Fact Sheet about the SB90 Elections Bill
Here are some of the important points voters should know about the new voting bill that was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 6, 2021. This legislation is being challenged in court and is subject to change. As of July 2021, these are the key details of the bill. *
- A Vote by Mail ballot request is only good for elections through the end of the calendar year for the next regularly scheduled general election.
- When requesting a mail ballot, voters must provide a Florida driver’s license number, a Florida ID card number, or the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number. If you need help in getting an ID, VoteRiders (voteriders.org) and iDignity (idignity.org) are organizations that can help.
- Drop box availability is limited to early voting sites during hours of operation and at the Supervisor of Elections office.Drop boxes must be monitored at all times.
- Strict limits on assisting other voters: A voter may only collect/deliver their own ballot, ballots for immediate family members and ballots for a maximum two other voters per election.
- Voters may no longer get to choose their own Municipal or County representatives if the representative resigns to run for another office. Previously, such positions would be filled through a special election. These vacancies may now be appointed by the Governor.
- Voters with prior felony convictions who have had their rights restored no longer benefit from a public record exemption that protected them from being targeted and having their votes challenged.
- Partisan challenges to mail ballots are now easier. Partisan observers can protest a voter’s signature on the mail ballot envelope and are now allowed closer observation of the non-partisan canvassing boards.
- This bill does not allocate any State funding to support the significant administrative changes required. The full costs fall on County budgets.
*Source: League of Women Voters of Florida