Governor Ron DeSantis signs Florida SAVE Act to strengthen election integrity and security

Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis

THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Florida SAVE Act, legislation that continues Florida’s efforts to lead the nation in secure, transparent, and efficient elections.

“Safeguarding the electoral process to improve oversight and prevent unlawful influence has been a top priority for my administration since my first days in office,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today I signed the election integrity bill, also known as the Florida SAVE Act. This legislation strengthens the security, transparency, and reliability of Florida’s election system. In Florida, we will always stand up for election integrity.”

“Since 2020, Florida has enacted more significant election integrity reforms than any other state in the country,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “The Florida SAVE Act upholds the Florida Constitution by ensuring only citizens can vote in Florida elections.”

“Florida has shown that secure elections and timely results go hand in hand with enacting and enforcing strong election integrity laws,” said Senator Erin Grall. “This legislation strengthens accountability while also streamlining state systems to make it easier for Floridians to register to vote.”

“While Florida already conducts some of the most secure elections in the country, we will continue to raise the bar and set the national standard,” said Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka. “This legislation ensures that only eligible voters participate in our elections and that voters can have full confidence in the results.”

Following the 2020 election cycle, Florida enacted sweeping reforms to enhance election security, including requiring annual voter roll maintenance, strengthening identification requirements for vote-by-mail ballots, restricting third-party ballot harvesting, banning unsolicited mass mail ballot applications, and prohibiting private funding in election administration. The state also secured ballot drop boxes, implemented strict deadlines for ballot returns, and ensured voting systems remain disconnected from the internet.

In 2022, Florida further strengthened enforcement by establishing the Office of Election Crimes and Security, a first-in-the-nation unit dedicated to investigating and prosecuting election law violations.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 991 into law, which strengthens election integrity in the Free State of Florida in several key ways:

Fortifying Voter Registration and Verification

• Requires verification of U.S. citizenship using REAL ID data for new and updated voter registrations 
• Establishes a clear process to identify and remove potentially ineligible noncitizens from voter rolls
• Allows individuals to provide documentation to confirm eligibility 
• Adds explicit notice that submitting false voter registration information is a felony

Ensuring Accurate and Up-to-Date Voter Rolls

• Enhances coordination between state and local agencies to identify potentially ineligible voters 
• Requires supervisors of elections to investigate and take appropriate action

Enhancing Election Security

• Requires voting to be conducted using paper ballots, ensuring a verifiable record of every vote 
• Updates identification requirements to ensure only secure, government-issued IDs are accepted

Increasing Accountability for Candidates

• Requires candidates to affirm they meet all legal qualifications for office
• Mandates disclosure of dual citizenship
• Requires federal candidates to disclose stock trading activity while in office
• Prevents last-minute name changes intended to mislead voters
• Establishes a legal process to challenge candidate eligibility

Strengthening Enforcement of Election Laws

• Establishes a five-year statute of limitations for felony election offenses
• Cracks down on election fraud and petition-related misconduct
• Prohibits candidates, political committees, and parties from knowingly accepting foreign contributions
  

Florida continues to set the national standard when it comes to secure and efficient elections. By maintaining strong safeguards and clear rules, the state ensures that Floridians can trust the outcomes of their elections.