The bill amends Florida Statutes to improve election procedures during disasters, requiring municipalities to post specific notices on their websites and mandating supervisors of elections to communicate with voters through various channels, including social media and text messages. The Division of Elections is tasked with developing an emergency contingency plan to be presented to the Legislature annually, which will be a public record. The Secretary of State must consider factors like housing and transportation when evaluating the impact of emergencies on voter participation.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for voters in disaster-affected areas, allowing them to request vote-by-mail ballots without a uniform application and providing flexible options for ballot return. It establishes strategic reserves of election equipment and allows for more early voting locations. The bill also exempts certain criminal penalties under specified conditions and requires counties to update their websites with real-time voting procedure changes. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance voter accessibility and streamline the voting process during emergencies, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1486 Filed: 101.733, 101.62, 101.657, 102.141, 104.0616