The Florida Legislature passed a comprehensive election bill Thursday (29) that includes reducing the number of ballot boxes in the state and requiring voters to show proof of identity when applying for mail-in ballots and updating their registration information. Republicans say the bill could prevent possible future election fraud.
The state Senate passed the omnibus bill without the support of Democratic lawmakers, and it has been sent to Governor DeSantis for approval. The state says DeSantis supports the bill, saying it would ensure Florida is a leader in the security, integrity and transparency of the U.S. election system. The scope of the bill includes measures to reduce the number of ballot boxes, restrict local agencies from receiving most election-related monetary assistance, expand the no canvassing zone to 15 meters outside the polling place, and reduce the scope of coverage suitable for vote-by-mail applications and increase the number of voting inspectors.
Republican state Senator Travis Hutson (R-Texas) stressed that the bill is to protect the monitoring of elections, adding that one fraudulent ballot is too many.
Nearly all state legislatures except Florida have introduced similar bills, and five states have passed them. Voting rights and civil rights groups have issued several lawsuits, and attorney Marc Elias, who represents the prosecution in several related court cases, has promised to file a lawsuit if Florida passes the bill.
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