Title: Advisory Opinions on Voter Eligibility

Summary: Requiring the Division of Elections to provide certain advisory opinions upon request within a certain timeframe; providing that a person who makes such request is deemed eligible to register to vote and to vote if the division does not provide the advisory opinion within the specified timeframe; requiring the division to issue to such person a certain card; requiring that the card be mailed to the person by a certain day, etc.

Full Text:
An act relating to advisory opinions on voter eligibility; amending s. 106.23, F.S.; requiring the Division of Elections to provide certain advisory opinions upon request within a certain timeframe; providing that a person who makes such request is deemed eligible to register to vote and to vote if the division does not provide the advisory opinion within the specified timeframe; requiring the division to issue to such person a certain card; requiring that the card be mailed to the person by a certain day; providing applicability; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Subsection (3) is added to section 106.23, Florida Statutes, to read: 106.23 Powers of the Division of Elections.  (3)(a)   The Division of Elections shall provide a written advisory opinion to a person requesting an advisory opinion on his or her eligibility to register to vote or to vote. The advisory opinion must be provided to the person within days after he or she makes the request. (b)   If the division does not provide the advisory opinion within the 90-day period: 1.   The person who made the request is, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, deemed eligible to register to vote and to vote and is not subject to criminal prosecution, fines, civil liability, or other penalties for any acts relating to registering to vote or to voting. 2.   The division shall issue to the person who made the request a card bearing the seal of the state and stating that such person is authorized to register to vote and to vote. The card must be mailed to the person by the 91st day after the person makes his or her request. (c)   Paragraph (b) does not apply to a person disqualified from voting based on a felony sexual offense or a felony conviction for murder as defined in s. 98.0751(2)(b) or (c), respectively. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.