Q: Florida’s legislative session ended March 13. Has any legislation passed effecting elections?
A: Yes. Florida HB 991 (2026) was approved by the governor and signed into law on April 1, 2026. The law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
Q: What is the main purpose of Florida HB 991 (2026)?
A: The bill aims to strengthen election integrity by tightening voter registration and identification requirements, including verifying U.S. citizenship and updating election procedures.
Q: What new ID requirement does HB 991 place on voters?
A: Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, individuals registering to vote must provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable documents may include a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization or citizenship records.
Q: How does the bill change the voter registration process?
A: Applicants must affirm under oath that they are U.S. citizens, and their citizenship must be verified through state records, such as those maintained by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Q: What happens if a voter’s citizenship cannot be verified?
A: The voter will be designated as an “unverified voter” and must vote using a provisional ballot. The ballot will only be counted if citizenship is confirmed within the required timeframe.
Q: Were there any changes to ID rules at the polls?
A: Yes. The bill narrows the list of acceptable voter IDs at polling places by eliminating student IDs and retirement home or assisted living facility IDs. These changes take effect Jan. 1, 2027, after the 2026 elections.
For a current list of acceptable IDs for the 2026 elections, please visit votesjc.gov.
Q: Some readers have questions about Florida’s permitless carry law. Does this allow voters to carry a firearm in the polling place?
A: No. The public carrying of firearms, whether concealed with a license or under permitless carry, remains prohibited in certain locations under Section 790.06(12)(a)(6), Florida Statutes. This includes early voting sites and Election Day polling places.
Q: Does this include law enforcement?
A: A sworn law enforcement office who has been authorized by their agency to vote while on duty, and who is carrying a firearm in the course of their official duties, may carry a firearm into a polling place while voting or when present on official business at the request of the Elections Office.
