any,
 4990  and the date and amount of such loans.
 4991         b.(I)If a candidate makes a loan of more than $500 to his
 4992  or her own committee, the candidate also must file an affidavit
 4993  attesting that the loan is from his or her own funds and
 4994  identifying the financial institutions from which the loan was
 4995  made and received. Within 7 days after making such loan, the
 4996  candidate must file an affidavit with the officer before whom
 4997  the candidate is required by law to qualify. All candidates who
 4998  file with the Department of State shall file their affidavits
 4999  pursuant to s. 106.0705. Except as provided in s. 106.0705,
 5000  affidavits must be filed no later than 5 p.m. of the day
 5001  designated; however, any affidavit postmarked by the United
 5002  States Postal Service no later than midnight of the day
 5003  designated is deemed to have been filed in a timely manner. Any
 5004  affidavit received by the filing officer within 5 days after the
 5005  designated due date that was delivered by the United States
 5006  Postal Service is deemed timely filed unless it has a postmark
 5007  that indicates that the affidavit was mailed after the
 5008  designated due date. A certificate of mailing obtained from and
 5009  dated by the United States Postal Service at the time of
 5010  mailing, or a receipt from an established courier company, which
 5011  bears a date on or before the date on which the affidavit is
 5012  due, suffices as proof of mailing in a timely manner. Affidavits
 5013  are open to public inspection.
 5014         (II)This sub-subparagraph does not prohibit the governing
 5015  body of a political subdivision, by ordinance or resolution,
 5016  from imposing upon its own officers and candidates electronic
 5017  filing requirements not in conflict with s. 106.0705.
 5018  Expenditure of public funds for such purpose is deemed to be for
 5019  a valid public purpose.
 5020         (III)If a candidate fails to submit the affidavit as
 5021  required by sub-sub-subparagraph (I), he or she must be fined
 5022  $50 for each date.
 5023         4. A statement of each contribution, rebate, refund, or
 5024  other receipt not otherwise listed under subparagraphs 1.
 5025  through 3.
 5026         5. The total sums of all loans, in-kind contributions, and
 5027  other receipts by or for such committee or candidate during the
 5028  reporting period. The reporting forms shall be designed to
 5029  elicit separate totals for in-kind contributions, loans, and
 5030  other receipts.
 5031         6. The full name and address of each person to whom
 5032  expenditures have been made by or on behalf of the committee or
 5033  candidate within the reporting period; the amount, date, and
 5034  purpose of each such expenditure; and the name and address of,
 5035  and office sought by, each candidate on whose behalf such
 5036  expenditure was made. However, expenditures made from the petty
 5037  cash fund provided by s. 106.12 need not be reported
 5038  individually.
 5039         7. The full name and address of each person to whom an
 5040  expenditure for personal services, salary, or reimbursement for
 5041  authorized expenses as provided in s. 106.021(3) has been made
 5042  and which is not otherwise reported, including the amount, date,
 5043  and purpose of such expenditure. However, expenditures made from
 5044  the petty cash fund provided for in s. 106.12 need not be
 5045  reported individually. Receipts for reimbursement for authorized
 5046  expenditures shall be retained by the treasurer along with the
 5047  records for the campaign account.
 5048         8. The total amount withdrawn and the total amount spent
 5049  for petty cash purposes pursuant to this chapter during the
 5050  reporting period.
 5051         9. The total sum of expenditures made by such committee or
 5052  candidate during the reporting period.
 5053         10. The amount and nature of debts and obligations owed by
 5054  or to the committee or candidate, which relate to the conduct of
 5055  any political campaign.
 5056         11. Transaction information for each credit card purchase.
 5057  Receipts for each credit card purchase shall be retained by the
 5058  treasurer with the records for the campaign account.
 5059         12. The amount and nature of any separate interest-bearing
 5060  accounts or certificates of deposit and identification of the
 5061  financial institution in which such accounts or certificates of
 5062  deposit are located.
 5063         13. The primary purposes of an expenditure made indirectly
 5064  through a campaign treasurer pursuant to s. 106.021(3) for goods
 5065  and services such as communications media placement or
 5066  procurement services, campaign signs, insurance, and other
 5067  expenditures that include multiple components as part of the
 5068  expenditure. The primary purpose of an expenditure shall be that
 5069  purpose, including integral and directly related components,
 5070  that comprises 80 percent of such expenditure.
 5071         Section 75. Subsection (12) of section 106.08, Florida
 5072  Statutes, is amended to read:
 5073         106.08 Contributions; limitations on.—
 5074         (12)(a)1. For purposes of this subsection, the term
 5075  “foreign national” means:
 5076         a. A foreign government;
 5077         b. A foreign political party;
 5078         c. A foreign corporation, partnership, association,
 5079  organization, or other combination of persons organized under
 5080  the laws of or having its principal place of business in a
 5081  foreign country;
 5082         d. A person with foreign citizenship; or
 5083         e. A person who is not a citizen or national of the United
 5084  States and is not lawfully admitted to the United States for
 5085  permanent residence.
 5086         2. The term does not include:
 5087         a. A person who is a dual citizen or dual national of the
 5088  United States and a foreign country.
 5089         b. A domestic subsidiary of a foreign corporation,
 5090  partnership, association, organization, or other combination of
 5091  persons organized under the laws of or having its principal
 5092  place of business in a foreign country if:
 5093         (I) The donations and disbursements used toward a
 5094  contribution or an expenditure are derived entirely from funds
 5095  generated by the subsidiary’s operations in the United States;
 5096  and
 5097         (II) All decisions concerning donations and disbursements
 5098  used toward a contribution or an expenditure are made by
 5099  individuals who either hold United States citizenship or are
 5100  permanent residents of the United States. For purposes of this
 5101  sub-sub-subparagraph, decisions concerning donations and
 5102  disbursements do not include decisions regarding the
 5103  subsidiary’s overall budget for contributions or expenditures in
 5104  connection with an election.
 5105         (b) A foreign national may not make or offer to make,
 5106  directly or indirectly, a contribution or expenditure in
 5107  connection with any election held in the state, including any of
 5108  the following:
 5109         1.In support or opposition to a candidate for any elective
 5110  office in this state, including an office of a political party.
 5111         2.In support or opposition to a statewide ballot issue or
 5112  question, regardless of whether the ballot issue or question has
 5113  yet been certified to appear on the ballot.
 5114         3.For the direct cost of producing or airing an
 5115  electioneering communication.
 5116         4.To a candidate, campaign committee, political action
 5117  committee, political contributing entity, legislative campaign
 5118  fund, state candidate fund, to any committee created to support
 5119  or oppose a ballot issue or question, or, to the maximum extent
 5120  permitted by law and by the Constitution of the United States
 5121  and the State Constitution, to a continuing association.
 5122         (c)A foreign national may not promise, either expressly or
 5123  implicitly, to make a contribution, an expenditure, an
 5124  independent expenditure, or disbursement described in
 5125  subparagraph (b)1., subparagraph (b)2., subparagraph (b)3., or
 5126  subparagraph (b)4.
 5127         (d)A political party, a political committee, a committee
 5128  created to support or oppose a ballot issue or question, an
 5129  electioneering communications organization, or a candidate may
 5130  not knowingly accept or solicit directly or indirectly, a
 5131  contribution from a foreign national in connection with any
 5132  election held in this state. A person who violates this section
 5133  commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in
 5134  s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
 5135         (e)1.A person who knowingly violates paragraph (b) commits
 5136  a misdemeanor of the first degree on a first offense and commits
 5137  a felony of the third degree on a second or subsequent offense.
 5138  The violator shall also be fined an amount equal to three times
 5139  the amount involved in the violation or $10,000, whichever is
 5140  greater.
 5141         2.A person who knowingly violates paragraph (c) commits a
 5142  misdemeanor of the first degree on a first offense and commits a
 5143  felony of the third degree on a second or subsequent offense.
 5144  The violator shall also be fined an amount equal to three times
 5145  the amount involved in the violation or $10,000 dollars,
 5146  whichever amount is greater, and is required to return the total
 5147  amount accepted in violation of this section to the division.
 5148         Section 76. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
 5149  106.087, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 5150         106.087 Independent expenditures; contribution limits;
 5151  restrictions on political parties and political committees.—
 5152         (1)(a) As a condition of receiving a rebate of filing fees
 5153  and party assessment funds pursuant to s. 99.061(1)(b) s.
 5154  99.061(2), s. 99.092(1), s. 99.103, or s. 103.121(1)(b), the
 5155  chair or treasurer of a state or county executive committee
 5156  shall take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation in writing.
 5157  During the qualifying period for state candidates and prior to
 5158  distribution of such funds, a printed copy of the oath or
 5159  affirmation shall be filed with the Secretary of State and shall
 5160  be substantially in the following form:
 5161  
 5162  State of Florida
 5163  County of....
 5164         Before me, an officer authorized to administer oaths,
 5165  personally appeared ...(name)..., to me well known, who, being
 5166  sworn, says that he or she is the ...(title)... of the ...(name
 5167  of party)... ...(state or specified county)... executive
 5168  committee; that the executive committee has not made, either
 5169  directly or indirectly, an independent expenditure in support of
 5170  or opposition to a candidate or elected public official in the
 5171  prior 6 months; that the executive committee will not make,
 5172  either directly or indirectly, an independent expenditure in
 5173  support of or opposition to a candidate or elected public
 5174  official, through and including the upcoming general election;
 5175  and that the executive committee will not violate the
 5176  contribution limits applicable to candidates under s. 106.08(2),
 5177  Florida Statutes.
 5178  ...(Signature of committee officer)...
 5179  ...(Address)...
 5180  
 5181  Sworn to and subscribed before me this .... day of ....,
 5182  ...(year)..., at .... County, Florida.
 5183         ...(Signature and title of officer administering oath)...
 5184         Section 77. Effective upon becoming a law, subsection (3)
 5185  of section 106.19, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 5186         106.19 Violations by candidates, persons connected with
 5187  campaigns, and political committees.—
 5188         (3) A political committee sponsoring a constitutional
 5189  amendment proposed by initiative which submits a petition form
 5190  gathered by a paid petition circulator which does not provide
 5191  the name and address of the paid petition circulator on the form
 5192  is subject to the civil penalties prescribed in s. 106.265.
 5193         Section 78. Section 113.01, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
 5194         Section 79. Section 113.02, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
 5195         Section 80. Section 113.03, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
 5196         Section 81. Section 113.051, Florida Statutes, is amended
 5197  to read:
 5198         113.051 Grants and commissions.—All grants and commissions
 5199  shall be in the name and under the authority of the State of
 5200  Florida, sealed with the great seal of the state, signed by the
 5201  Governor, and countersigned by the Secretary of State. A
 5202  commission may not be issued by the Governor or attested to by
 5203  the Secretary of State or bear the deal of the state until the
 5204  oath of office is filed as required by s. 113.06.
 5205         Section 82. Effective upon becoming a law, paragraph (c) of
 5206  subsection (1) of section 212.055, Florida Statutes, is amended
 5207  to read:
 5208         212.055 Discretionary sales surtaxes; legislative intent;
 5209  authorization and use of proceeds.—It is the legislative intent
 5210  that any authorization for imposition of a discretionary sales
 5211  surtax shall be published in the Florida Statutes as a
 5212  subsection of this section, irrespective of the duration of the
 5213  levy. Each enactment shall specify the types of counties
 5214  authorized to levy; the rate or rates which may be imposed; the
 5215  maximum length of time the surtax may be imposed, if any; the
 5216  procedure which must be followed to secure voter approval, if
 5217  required; the purpose for which the proceeds may be expended;
 5218  and such other requirements as the Legislature may provide.
 5219  Taxable transactions and administrative procedures shall be as
 5220  provided in s. 212.054.
 5221         (1) CHARTER COUNTY AND REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
 5222  SURTAX.—
 5223         (c)1. The proposal to adopt a discretionary sales surtax as
 5224  provided in this subsection and to create a trust fund within
 5225  the county accounts shall be placed on the ballot in accordance
 5226  with law and must be approved in a referendum held at a general
 5227  election in accordance with subsection (10).
 5228         2. If the proposal to adopt a surtax is by initiative, the
 5229  petition sponsor must, at least 180 days before the proposed
 5230  referendum, comply with all of the following:
 5231         a. Provide a copy of the final resolution or ordinance to
 5232  the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
 5233  Accountability. The Office of Program Policy Analysis and
 5234  Government Accountability shall procure a certified public
 5235  accountant in accordance with subsection (11) for the
 5236  performance audit.
 5237         b. File the initiative petition and its required valid
 5238  signatures with the supervisor of elections. The supervisor of
 5239  elections shall verify signatures and retain signature forms in
 5240  the same manner as required for initiatives under s. 100.371(6)
 5241  s. 100.371(11).
 5242         3. The failure of an initiative sponsor to comply with the
 5243  requirements of subparagraph 2. renders any referendum held
 5244  void.
 5245         Section 83. Section 322.034, Florida Statutes, is created
 5246  to read:
 5247         322.034 Legal status designation on state-issued driver
 5248  licenses and identification cards.—
 5249         (1)A driver license or Florida identification card issued
 5250  new or as a renewal to a qualified application must include the
 5251  legal status of the licensee or card-holder as a United States
 5252  citizen, an immigrant, or non-immigrant as last recorded in the
 5253  system at the time of issuance or renewal.
 5254         (2)An applicant seeking to update his or her legal status
 5255  of immigrant or non-immigrant to a legal status of United States
 5256  citizen upon presentation of the requisite documentation must be
 5257  permitted to do so without paying a fee for renewal.
 5258         (3)The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
 5259  must be in compliance with this section no later than July 1,
 5260  2026.
 5261         Section 84. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (8) of
 5262  section 895.02, Florida Statutes, to read:
 5263         895.02 Definitions.—As used in ss. 895.01-895.08, the term:
 5264         (8) “Racketeering activity” means to commit, to attempt to
 5265  commit, to conspire to commit, or to solicit, coerce, or
 5266  intimidate another person to commit:
 5267         (d) A violation of the Florida Election Code, relating to
 5268  irregularities or fraud involving voter registration, voting,
 5269  candidate petitions, or issue petition activities.
 5270         Section 85. Paragraph (t) of subsection (2) of section
 5271  1003.42, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 5272         1003.42 Required instruction.—
 5273         (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public
 5274  schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education
 5275  and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and
 5276  faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the
 5277  highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy,
 5278  following the prescribed courses of study, and employing
 5279  approved methods of instruction, the following:
 5280         (t) Civic and character education on the qualities and
 5281  responsibilities of patriotism and citizenship, including
 5282  kindness; respect for authority, life, liberty, and personal
 5283  property; honesty; charity; racial, ethnic, and religious
 5284  tolerance; and cooperation and, for grades 11 and 12, voting
 5285  using the uniform primary and general election ballot described
 5286  in s. 101.151(6) s. 101.151(9).
 5287  
 5288  The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards
 5289  and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection.
 5290  Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the
 5291  recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is
 5292  offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or
 5293  other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness
 5294  initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (u).
 5295         Section 86. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
 5296  act and except for this section, which shall take effect upon
 5297  this act becoming a law, this act shall take effect July 1,
 5298  2025.