Supervisor of Elections Brevard County, Florida

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2003 Election Law Changes

The 2003 session of the state legislature passed an election reform bill (HB 29-B) which became law on July 24, 2003. This bill made several changes to the state election laws as noted below. Revised or added Florida Statute section numbers are included below where applicable.

The following provisions of the bill take effect immediately:

• Creates a procedure for filing complaints of violations of Title III of the Help America Vote Act. (Section 97.028)

• Authorizes the Division of Elections to begin preparations for a statewide voter registration system to replace the current Central Voter File. (Sections 98.097 & 98.0977)

• Allows a registrant's Florida driver's license number or Florida identification card number to substitute for the last four digits of the voter's social security number on the registration application. (Section 97.053)

• Adds a requirement that voters who register by mail must provide identification the first time that they vote, either at the polls or by absentee ballot. The following forms of identification are considered valid if they have not expired and if they include the voter's name and photograph:
  • Florida driver's license
  • Florida ID card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • United States passport
  • Employee badge or ID card
  • Buyer's club ID
  • Debit or credit card
  • Military ID
  • Student ID
  • Retirement center ID
  • Neighborhood association ID
  • Entertainment ID
  • Public assistance ID

  These additional forms of identification are valid if they contain the name and residence address of the voter:

  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Government check
  • Paycheck
  • Other government document except for voter ID card

  The following groups of voters are excluded from the identification requirement:

  • Persons 65 years old or older
  • Persons with a temporary or permanent disability
  • Active duty members of the armed forces and their dependents who are out of the county
  • Active duty members of the merchant marine and their dependents who are out of the county
  • Persons who are temporarily residing outside of the United States

  If a voter who has registered by mail appears at the polls to vote for the first time but does not have any of the identification listed above, they will be allowed to vote by provisional ballot. (Sections 97.0535 & 98.471)

• Creates a free access system for voters who cast provisional ballots to determine whether or not their ballot was counted. (Section 101.048)

• Provides that, in the event that the poll hours are extended by court order or executive order, all votes cast following the regular closing time will be cast as provisional ballots. Requires that votes cast by these special provisional ballots be segregated from other votes. (Sections 101.049 & 102.141)

• Creates a special absentee ballot certificate, mailing envelope and instructions for voters who registered by mail and are voting for the first time. These voters will be required to either remit a copy of their identification along with their ballot or attest that they are exempt from the requirement. Provides instructions for canvassing these special absentee ballots. (Sections 101.6921, 101.6923 & 101.6925)

• Extends the period for making absentee ballot requests with a Federal Post Card Application from one year to two years. (Section 101.694)

• Eliminates the Second Primary Election for 2004 and adjusts qualifying and reporting dates.