Bill Text: FL S0460 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Elections

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2019-05-03 - Died in Ethics and Elections, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/SB 7066 (Ch. 2019-162) [S0460 Detail]

Download: Florida-2019-S0460-Introduced.html

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       Florida Senate - 2019                                     SB 460
       
       
        
       By Senator Gibson
       
       
       
       
       
       6-00600-19                                             2019460__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to elections; amending s. 101.043,
    3         F.S.; removing the requirement that identification
    4         presented by an elector at the polls contain the
    5         elector’s signature; prohibiting an election clerk or
    6         inspector from comparing the elector’s signatures on
    7         the precinct register and the provided form of
    8         identification; amending s. 101.151, F.S.; revising
    9         requirements for Department of State rules regarding
   10         ballot layout; repealing s. 101.49, F.S., relating to
   11         procedures of election officers when an elector’s
   12         signatures differ; amending s. 101.5608, F.S.;
   13         conforming a provision to changes made by the act;
   14         providing an effective date.
   15          
   16  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   17  
   18         Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
   19  101.043, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
   20         101.043 Identification required at polls.—
   21         (1)
   22         (b) If the picture identification does not contain the
   23  signature of the elector, an additional identification that
   24  provides the elector’s signature shall be required. The address
   25  appearing on the identification presented by the elector may not
   26  be used as the basis to confirm an elector’s legal residence or
   27  otherwise challenge an elector’s legal residence. The elector
   28  shall sign his or her name in the space provided on the precinct
   29  register or on an electronic device provided for recording the
   30  elector’s signature. The clerk or inspector shall compare the
   31  signature with that on the identification provided by the
   32  elector and enter his or her initials in the space provided on
   33  the precinct register or on an electronic device provided for
   34  that purpose after the elector signs his or her name and allow
   35  the elector to vote if the clerk or inspector is satisfied as to
   36  the identity of the elector. The clerk or inspector may not
   37  compare the elector’s signature on the precinct register or the
   38  electronic device with that on the identification provided by
   39  the elector and may not use a discrepancy between the two
   40  signatures as a basis for challenging the elector’s eligibility
   41  to vote.
   42         Section 2. Subsection (9) of section 101.151, Florida
   43  Statutes, is amended to read:
   44         101.151 Specifications for ballots.—
   45         (9)(a) The Department of State shall adopt rules
   46  prescribing a uniform primary and general election ballot for
   47  each certified voting system. The rules must shall incorporate
   48  the requirements set forth in this section and shall prescribe
   49  additional matters and forms that include, without limitation:
   50         1. Clear and unambiguous ballot instructions and
   51  directions;
   52         2. Individual race layout; and
   53         3. Overall ballot layout.
   54         (b) Additionally, the department rules must: shall
   55         1. Require that the ballot title and the ballot
   56  instructions and directions be centered across the top of the
   57  first page of a marksense ballot and on the first screen of a
   58  touchscreen ballot and not appear aligned to the left on the
   59  page or column of the ballot.
   60         2. Graphically depict a sample uniform primary and general
   61  election ballot form for each certified voting system.
   62         Section 3. Section 101.49, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
   63         Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 101.5608, Florida
   64  Statutes, is amended to read:
   65         101.5608 Voting by electronic or electromechanical method;
   66  procedures.—
   67         (1) Each elector desiring to vote shall be identified to
   68  the clerk or inspector of the election as a duly qualified
   69  elector of such election and shall sign his or her name on the
   70  precinct register or other form or device provided by the
   71  supervisor. The inspector shall compare the signature with the
   72  signature on the identification provided by the elector. If the
   73  inspector is reasonably sure that the person is entitled to
   74  vote, the inspector shall provide the person with a ballot.
   75         Section 5. This act shall take effect July 1, 2019.