8/6/19 Division of Elections Rule Development Workshop
Workshop on Rule 1S-2.032 Uniform Design for Election Ballots – This rule will require statewide use of Spanish-language ballots because the state’s Puerto Rican American population has increased since the devastation of Hurricane Maria in September 2017, but there is currently no uniformity in Spanish-language ballot requirements. Revisions are also made in accordance with SB 7066.
Workshop on 1S-2.034 Polling Place Procedures Manual – This rule will amend the incorporated polling place procedures manual to require statewide Spanish-language assistance at the polls because the state’s Puerto Rican American population has increased since the devastation of Hurricane Maria in September 2017, but there is currently no uniformity in Spanish-language assistance. The manual will also be updated to reflect statutory changes, including additional forms of identification at polling places and substitution of the term “vote-by-mail ballot” for the term “absentee ballot,” and address circumstances encountered by voters and poll workers in past elections.
Workshop on 1S-2.040 Statewide Uniform Voter Registration Application – The proposed changes are to conform to statutory changes in Chapter 2019-162, Laws of Florida, which amends sections 97.052 and 97.053, Florida Statutes. The law requires three separate affirmation boxes relating to felony conviction status for purposes of voter registration eligibility on Form DS-DE 39. To accommodate the additional wording, other small changes are being made to the form, primarily in spacing to accommodate the additional affirmation boxes.