The legislation marks the second straight year when\u00a0DeSantis drove elections changes through the Legislature. Many provisions ruled unconstitutional.
TALLAHASSEE – A new security office would be created to investigate claims of voter fraud while increased penalties could be imposed on those violating state elections laws, under a measure signed Monday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The legislation (SB 524) was approved by the Republican-controlled state House and Senate in mostly party-line votes and marks the second straight year when DeSantis drove elections changes through the Legislature. Many of the top provisions of last year’s law were struck down last month as unconstitutional by a federal judge, although DeSantis appeared undeterred Monday. “The bill I’m going to sign today really builds on the success that we had last year. I think some of these things are really going to be significant,” DeSantis said, at a rally-like bill-signing held inside a Spring Hill sports bar. Last year’s bill (SB 90) included limits on drop boxes used for mail-in ballots, giving food or water to voters waiting in line and added new requirements on voter registration groups. Tallahassee-area U.S. District Court Judge Mark Walker found the limits unconstitutional and especially discriminatory toward minority voters. The state is appealing the decision. DeSantis continued to highlight that measure’s provisions Monday, assuring his supporters at the latest bill-signing that, “We’re going to win on appeal.” The new approach spends $3.7 million to add 15 Florida Department of State officials to accept hotline tips about potential ballot wrongdoing that would then be passed onto 10 Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators for further examination.
