Recording:  Voting & Elections, Implementation of New Election Laws, March 5, 2022

Speaker:  Tommy Doyle, Lee County Supervisor of Elections

Background:

The passage of SB 90 in the Florida legislature in 2021 has implications for voters, the activities of third parties such as LWV in voter registrations, and election protection and fair election administration.

1. Voters - Mail ballot requests are only good through the next regularly scheduled federal general election, i.e. the next mid-term or presidential.  When requesting a mail ballot, voters must provide a Florida driver's license, a Florida ID card number, or the last 4 digits of their Social Security number.  Drop box availability is limited to early voting days/hours, unless the drop box is at a Supervisor of Elections office.  Drop boxes may be further limited by the requirement that drop boxes may be staffed at all times.
2. Voter Registration - Voter Registration forms must be delivered to the Supervisor of Elections in the county in which the applicant resides ( or mailed or delivered to the Division of Elections in Tallahassee) within the earlier of 14 days or before registration closes for the next election.  Voter registration staff or volunteers must notify the applicants that the organization might not deliver the form within 14 days or before registration closes for the next election.
3. Fair Election Administration - Partisan challenges are easier

The bill does not allocate any State funding to support the administrative challenges.  Funding must be provided by the county.