TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 991 into law on Monday, enacting new requirements for voter eligibility and election procedures. The legislation, dubbed “Florida’s SAVE Act” by the governor, mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration and requires the use of paper ballots in all elections. The move, mirroring aspects of a federal proposal known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, is being framed by DeSantis and state leaders as a measure to bolster election integrity, though critics raise concerns about potential barriers to voting.
The new law will not impact the upcoming 2024 elections, but will take effect beginning in 2025. Registered voters will be required to provide documentation establishing their U.S. Citizenship, such as a birth certificate, a valid U.S. Passport, or a Florida driver’s license. The law aims to address concerns about non-citizens potentially participating in elections, a claim that has been repeatedly made by DeSantis and other Republican officials. While instances of widespread voter fraud by non-citizens remain statistically rare, proponents argue the legislation is a proactive step to safeguard the electoral process.
What the New Law Requires
House Bill 991 introduces a two-pronged approach to election changes. First, it strengthens citizenship verification. Currently, individuals attesting to their citizenship during voter registration are not always required to provide supporting documentation. The new law changes that, requiring proof of citizenship before an individual can be registered to vote. Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux explained the logistical challenges ahead, stating, “It is going to require an enormous amount of work behind the scenes with databases.” He noted that many residents already have their citizenship information on file with the state through driver’s license records, but sharing that data across all counties will be a significant undertaking.
The second major component of the bill mandates paper ballots for all elections in Florida. This means an end to the use of electronic voting machines that do not produce a verifiable paper trail. This change is intended to increase transparency and provide a physical record for audits and recounts. The move follows a trend in some states toward hand-counted paper ballots, fueled by distrust in electronic voting systems.
Concerns and Debate Surrounding the Legislation
The passage of the law has drawn criticism from voting rights advocates, who argue that the new requirements could disproportionately affect certain populations, including naturalized citizens and those who may have difficulty obtaining the necessary documentation. Concerns have too been raised about the potential for increased administrative burdens on election officials and the possibility of voter purges.
Senator Erin Grall, a supporter of the bill, defended the legislation, stating, “Illegal aliens have admitted to voting in our elections.” However, concrete evidence of widespread illegal voting by non-citizens remains elusive. A 2017 study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that voter fraud of any kind, including by non-citizens, is exceedingly rare. The Brennan Center’s research indicates that most instances of alleged voter fraud are attributable to clerical errors or misunderstandings.
Lux acknowledged that illegal voting is “not as pervasive of a problem here in Florida as it may be elsewhere,” but believes the new law will “kind of close the loop on that.” He anticipates the biggest impact will be on individuals who move to Florida after becoming registered voters in other states, as they will be required to provide proof of citizenship upon re-registering.
Florida’s Broader Election Security Measures
The “Florida’s SAVE Act” is the latest in a series of measures taken by the state to tighten election security in recent years. In 2023, Florida eliminated ballot harvesting, a practice where third parties collect and submit absentee ballots, and established an Office of Election Crimes and Security to investigate alleged election fraud. The Governor’s office detailed these changes in a press release last year.
These actions reflect a broader national trend of states enacting stricter voting laws in the wake of the 2020 election and ongoing debates about election integrity. The debate over these laws often centers on balancing the need to prevent fraud with the importance of ensuring broad access to the ballot box.
The implementation of House Bill 991 will require significant coordination between state and county election officials, as well as public education efforts to inform voters about the new requirements. The Florida Department of State will be responsible for developing and implementing the necessary procedures and databases to ensure a smooth transition. The department has not yet released a detailed timeline for implementation, but officials have indicated they will work closely with county supervisors of elections to address any challenges that may arise.
The next key step will be the development of the new database infrastructure and the creation of clear guidelines for acceptable forms of citizenship documentation. The Florida Department of State is expected to release further details on these plans in the coming months.
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