Florida Legislature Advances Bill Requiring Proof of U.S. Citizenship to Vote
Florida legislators are advancing a major election bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, marking one of the most consequential changes to voting law in years in the Sunshine State.
The proposal has already passed key Senate and House committees on party lines and could reach full chamber votes soon, intensifying a fierce divide over election rules ahead of 2026 races.
Under the current version of the legislation, sponsored in the Senate as SB 1334 and in the House as HB 991, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles would be required to verify a prospective voter’s citizenship status before registration is marked valid. If state records don’t confirm citizenship, applicants would have to present hard documentation — such as a REAL-ID-compliant license, passport, birth certificate, naturalization paperwork, or similar proof — to complete registration.
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In addition to tightening registration requirements, the bill would overhaul election procedures by replacing traditional recounts with a new automated vote validation process and adjust voter list maintenance based on citizenship verification.
Critics have blasted the approach, warning it goes beyond enforcing existing citizenship rules and could block eligible U.S. citizens from voting. “Show-your-papers measures… another cost put on Floridians,” said a state voting rights advocate opposing the bill.
Proponents counter that the changes simply enforce the constitutional requirement that only U.S. citizens vote, arguing the state must ensure election integrity.
Passage could reshape Florida’s voter rolls and how elections are verified, with lawmakers in Tallahassee expected to vote on final versions in the coming weeks. What happens next: floor votes in both chambers and potential conference negotiations before the session adjourns.
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