The bill amends various sections of the Florida Statutes to enhance the integrity and security of the electoral process. Key provisions include the establishment of mandatory signature matching training for certain individuals, the requirement for voter registration applicants to provide evidence of U.S. citizenship, and the expansion of the Office of Election Crimes and Security's authority to issue subpoenas and enforce compliance. Additionally, the bill introduces new procedures for the circulation and verification of initiative petitions, mandates that canvassing boards publish notices on official websites or in newspapers, and requires election officials to conduct independent vote validations. Significant deletions from current law include the removal of provisions allowing manual recounts to replace audits and the prohibition of individuals who endorse or donate to candidates from serving on county canvassing boards.

Further amendments focus on the management of voter registration and candidate qualification processes, including the requirement for the statewide voter registration system to be updated promptly upon receiving a death certificate. The bill also revises the qualifying process for candidates, updates the identification requirements at polling places, and establishes penalties for filing frivolous challenges to a voter's eligibility. Additionally, it introduces new provisions for the handling of vote-by-mail ballots, including the necessity for voters to initiate requests and the inclusion of secrecy envelopes. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline election processes while reinforcing the security and accuracy of voter registration and ballot counting, ensuring that voters are properly informed and their rights are protected during elections.

Statutes affected:
S 1414 Filed: 15.21, 16.061, 97.012, 97.021, 97.022, 97.051, 97.0575, 97.1031, 98.065, 98.212, 99.012, 99.061, 99.092, 99.095, 99.097, 100.191, 100.371, 101.043, 101.048, 101.111, 101.131, 101.151, 101.161, 101.20, 101.252, 101.5606, 101.56075, 101.5612, 101.5614, 101.572, 101.591, 101.5911, 101.595, 101.6104, 101.62, 101.64, 101.657, 101.69, 101.6921, 101.6923, 101.6952, 101.694, 101.697, 101.698, 102.031, 102.141, 102.166, 103.121, 104.045, 104.187, 105.09, 106.021, 106.07, 106.08, 106.087, 106.19, 113.01, 113.02, 113.03, 113.051, 212.055, 1003.42