The Florida Immigrant Coalition is warning that two bills in the state legislature, HB 991 and SB 1334, will cause “chaos and disenfranchisement.”
The Florida Immigrant Coalition is raising serious concerns regarding the timeline for implementation of these proposed election law changes during the 2026 Florida Legislative Session.
HB 991 and SB 1334 propose revisions to Florida’s election code focusing on voter registration eligibility, identification requirements, and related administrative procedures. The progressive organization said those changes will result in administrative chaos and potential disenfranchisement of voters.
The group is warning that voters risk being removed from voter rolls and not finding out about it on time, people needing to update their drivers license to remain eligible to vote, and not enough time between bill implementation and the voter registration deadline in the state. But Republicans disagree.
“Florida must remain the gold standard on Election Integrity. HB 991 strengthens our citizenship verification process and stops foreign interference in our elections,” posted Republican State Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, who represents part of Lee County and has an office in Fort Myers. “This should not be a partisan issue! Floridians overwhelmingly support ensuring that only U.S. citizens vote in our elections. In 2020, 80% of voters enshrined that message into our State Constitution!”
HB 991, having passed the Florida House of Representatives, now moves to the Senate for consideration, which is why the Florida Immigrant Coalition responded with urgency. If approved by the Senate and signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, portions of the bill are projected to take effect as early as July 1, 2026. That is approximately six weeks before the state’s August primary elections. Additional components of the bill are scheduled for phased implementation, with a full effective date currently projected for January 1, 2027.
SB 1334 mirrors the House bill and is advancing through Senate committees. Key provisions in both versions, including new documentation requirements and changes to acceptable voter identification, will only take effect once the House and Senate versions are reconciled, signed by the Governor, and the specified effective dates are reached.
“The compressed timeline between legislative approval and implementation, especially for changes that could affect voter registration practices and preparation for upcoming elections, is bound to create chaos, as local election offices and voters may have limited time to adapt to new requirements prior to the August 2026 primary elections”, said Tessa Petit, Executive Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “Proponents of this bill in the Legislature have failed to provide detailed implementation plans, adequately engage with county election supervisors and civic groups to address concerns directly, and ensure that the timeline allows adequate preparation for election officials, community partners, and voters statewide.”
The Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) says it is “a hub for a bold, agile, and strategic social movement to protect Florida immigrants” and the statewide coalition includes 83 member organizations and over 100 allies. The group says it is “led by our membership, including grassroots and community organizations, farmworkers, youth, advocates, lawyers, union members, and more.”
View the state legislation moving through the Florida legislature: HB 991 and SB 1334
