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FL S1556
Bill
AI Summary
- Requires the Governor to call special primary elections (removing discretionary authority) and fix special election dates within 5 days of a vacancy, in consultation with the Secretary of State and local supervisors of elections, setting the earliest feasible dates
- Mandates special elections be held no later than 126 days after a vacancy occurs, with an extension to 175 days if a supervisor certifies that conflicts with scheduled elections would impose undue hardship
- Reduces the resignation deadline for officers seeking to qualify in an election to fill a vacancy caused by a resignation from 10 days to 5 days before the first day of qualifying
- Creates a new special write-in ballot process for absent uniformed services and overseas voters, requiring supervisors to send ballots at least 45 days before an election if regular vote-by-mail ballots cannot be sent on time, and establishing procedures for handling dual ballot submissions
- Eliminates the authority of the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker to jointly waive minimum timeframes between elections during legislative sessions, and deems a candidate elected if they are the sole qualifier or win a special primary with no general election opposition
- Takes effect July 1, 2025
Legislative Description
Special Elections
Last Action
Died in Ethics and Elections
6/16/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available