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FLORIDA - Florida lawmakers have advanced legislation that would require officials to verify the citizenship status of registered voters and change the types of identification accepted at polling places.
The proposal, known as House Bill 991, was approved by the Florida Legislature and introduces new procedures aimed at confirming that individuals listed on the state’s voter rolls are United States citizens.
The bill directs election officials to use available government databases to verify citizenship information for registered voters.
Under the legislation, state officials would compare voter registration records with information held by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and other government systems.
If a person’s citizenship cannot be confirmed through those records, election officials may request additional documentation.
Acceptable documents could include a United States passport, birth certificate or other official records that verify citizenship.
The bill also changes the types of identification voters can use at polling locations.
Student identification cards and identification issued by retirement communities would no longer qualify as acceptable voter ID under the proposed rules.
Other commonly used forms of identification would still be permitted, including Florida driver licenses, state issued identification cards, military identification and concealed carry permits.
Supporters of the legislation say the changes are intended to strengthen safeguards within Florida’s election system and ensure that only eligible citizens are registered to vote.
Critics have raised concerns that additional verification requirements could create challenges for some voters who may not have immediate access to documentation proving citizenship.
If enacted, the new procedures would require election officials to update voter registration verification processes and identification rules at polling locations throughout the state.