TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed six new bills into law, with several taking effect immediately and one major elections overhaul scheduled to roll out in 2027.
The laws, signed during a news conference in The Villages, cover a wide range of areas — from public ethics to election rules — but it’s House Bill 991 that could have the most significant long-term impact.
Big Election Changes Ahead
House Bill 991 introduces sweeping updates to Florida’s Election Code. The legislation focuses heavily on tightening election procedures and increasing transparency.
Key provisions include:
Citizenship Verification: Voter registration applicants must confirm they are U.S. citizens, with penalties for false claims.
Paper Ballots Required: All elections must use paper ballots.
Driver’s License Updates: Legal status must be listed on new or renewed IDs.
Stricter Voter ID Rules: Several forms of identification — including student IDs and credit/debit cards — will no longer be accepted.
Campaign Finance Rules: Candidates and parties are barred from knowingly accepting contributions from foreign nationals.
Federal Coordination: The state must share voter data with federal courts, which will also report ineligible voters back to the state.
New Penalties: Tougher fines and a five-year statute of limitations for election-related felonies.
Early Voting Rules: Results must be uploaded using local time by 7 p.m. the day before elections.
This law will take effect on January 1, 2027.
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Other Bills Signed Into Law
Alongside the election bill, five other measures were approved:
HB 91 — Candidate Qualification (Effective Immediately)
Candidates must confirm they have not changed their name in the year leading up to qualifying for office, with limited exceptions.
SB 288 — Electric Cooperatives (Effective July 1)
Limits certain restrictions to only those rural electric cooperatives that sell electricity directly to consumers.
SB 572 — Public Ethics (Effective Immediately)
Expands the definition of “relative” in ethics laws to include foster parents and foster children.
SB 7006 — Public Records (PSC) (Effective Immediately)
Extends confidentiality protections for sensitive business information handled by the Florida Public Service Commission.
SB 7016 — Public Records (Loan Programs) (Effective Immediately)
Protects financial and personal data tied to state and federally funded small business loan programs.
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What It Means
While some of the newly signed laws bring administrative and ethical updates, the election bill stands out as a major shift that could reshape how Florida conducts its elections in the coming years.
With its implementation set for 2027, officials say the changes are aimed at strengthening election security and accountability across the state.
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