Take Notes, America — Florida Just Passed A Voter Integrity Bill

Florida Republicans just passed a sweeping voter integrity bill aimed at safeguarding the state’s elections — with one key timeline detail.

The Republican-controlled Legislature pushed the measure through Thursday, sending it to Gov. Ron DeSantis after it cleared both chambers in largely party-line votes. The Florida House approved the bill 77–28, while the Senate passed it earlier in the day by a 27–12 vote.

The legislation is modeled on President Donald Trump’s SAVE America Act, a federal proposal that would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.

The measure requires proof of citizenship during voter registration and expands coordination between election officials and state agencies responsible for confirming eligibility.

DeSantis praised the legislation after lawmakers sent it to his desk, saying the move would further cement Florida’s reputation as a national leader on election security.

“Although Florida has already enacted much of what the federal legislation contemplates, this will further fortify our state as the leader in election integrity,” DeSantis wrote on social media.

Florida already bans non-citizens from voting — a prohibition voters added to the state constitution in 2020. The new legislation builds on that rule by tightening how the state verifies citizenship during the voter registration process.

State Sen. Erin Grall, the Republican sponsor of the legislation, said lawmakers must continue strengthening election protections where vulnerabilities exist.

“What is our tolerance for fraud and lack of integrity?” Grall said during debate.

State investigators have previously uncovered instances of non-citizens registering or casting ballots. A report released last year by Florida’s Office of Election Crimes and Security said investigators reviewed more than 800 potential cases and identified nearly 200 individuals believed to have illegally registered or voted. Many of those cases were referred to law enforcement.

The legislation also includes additional election changes, including a provision preventing college students from using student identification cards when voting in person.

One key timeline detail appears in the legislation itself.

The proof-of-citizenship requirement would not take effect until 2027, meaning it would not apply to the 2026 midterm elections.

The delayed rollout gives state agencies and local election supervisors time to update voter registration systems and coordinate verification procedures before the new requirements begin.

The bill now heads to DeSantis’ desk for his signature.