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Florida > The Florida Election Code > Qualification And Registration Of Electors Florida Voter Registration Act

§ 97.0535 Special requirements for certain applicants.

Overview of Statute

This statute provides alternative means of identification for individuals attempting to register to vote who do not have a valid Florida driver’s license, a Florida ID card, or a social security number. The statute then provides a list of individuals who are exempted from the special requirements in this section.

Statute

(1) Each applicant who registers by mail and who has never previously voted in the state and who the department has verified has not been issued a current and valid Florida driver license, Florida identification card, or social security number shall be required to provide a copy of a current and valid identification, as provided in subsection (3), or indicate that he or she is exempt from the requirements prior to voting. Such identification or indication may be provided at the time of registering, or at any time prior to voting for the first time in the state. If the voter registration application clearly provides information from which a voter registration official can determine that the applicant meets at least one of the exemptions in subsection (4), the voter registration official shall make the notation on the registration records of the statewide voter registration system and the applicant shall not be required to provide the identification required by this section.
(2) The voter registration official shall, upon accepting the voter registration application submitted pursuant to subsection (1), determine if the applicant provided the required identification at the time of registering. If the required identification was not provided, the supervisor shall notify the applicant that he or she must provide the identification prior to voting the first time in the state.

(3)(a) The following forms of identification shall be considered current and valid if they contain the name and photograph of the applicant and have not expired:

  1. United States passport.
  2. Debit or credit card.
  3. Military identification.
  4. Student identification.
  5. Retirement center identification.
  6. Neighborhood association identification.
  7. Public assistance identification.
  8. Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
  9. A license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06.
  10. Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

(b) The following forms of identification shall be considered current and valid if they contain the name and current residence address of the applicant:

  1. Utility bill.
  2. Bank statement.
  3. Government check.
  4. Paycheck.
  5. Other government document (excluding voter identification card).

(4) The following persons are exempt from the identification requirements of this section:

(a) Persons 65 years of age or older.

(b) Persons with a temporary or permanent physical disability.

(c) Members of the uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of such active duty, are absent from the county on election day.

(d) Members of the Merchant Marine who, by reason of service in the Merchant Marine, are absent from the county on election day.

(e) The spouse or dependent of a member referred to in paragraph (c) or paragraph (d) who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, is absent from the county on election day.

(f) Persons currently residing outside the United States who are eligible to vote in Florida.

History:

s. 6, ch. 2003-415; s. 7, ch. 2005-278; s. 4, ch. 2008-95; s. 1, ch. 2016-167.

1. Definition for Department

2. Definition for Supervisor

3. Definition for Voter Registration Official

Definition [Voter Registration Official]

Any supervisor of elections or individual authorized by the Secretary of State to accept voter registration applications and execute updates to the statewide voter registration system. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(43).

4. Definition for Issue

Definition [Issue]

A proposition that is required by the State Constitution, by law or resolution of the Legislature, or by the charter, ordinance, or resolution of a political subdivision of this state to be submitted to the electors for their approval or rejection at an election, or a proposition for which a petition is circulated in order to have such proposition placed on the ballot at an election. Fla. Stat. § 106.011(13).

5. Definition for Person

Definition [Person]

An individual or a corporation, association, firm, partnership, joint venture, joint stock company, club, organization, estate, trust, business trust, syndicate, or other combination of individuals having collective capacity. The term includes a political party, affiliated party committee, or political committee. Fla. Stat. § 106.011(14).

6. Definition for Election

Definition [Election]

Any primary election, special primary election, special election, general election, or presidential preference primary election. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(12).

Regulations & Guidance

Regulations

Additional Resources

Further Reading

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 58, Acceptance of voter registration applications; verification

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 151, Identification required at polls-Registration by mail

  • 0050 SURVEYS 9; Voter Registration