Fla. Stat. § 97.0525 — Florida Code / Title IX / Chapter 97 / Part II / Section 97.0525
97.0525 Online voter registration.
Status: in_force

(1) An applicant may submit an online voter registration application using the procedures set forth in this section.

(2) The division shall establish and maintain a secure Internet website that safeguards an applicant’s information to ensure data integrity and permits an applicant to: (a) Submit a voter registration application, including first-time voter registration applications and updates to current voter registration records. (b) Submit information necessary to establish an applicant’s eligibility to vote, pursuant to s. 97.041, which includes the information required for the uniform statewide voter registration application pursuant to s. 97.052(2). (c) Swear to the oath required pursuant to s. 97.051.

(3)(a) The online voter registration system shall comply with the information technology security provisions of s. 282.318 and shall use a unique identifier for each applicant to prevent unauthorized persons from altering a voter’s registration information. (b) The division shall conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of the online voter registration system every 2 years. The comprehensive risk assessment must comply with the risk assessment methodology developed by the Department of Management Services for identifying security risks, determining the magnitude of such risks, and identifying areas that require safeguards. In addition, the comprehensive risk assessment must incorporate all of the following: 1. Load testing and stress testing to ensure that the online voter registration system has sufficient capacity to accommodate foreseeable use, including during periods of high volume of website users in the week immediately preceding the book-closing deadline for an election. 2. Screening of computers and networks used to support the online voter registration system for malware and other vulnerabilities. 3. Evaluation of database infrastructure, including software and operating systems, in order to fortify defenses against cyberattacks. 4. Identification of any anticipated threats to the security and integrity of data collected, maintained, received, or transmitted by the online voter registration system.

(4)(a) The online voter registration system shall compare the Florida driver license number or Florida identification number submitted pursuant to s. 97.052(2)(n) with information maintained by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to confirm that the name and date of birth on the application are consistent with the records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. (b) If the applicant’s name and date of birth are consistent with the records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the online voter registration system shall transmit, using the statewide voter registration system maintained pursuant to s. 98.035, the applicant’s registration application, along with the digital signature of the applicant on file with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, to the supervisor of elections. The applicant’s digital signature satisfies the signature requirement of s. 97.052(2)(q). (c) If the applicant’s name and date of birth cannot be verified by the records of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, or if the applicant indicated that he or she has not been issued a Florida driver license or Florida identification card, the online voter registration system shall populate the applicant’s information into a printable voter registration application pursuant to s. 97.052(2) and direct the applicant to print, sign, and date the application and deliver the application to the supervisor of elections for disposition pursuant to s. 97.073.

(5) Upon submission of a completed online voter registration application, the website must generate an immediate electronic confirmation that the supervisor of elections has received the application and provide instructions regarding the ability of a registrant to check the status of the application thereafter.

(6) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the supervisor of elections shall process the application pursuant to s. 97.053.

(7) The online voter registration system must conform to nationally accepted standards for accessibility for individuals with disabilities, including s. 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, s. 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium, to ensure equal access for voters with disabilities.

(8) A legal distinction may not be made between online voter registration under this section and voter registration in person, by mail, or by other methods provided by general law.

History: s. 1, ch. 2015-36; s. 15, ch. 2019-118; s. 4, ch. 2021-11.