DeSantis Signs Election Integrity Bill

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a measure mirroring the federal SAVE America Act, championed by congressional Republicans and former President Donald Trump. The new law aims to strengthen election integrity in Florida, a state with a large population and a history of close elections.

New Documentation Requirements

DeSantis stated the law ensures that only American citizens are eligible to vote in Florida elections. While the state already requires voters to attest to their citizenship, the new measure adds documentation requirements during the voter registration process.

Concerns Raised by Voting Rights Groups

Voting rights groups and Democrats have voiced opposition to the new law, arguing it could disenfranchise vulnerable voters. Concerns center around potential difficulties for individuals accessing required citizenship documentation.

Potential Impact on Voters

Jonathan Topaz, an attorney with the ACLU, expressed concern about the impact on “older Black voters who grew up in the Jim Crow South who don’t have access to birth certificates” and “naturalized citizens.” He noted that naturalized citizens are often incorrectly flagged as non-citizens.

DeSantis Defends the Law

Governor DeSantis disputed these claims, asserting that the SAVE America Act wouldn’t significantly impact most Florida voters. He stated that “99.7% of Florida voters have already complied with what that law requires” if enacted federally.

Democratic Gains in State Legislature

The signing of the bill follows recent Democratic victories in two special elections for state legislature seats in March. These wins have energized Florida Democrats, who see them as evidence of growing voter frustration and the effectiveness of increased organizing efforts.

Limited Scope of Victories

While acknowledging the limited scope of the wins, Democrats believe they demonstrate that targeted races and grassroots organizing can yield positive results in a state traditionally dominated by Republicans. Republicans, however, maintain that they still hold supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature and control the governor’s office.