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Civil rights organizations are suing over Florida's new election law requiring applicants to provide proof of citizenship to vote.
Florida has the second largest number of naturalized citizens and those with legal status in the country.
But now, a new Florida law, HB 991, mirror's federal law requiring proof of citizenship to vote, especially newly naturalized citizens.
The Florida SAVE act takes effect next year requires these people to prove their citizenship in order to register to vote. That's why Tessa Petit, a naturalized citizen with the Florida Immigrant Coalition, says she joined the lawsuit.
The lawsuit names Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, as well as Broward County Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Link, and Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia, as defendants. Plaintiffs include civil rights organizations, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Florida Rising, Common Cause, and the Advancement Project.
Hani Mirza with the Advancement Project, says the previous system was working fine. "Voters were able to check the box on the application that they are a citizen, now they must prove it, including naturalized citizens."
Immigrants who go through the arduous naturalization process are now required to notify the DMV of their citizenship in order to vote after 2027.
The documentation must be transmitted to the statewide voter registration system via the DMV. Currently, in order to get a Florida driver's license, non-Americans must provide documents proving lawful status which includes a valid foreign passport. The new election law requires that status be recorded in the statewide voter registration system.
“Thousands of South Florida voters will have their ability to vote taken away if this law goes into effect,” said Oliver Torres, Common Cause’s Florida Program Manager. “So many here in Florida came because they wanted to have a voice and a say in what happens in their life. But denying them the right to vote takes away that freedom.” He says HB 991, "Disproportionately impacting Black, Latino, immigrant, senior citizen, and young voters, while undermining the fundamental right to vote in violation of both the U.S. Constitution and the National Voter Registration Act."
The new law will not impact the mid-term elections in 2026.