House Bill 1409 proposes comprehensive reforms to Florida's election laws, focusing on enhancing voter access and protecting voting rights. A key change is the requirement for the Secretary of State to be elected rather than appointed, alongside the establishment of the Florida Voting Rights Act, which prohibits local governments and state agencies from enacting election policies that disproportionately affect protected classes. The bill mandates the creation of a database for tracking voter information and introduces provisions for voter registration at early voting sites, as well as preregistration through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Additionally, it streamlines vote-by-mail procedures, allowing voters to cast provisional ballots at any precinct and ensuring the availability of postage-paid envelopes for mail-in ballots.

The bill also addresses the restoration of voting rights for individuals with felony convictions, establishing a database to assist those disqualified from voting, while excluding certain serious offenses. It modifies the monitoring requirements for secure ballot intake stations and introduces new definitions related to voting methods. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of protecting voting rights by prohibiting voter intimidation and deception, and it establishes a framework for local governments to seek preclearance for election policies that may impact protected classes. Overall, HB 1409 aims to promote equitable access to the electoral process and enhance the integrity of voting in Florida.

Statutes affected:
H 1409 Filed: 20.10, 97.021, 97.022, 97.0291, 97.057, 97.0575, 98.045, 101.65, 101.69, 104.42