FL H0153

Driver license and identification card applications, renewals, and address changes submitted to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles would automatically serve as voter registration applications or voter registration record updates under amended Section 97.057, F.S.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles must include a voter registration component on all driver license and ID card applications, approved by the Department of State, containing eligibility requirements, a signature consent statement, and an option to decline registration.

Applicants who do not decline voter registration within 21 calendar days of receiving notification from the supervisor of elections are automatically registered to vote (if eligible and not already registered) or have their registration records updated; those who do not designate a party affiliation are registered without party affiliation.

Electronic voter registration data must be transmitted to the statewide voter registration system within 24 hours of receipt; paper-based applications must be forwarded to the appropriate county supervisor within 5 days.

Declinations to register must be recorded and forwarded to the statewide voter registration system but may not be used for any purpose other than voter registration. The effective date is July 1, 2021.