Contending the state needs to strengthen election integrity, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday proposed a series of changes in Florida’s voting process.
DeSantis made the announcement three months after proclaiming that Florida had vanquished the “ghost” of the 2000 presidential recount and other well-documented election problems. He reiterated Friday that Florida held the “smoothest and most successful election of any state” in November, but he said the state can’t “rest on our laurels.”
“It’s going to be transparent. It’s going to be above board. It’s going to be a confidence-inspiring process,” DeSantis told applauding supporters during a campaign-style press event at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport in West Palm Beach. “And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Don’t let anyone point to any other state and try to act like that is how Florida conducts elections because that is not true. That may have been true 20 years ago. It is not true now.”
With this year’s legislative session slated to start March 2, Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, issued a statement Friday backing DeSantis on the issue.
“We join the governor in his efforts to continue to make Florida the national leader on election integrity, and we look forward to working with him on this important issue,” the joint statement said. “Rather than resting on our laurels and congratulating one another on a successful 2020 election, our time is best spent preparing for 2022 and beyond. We don’t want to backslide. We are here to keep Florida a model for the rest of America.”
But Democrats immediately criticized the proposals, including potential changes in the vote-by-mail process. Democrats cast far more vote-by-mail ballots than Republicans during the 2020 elections.
“These remarks by Governor DeSantis and his fellow Republicans make clear that they are more interested in holding on to power at all costs than ensuring fair access to our democracy,” Florida Democratic Party Chairman Manny Diaz said in a statement. “They want to limit vote-by-mail because they know that more people voting threatens their power, so they are turning back to the Trump Republican authoritarian playbook: voter suppression and incendiary rhetoric about election integrity.”
DeSantis’ proposals echo issues that Republicans focused on last year as former President Donald Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden — and as Trump unsuccessfully challenged election results in several states.
For example, DeSantis’ proposal would address the use of drop boxes to collect vote-by-mail ballots and would prohibit volunteers from collecting vote-by-mail ballots from people outside their immediate families, a process dubbed “ballot harvesting.” The state already prohibits people from being paid to collect vote-by-mail ballots.
DeSantis also wants more scrutiny of vote-by-mail ballot signatures, requiring them to match the most recent signatures on file and for voters to request vote-by-mail ballots each general election cycle. Currently, voters can sign up to receive vote-by-mail ballots for two consecutive general-election cycles.
The governor also wants county supervisors of election to post online over-vote ballots that are to be considered by canvassing boards and to prohibit counties from receiving grants from private organizations for “get out the vote” initiatives.
Elections officials would also have to provide “real-time” reporting of voter turnout data at the precinct level, along with providing reports on the numbers of ballots requested, received and left to be counted.
Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hills, said the measures are designed to keep election problems that happened in other states from happening in Florida.
“We know that we had a great situation here in Florida the last election, but we’ve seen on TV what other states are doing, or what other states are not doing,” Ingoglia, a former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, said while appearing with DeSantis on Friday. “So, just because it happens in other states does not mean that we don’t put up good legislation to make sure that what happens in those states does not happen here in the great state of Florida.”
One of the proposed changes — requiring vote-by-mail ballots to be requested each general-election cycle — started rolling through the Senate this week.
Under current law, Floridians’ vote-by-mail ballot requests are good for the years including the next two general elections. For example, if a person requests a vote-by-mail ballot this year, the request would be good for all elections through 2024 — as general elections will be held in 2022 and 2024, according to a Senate staff analysis.
But the Senate proposal (SB 90) would scale that back so the request would be good only for the year containing the next general election. For instance, if a person requests a vote-by-mail ballot this year, the request would be good for all elections through 2022.
Senate Ethics and Elections Chairman Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican sponsoring the measure, said it would help improve the security of the vote-by-mail process, citing concerns about issues such as people moving frequently and ballots going to their old addresses.
But Democrats, on the losing side of a 5-4 vote Tuesday in Baxley’s committee, said the bill would hurt voting by mail, with Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, pointing to a history of voter suppression in Florida and the upcoming 2022 gubernatorial election, when DeSantis will be on the ballot.
“This is clearly going to reduce vote-by-mail in Democratic counties. … And so, I can’t support this. I’m sorry that I even have to take it there, but it’s disheartening to look at this for what I see it is,” Bracy said.
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing many people to be reluctant to go to the polls, more than 4.85 million Floridians cast votes by mail in the November election. That included about 2.19 million registered Democrats and 1.5 million registered Republicans, with the rest of the ballots cast by unaffiliated or third-party voters.
DeSantis noted Friday the entire election process went smoothly in Florida, with 11 million votes counted and 99 percent of election results available by midnight on Election Day.
“The results of 2020, from an administrative perspective, was that Florida had the most transparent and efficient election anywhere in the country,” DeSantis said. “Other states took days, weeks and even months to count their votes.”
–Jim Turner, News Service of Florida
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Donald says
All sounds great to me.
Robjr says
Next you all will want to bring back the Citizen’s Councils of the 1950’s.
Stacy says
So afraid. Across the nation, the republicans have to try to suppress the vote to try and stay in power. If they would just do a good job for the people and stop trying to cheat to win, perhaps they would be more respected.
Ron DeSantis doesn’t care about Floridians. He’s a mini me Trump.
Eric says
Desantis is an outstanding governor. States are jealous of the job hes done. What cheating has he done? Are you sad the bisexual drug addict didnt win the election?
Steve says
I Voted for DeSantis. He won’t get it again. Hes suppressed information on C19, bullied those that publicly oppose him and is nothing more than a lapdog bootlicker for the Ex Former President. He only cares about promoting His and the extreme Rights agenda nothing more. He could care less about the Florida Residents who Put him in Office. Your smartass comment about Gilliams Sexual Identity is part of the Far Rights reasons they will continue to lose Elections. Your bigotry is Societies success. Just keep WINNING. Vote Accordingly
Bernie 2020 says
He has done a fair job.
He just has too much Trump GOP in him.
CB from PC says
Great ideas.
These are great steps at the State level which will prevent a repeat of chaos resulting from the never investigated signed affidavits and state Constitution violations eventually leading up to pissed off Citizens invading the Capitol.
States such as PA, GA etc would do well to follow DeSantis.
Of course, most of the Democrat controlled states can’t figure out how to open businesses and schools, and truthfully do not want the outcome of an honest election.
So now we have a confused man in the WH, with his own suspect corruption. and well documented racist past incarcerating minorities, 1994 crime bill.
Opposition to busing because he did not want his kids going to school in an urban “jungle”, his term, and don’t forget his close friend, Klan Wizard Robert Byrd, also Hilary Clinton’s “mentor”.
Joe Biden and his regressive “progressives”, making America a shithole.
And let’s not forget where the home of “hate” really is.
Looks like lies and deceit also are occupants.
Unfortunately, intelligence has long vacated the premises.
Steve says
Who was Impeached twice and then Voted out as after a near Insurrection. LMAO Reality on the eye of the beholder which doesnt surprise me after listening to 5 years of an Alernate version of the Truth. 45s Administration couldnt hold a Press Conference without lies. LOL. 45 himself lied over 100000 times.1994 was a long time ago. Things change. It was never about BIDEN it was anyone other than the Orange blowhard. Talk about Democratic States hows that GOP run Texas disaster doing for you Mr. Hypocrite
Rick G says
Another Republican effort to suppress votes by minorities, young people and those whose job doesn’t allow for easy voting. You aren’t fooling anybody Mr Mini Trump.
Local says
You forgot one key word…..”illegal”. And also, if people can drive to a dropbox they can drive to vote in person
Sad Times says
Yes, they could drive to vote in person. You did not consider those whose lack of mobility hinders them from walking to the voting structure.
There again…the Republicans are not capable of walking in the shoes of others…of those who cannot just sprint out of the car, or climb a batch of stairs, or walk distances.
Republicans…please put on your humanity hats ….who are you to judge? I am so tired of reading about the stupidities.
Mark says
Did George Washington vote by mail? There should be no such thing! If it is allowed it should be strictly controlled.
Pierre Tristam says
Mark is right. It’s outrageous that we allow driving to polling places, making phone inquiries to the supervisor of elections and using felt-tipped pens to fill out ballots–or that polling places are heated and air-conditioned. How unamerican is that? None of those things happened in Washington’s time. And don’t get me started on Blacks and women voting.
Glen Aplin says
They also didnt have Electricity back then, so your comment makes no sense…..
Rick G says
If its hot the Rs want it cool If its cool the Rs want it hot..What it is they want it not.
Bernie 2020 says
Did George Washington have a AR15? I guess that means you can only defend your home with a musket an a cannon ball.
Voting is already strictly controlled. This isn’t America Idol or The Voice. They only allow you to vote once.
LetThemEatCake says
That’s because he know they will remove the “fixer” in the Post Office (DeJoy) and this time, they can’t disappear ballots in this state. So, if “they” vote, Repugs always lose. What better way to stop “them” from voting but to disenfranchise. It’s the only play the Repugs know, outside of making up lies, such as why the grid failed in Texas…
Deirdre says
I agree we need to alter the way people vote; we need to do away with the electoral college, further encourage voting (private or otherwise), ensure there’s many options to vote including mail in ballots (without trying to shut down post offices or overwhelm them so the votes won’t go through). Don’t get me started on gerrymandering or other policies that specifically hurt Democrats and people of color.
So many people have needlessly died in Florida from Covid because of DeSantis’ policies, he does clearly does not have what it takes to do the right thing for the people of Florida. I know plenty of other people that feel that way too.
To make things fair, let’s make them fair, regardless of your mindset or political affiliations, EVERYONES vote should count, and people in the position of power should facilitate the process instead of hindering it.
In addition, in complaining about how some states took so long to count voting, consider why. Trump insisted that every state count and recount and recount, even though the outcomes were clear. Those millions of dollars could’ve been used to help people with Covid and economic needs instead of being wasted on recounting votes that were crystal clear in the first place for being correct. I’m not surprised he wants to suppress votes that don’t go in his favor for the coming election. This guy has got to GO!
Eric says
Remove the electoral vote? You wont have a vote if we get rid of that.
I vote for DEMS, lol says
“electoral restrictions” means making sure, ensuring, my vote does not count. Plain and simple. Dems suppression while fatty mc fat fingers remains in office.
Sad Times says
Well…well…well! Typical Republican behavior! Since they can’t seem to win the legitimate way…since it appears that they are not smart enough to even come up with a Republican plan for how they can help our country…they continue to find ways to suppress votes!
Unfortunately, they’ve been screwing up the voting process for decades. They are too stupid to figure out how to provide a platform…of any kind! Instead, they try so hard to make it impossible for many folks…just to cast a vote.
I still don’t understand how the Republicans think that it is better to make voting difficult…instead of easy! I guess stupidity continues to win the day!
Mythoughts says
Voting Suppression from the puppet Trump Republican Governor. When they lose they will try anyway to continue to make it hard for Democrats to vote.
Can’t wait until he is up for re-election, Trump the one-term President and DeSantis the one-term Governor. Not to mention the lousy job he did handling the covid virus in the State of Florida up there with the number of deaths than most states.
Vaccine rolls out under DeSantis is a state disgrace and now the reason it is only improving is because of President Biden getting involved.
Concerned Citizen says
Unless you are disabled, a senior or a service member over seas you should vote in person with a valid ID.
All during the Pandemic Walmart and other places have been crowded. Folks still went out to eat and went to the liquor stores. But yet bitched about voting. Because priorities right?
Our country has become a self entitled whiney nation. We want as much convienience as possible.
Do you know there are countries where people are killed for voting? Or are marked and have to deal with it for life? I spent 2 tours in the Middle East. And watched people risk it all to stand in line for a vote.
But yeah lets keep opening ourselves up to voter fraud and other shenannigans.
Old Guy says
Another “solution” in search of a problem.
Bernie 2020 says
How about just leaving it alone? 160 million people voted and made their voice heard. 75 Million people voted for Trump the most in the GOP’s history. Just because he lost doesn’t mean it was fraud. In fact not one piece of evidence can be shown to any court. Has anyone vetted all the Trump votes here in Florida. Did he really win?
But when the GOP loses the White House it always comes to this. Same BS came out in 2009 after Obama won. The only fraud they can prove comes from their own party. Someone making a mistake on a ballot, transposing a number for a count or voting in the wrong district is a mistake, which is bound to happen and they have quality checks for that. Now with the Dominion’s lawsuits, they will have to prove in court again.
Trump has completely turned me away from the Republican Party and I will never vote for their party again. If they are the only one running I will just keep the box blank going forward.
What Else Is New? says
DeShamful needs to retire and go live at Mar a lotto with Mr. T. The United States of America conducted a fair election. President Joe Biden was elected. You Republicans need to come to grips with this fact. The “big lie of the steal” is still galloping through Republican legislatures who with the exception of a few Republicans display this unprincipled cowardly nonsensical rubbish. We do not need voter suppression to continue in this State. Florida proved fair elections can happen. Voting by mail is legal. Retire Ron.
YAPOS says
There is always room for improvement. As it is now Florida has 67 counties doing things their own way, some follow Rules and Statutes and others not. A reminder of that is when Governor Rick Scott surveyed the Supervisor of Elections following an election in 2012 and only a handful were in the top 10 complying with all requirements. What about those who ranked at the bottom? All was ignored. Elections are only as good as the staff running them as we have learned in 2020 with the states that couldn’t get results for weeks, and certified elections including invalid votes that they comingled with valid votes. Governor De Santis has a lot of room for improvement in this state and one of the things all Governor’s need to push for is a nation wide voter registration data base to tell if people are voting more than once, and prosecute those that violate the law and vote illegally. As it is now State Attorney Offices across the state of Florida get notified by election offices of felons who voted who were not eligible, and they do nothing! Cherry picking who they want to prosecute should be reason to remove State Attorney’s from office. Voter ID must be presented and definately something needs to be done with first time voters showing ID when they vote by mail. I know here in Flagler County Supervisor Lenhart was accepting mail in ballots from first time voters, and voters did not send in any ID when voting the first time, which now allows them to vote by mail forever and never have to show ID.
Kaiti Lenhart says
That’s simply not true. First time absentee voters must provide ID according to Florida Statute, the process is laid out in Section 101.6921. We provide an additional envelope for the voter to return a copy of their photo and signature identification. In the 2020 General Election, there were 32 first time absentee voters. Twelve of those sent in a copy of their identification and their votes were counted. The remaining ballots were not returned.
Voting by mail in Florida is a secure method of voting. It should not be a partisan issue. 44% of our total turnout in the 2020 General were voters who chose to vote by mail. 13,470 were registered Democrats, 11,671 were registered Republicans and the remainder are non-affiliated or minor party registered voters.
I wrote the following FAQ about mail ballot voting in Flagler County for the 2020 election season, which helps explain the process: https://www.flaglerelections.com/How-To-Vote/Mail-Ballot-FAQ
If you have more questions, feel free to contact me.
mausborn says
Look, Republicans can’t win using ideas and policies, so they use LIES, FEAR and INTIMIDATION to change the VOTING rules in their favor. In Georgia, registering new young voters is a counter strategy thats working against the GOP VOTER SUPRESSION. Other states will do the same.
Preventing people from voting is not the answer to winning an election. Giving the electorate a reason to vote for your party by promoting platforms that people feel comfortable supporting points the way to success. Restricting voting only highlights your desperation.