Given the serious threat to progressive values across Florida, Equal Ground has begun an effort to engage the rising American Electorate through civic engagement activities with a goal to build and expand current capacity in communities of color with a specific emphasis on black voters and residents.
What Senate Bill 90 law means for Florida’s voters
New timeline for vote-by-mail ballot requests
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If you requested a vote-by-mail ballot for the 2020 election, then you will still receive a ballot for the November 2022 general election. However, you will need to request another ballot after November 2022 to receive mail-ballots for elections leading up to the 2024 general election. Voters have to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot for each general election moving forward.
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You should still receive mail ballots for local elections between now and November 2022 if you requested a mail ballot for the 2020 election.
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Check the status of your vote-by-mail ballot by using the voter information lookup tool on your county’s supervisor of elections website.
New ID requirements for vote-by-mail
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Whether requesting a mail ballot by phone, in writing, or in-person from your county’s supervisor of elections office, you must now provide a Florida driver’s license, a Florida identification card number, or the last four digits of your social security number.
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If you wish to vote by mail but do not feel comfortable using the last four digits of your social security number, then you must provide either your Florida driver’s license or your Florida state identification card. If you do not have a state ID or a driver’s license, Vote Riders (844) 338-8743 may be able to help.
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If you are unable to acquire a Florida ID or driver’s license, you can still vote in person during early voting or on Election Day, where other forms of ID are allowed.
New ID requirements for voter registration updates
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To change or update your address, name, or party affiliation You now must provide the last four digits of your social security number, a Florida driver’s license number, or a Florida state identification card. More detailed information on how to update your registration information can be found here.
New limits to who can return a vote-by-mail ballot for other voters
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State law now limits the number of vote-by-mail ballots you can return when assisting other voters. You may only return your ballot, as well as ballots for immediate family members (including spouse, parents, children, and grandchildren) and two additional ballots, which can be from anyone.
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Important: Rules for vote-by-mail ballot designees are different in Miami-Dade due to a local ordinance with additional requirements and limitations. Contact the Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Office at (305-499-8444) if you have questions.
Changes relating to vote-by-mail drop boxes
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The dropbox location that you used for the 2020 election may not be available in 2022. Drop boxes will now be staffed by the Supervisors of Elections Office, and those at early voting sites will only be available during the hours of operation. Drop boxes may still be offered at the main election offices if staffed. Drop boxes at the supervisors’ offices may also be available outside the hours of early voting.
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Please check for locations and availability with your county Supervisor of Elections before you go.
Changes related to ballot challenges
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SB 90 creates new opportunities for people to challenge duplicate and mail ballots. It’s important to track your vote-by-mail ballot using the voter information lookup tool on your county’s Supervisors of Elections website and resolve any issues quickly.
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If you discover that your ballot is in question due to a signature problem, you have a right to resolve or “cure” issues with your ballot. Your Supervisor of Elections must receive your completed vote-by-mail cure affidavit along with one of the approved forms of identification listed on the affidavit by 5 pm on the 2nd day after the election.
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Be proactive: Update your signature with your Supervisor of Elections office each election cycle. It is also critical that you sign the certificate on the vote-by-mail envelope before returning it. Many ballots are not counted due to missing signatures or other errors that are not corrected in time.
Removing public record exemption for returning citizens
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If you are a returning citizen who has had your voting rights restored, please be extra vigilant about tracking your ballot using the voter lookup tool on your county Supervisor’s website to ensure that it was counted. Address any issues that arise immediately. Whether a voter has had their voting rights restored is now a public record due to SB90.
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Report any unexpected problems or suspicious communications, such as phone calls, mail, or emails, to the nonpartisan election protection hotline (866-our-vote). or the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (407-901-37549).
Changes relating to voter assistance
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If you are at the polls and need voting assistance due to blindness, disability, or the inability to read or write, you still have the right to request assistance from two election officials or anyone you would like. However, you cannot receive help from your employer, one of their agents, or an officer or agent of your union.
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Attempts by anyone to offer a voter waiting in line water, food, or anything else, maybe prohibited depending on how the county implements SB90 as well.
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Elections staff can still provide nonpartisan assistance and offer voters water, food, or anything else in line.
Source: All Voting is Local Florida and Black Voters Matter
VOTER RESOURCES
Florida's Voter Assistance Hotline is 866-308-6739 | Monday - Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Questions on how to vote? Call 1-866-687-8683
Get free voter ID help by call VoteRiders at 844-338-8743
Returning Citizen Voter Questions contact Florida Rights Restoration Coalition 1-877-MYVOTE-0(1-877-698-6830).
