Florida Legislature passes elections bill that adds restrictions to voting
One signature now stands between Florida voters and a slew of new restrictions on casting ballots in the Sunshine State.
After days of contentious debate and last-minute amendments bouncing between chambers, the Republican-controlled state House and Senate came to an agreement and party-line votes approved Senate Bill 90 on the eve of Florida’s final day of the legislative session.
If signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, the bill would create restrictions such as adding new ID and signature requirements for voting by mail, limiting who can return a completed mail-in ballot, expanding partisan observation power during ballot tabulation and creating additional restrictions for drop box use.
The continued public fallout from the election overhaul bill signed into law in Georgia in March was frequently brought up by Democrats during debate, calling the Florida bill ârevival of Jim Crow in this state.â âThat bill that was passed in the state just north of us sent us a message, and the response to that bill should let us know we should not be doing this,â Democratic state Rep. Michael Greico said during House debate, pleading, âPlease do not Georgia my Florida.â Florida Republicans, who have repeatedly acknowledged that Florida ran a successful and secure 2020 election, said the bill would provide âguardrailsâ to prevent anyone from âgaming the systemâ in the future.