Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Florida SAVE Act (House Bill 991) on Wednesday, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. The law aims to enhance election integrity by verifying citizenship status and expanding penalties for election-related violations. Critics, including voting rights groups, have filed lawsuits alleging voter suppression.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The Florida SAVE Act mandates documentary proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, for voter registration. The law also directs the Florida Department of State to identify and potentially unenroll voters who fail to provide citizenship documentation. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2027, though some provisions, like South Dakota’s, may apply sooner.
Deeper Dive & Context
Policy Details
The law adds U.S. passport cards to acceptable voter IDs while removing retirement center IDs, public assistance IDs, neighborhood association IDs, and debit/credit cards. Florida joins South Dakota and Utah as states with proof-of-citizenship voting laws this year.
Political Context
The federal SAVE America Act, championed by Republicans, has stalled in the U.S. Senate. DeSantis framed the Florida law as aligning with the federal proposal, stating, 'Our Constitution in the state of Florida says only American citizens are allowed to vote in our elections.'
Opposition & Legal Challenges
Voting rights groups, including the League of Women Voters of Florida and the ACLU, argue the law risks disenfranchising vulnerable voters, such as elderly Black voters and naturalized citizens. The ACLU filed a federal lawsuit to block the law, citing concerns about access to birth certificates and other documentation.
Broader Implications
The law reflects a broader push by Republican-led states to tighten voting requirements. Mississippi’s Shield Act, requiring voter registration applications to verify citizenship, was also recently sent to the governor for approval.