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Just as I did with Florida’s recent anti-protesting bill, I will try to break down our newest voter suppression bill (SB90) in simple terms.
General rule of thumb here: if DeSantis likes it, it probably sucks for most people.
With that being said, let’s dive in:
General rule of thumb here: if DeSantis likes it, it probably sucks for most people.
With that being said, let’s dive in:
Extra pieces of context I think are important to know before even beginning to break down the law:
1. The League of Women Voters AND Black Votes Matter are suing ALL 67 COUNTIES in Florida over this law.
2. Gov. DeSantis ONLY let FOX News watch him sign it.
1. The League of Women Voters AND Black Votes Matter are suing ALL 67 COUNTIES in Florida over this law.
2. Gov. DeSantis ONLY let FOX News watch him sign it.
3. There’s have only been about SIX total cases of voter fraud in Florida in FOUR YEARS
Unless you want to count that time last year when Republicans in south Florida registered fake candidates with the same or similar last name is the democrat opponent to confuse voters...
Unless you want to count that time last year when Republicans in south Florida registered fake candidates with the same or similar last name is the democrat opponent to confuse voters...
Let’s start with the good. It exists. It’s just few and far between.
Remember 3 YEARS ago when we overwhelmingly voted to give felons the right to vote back?
Well, that’s finally taken into
Remember 3 YEARS ago when we overwhelmingly voted to give felons the right to vote back?
Well, that’s finally taken into
Now that all the good is out of the way, here’s the rest:
1. It makes it harder to challenge/change/suspend/nullify an election law in court.
It’s always a good sign when a new bill literally starts with, “you can’t change this bill! Called it!”
1. It makes it harder to challenge/change/suspend/nullify an election law in court.
It’s always a good sign when a new bill literally starts with, “you can’t change this bill! Called it!”
2. Prohibits any election official/agency from using donations to pay for election-related expenses.
This SPECIFICALLY includes voter education, voter outreach, and registration programs.
The state of FL does not want to help you. It doesn’t care about you.
This SPECIFICALLY includes voter education, voter outreach, and registration programs.
The state of FL does not want to help you. It doesn’t care about you.
3. If you’ve changed your address, name, or even your party affiliation, you have to file a brand new voter registration application instead of just signing a document.
This process is longer and (probably) will take much longer if your new party starts with “D”
This process is longer and (probably) will take much longer if your new party starts with “D”
4. The DMV now has to work w/ the Department of State “regularly” to identify changes in address.
No specificity on how often “regularly” is, and the rest of the language is vague.
This will just be used to disenfranchise voters close to election time.
No specificity on how often “regularly” is, and the rest of the language is vague.
This will just be used to disenfranchise voters close to election time.
5. New rules for 3rd party orgs that collect voter registrations!
A. They HAVE TO tell you how to apply online.
B. The HAVE TO tell you that they might not deliver your application (regardless if true or not)
This will just discourage new (young) and/or undecided voters.
A. They HAVE TO tell you how to apply online.
B. The HAVE TO tell you that they might not deliver your application (regardless if true or not)
This will just discourage new (young) and/or undecided voters.
6. If an elected official resigns, their office is deemed vacant immediately.
Vacancies are filled in different ways (Governor, committee, party, etc.)
Previously, if an elected official resigned, we would HOLD ANOTHER ELECTION!!!!
I shouldn’t have to explain why this is bad.
Vacancies are filled in different ways (Governor, committee, party, etc.)
Previously, if an elected official resigned, we would HOLD ANOTHER ELECTION!!!!
I shouldn’t have to explain why this is bad.
7. Grants candidates, political party, or political committee officials “reasonable access” to inspect ballots before they’re counted
AND allows candidates and political parties to send watchers to view ballots being examined.
This one just feels slimy to me.
AND allows candidates and political parties to send watchers to view ballots being examined.
This one just feels slimy to me.
8. Mail in ballot requests now only send ballots for the next election, instead of the next 2 years worth.
(Caveat: any Mail in ballot request sent in before this bill was signed is still good through 2022.)
(Caveat: any Mail in ballot request sent in before this bill was signed is still good through 2022.)
9. They’ve added this line, “During the signature comparison process, the supervisor may not use any knowledge of the political affiliation of the voter whose signature is subject to verification”
Translation: “we are sore losers who refuse to admit we lost fair & square.”
Translation: “we are sore losers who refuse to admit we lost fair & square.”
10. Ballot Drop boxes are now way more difficult to access! Yay! 
Before: drop boxes were at any supervisors office or early voting site and you could use them whenever.
Now: they’re still there, but you can only use them during certain times.
Before: drop boxes were at any supervisors office or early voting site and you could use them whenever.
Now: they’re still there, but you can only use them during certain times.
10. Cont’d -
All drop boxes must be monitored in person by an employee and can only be accessed during early voting hours of operation.
Those hours differ by county. The only mandate is that they have to be open for at least 8 hours a day, but no more than 12.
All drop boxes must be monitored in person by an employee and can only be accessed during early voting hours of operation.
Those hours differ by county. The only mandate is that they have to be open for at least 8 hours a day, but no more than 12.
11. It’s illegal to have more than 2 Mail in ballots. Even if you’re just dropping them off for a group of people.
This bill SPECIFICALLY states this also applies to assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
This bill SPECIFICALLY states this also applies to assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
I left a lot of stuff out of this thread. The bill has 33 sections and is 48 pages long, but I hit most of the important things.
This bill also requires an ID for pretty much every step of the voting process and takes effect immediately after signing.
This bill also requires an ID for pretty much every step of the voting process and takes effect immediately after signing.
