FLORIDA VOTING RIGHTS AMENDMENT FAILED

HB 991, A controversial voter citizenship verification bill cleared its first House committee this week, advancing despite significant public opposition speaking out against it.

House Bill 991 bill text includes the following restrictive stipulations; 

• Require persons to swear or affirm they have reviewed voter registration instructions, and are United States citizens

• Penalties for providing false information

• Requires voter registration application to elicit documentation required by the  United States Election Assistance Commission or federal law

• Requires that the applicant’s citizenship status be verified by the records of DHSMV

• Provides that the applicant will be registered as an unverified voter, but may not vote, if his or her legal status as a United States citizen cannot be verified through DHSMV

• Requires an online voter registration system to transmit certain information to the supervisor of elections & generate certain notices

• Requires the supervisor of elections to verify the legal status of certain applicants & provide certain notices

Representative Rashon Young attempted to shift the bill's focus by filing a "strike all" amendment that would have replaced HB 991's restrictions with voter rights expansions  including same-day registration, automatic registration, and an Election Day holiday.  Rep. Young's amendment used language from HB 1419 Florida Voting Rights Act, named in honor of Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore, civil rights activists who fought for voting access before being killed in a bombing in 1951.

The committee rejected Young's amendment by a vote of 5-12, choosing to advance the original bill that will prevent eligible citizens from voting due to documentation errors and tight deadlines.

The bill now moves to its next committee stop, the Government Affairs Subcommittee.  The bill sponsor, Rep. Persons-Mulicka, said the bill is supposed to create election integrity and stated there were 198 election fraud speculations. This legislation creates unnecessary barriers that could disenfranchise legal voters who do not have access to documents such as passports, birth certificates, or state identification.

Equal Ground strongly opposes HB 991 because of its potentially harmful effects, particularly to communities that have historically faced obstacles at the ballot box. Community members concerned about the bill are encouraged to watch the first committee hearing HERE, contact their representatives to urge them to vote no, and stay informed as HB 991 continues through the legislative process.