§ 98.077 Update of voter signature.
Statute
(1) A registered voter may update his or her signature on file in the statewide voter registration system at any time using a voter registration application submitted to a voter registration official.
(2) The department and supervisors of elections shall include in any correspondence, other than postcard notifications and notices relating to eligibility, sent to a registered voter information regarding when, where, and how to update the voter’s signature and shall provide the voter information on how to obtain a voter registration application from a voter registration official which can be returned to update the signature.
(3) At least once during each general election year, the supervisor shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation or other newspaper in the county deemed appropriate by the supervisor a notice specifying when, where, or how a voter can update his or her signature that is on file and how a voter can obtain a voter registration application from a voter registration official.
(4) Except as authorized in ss. 101.048 and 101.68:
(a) All signature updates for use in verifying vote-by-mail and provisional ballots must be received by the appropriate supervisor before the elector’s ballot is received by the supervisor or, in the case of provisional ballots, before the elector’s ballot is cast.
(b) The signature on file at the time the vote-by-mail ballot is received or at the time the provisional ballot is cast is the signature that shall be used in verifying the signature on the vote-by-mail and provisional ballot certificates, respectively.
History:
s. 8, ch. 2002-189; s. 10, ch. 2005-277; s. 22, ch. 2005-278; s. 8, ch. 2006-1; s. 5, ch. 2016-37; s. 3, ch. 2019-162.
- Cross-References:
- Registration Records
- Voter Registration
1. Definition for Department
The Department of State. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(7).
2. Definition for Supervisor
The supervisor of elections. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(36).
3. Definition for General Election
An election held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the even-numbered years, for the purpose of filling national, state, county, and district offices and for voting on constitutional amendments not otherwise provided for by law. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(16).
4. Definition for Provisional Ballot
A conditional ballot, the validity of which is determined by the canvassing board. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(30).
5. Definition for Voter Registration Official
Any supervisor of elections or individual authorized by the Secretary of State to accept voter registration applications and execute updates to the statewide voter registration system. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(43).
6. Definition for Newspaper of General Circulation
A newspaper printed in the language most commonly spoken in the area within which it circulates and which is readily available for purchase by all inhabitants in the area of circulation, but does not include a newspaper intended primarily for members of a particular professional or occupational group, a newspaper the primary function of which is to carry legal notices, or a newspaper that is given away primarily to distribute advertising. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(20).
7. Definition for Ballot
As used in the Electronic Voting Systems Act, ballot means the card, tape, or other vehicle upon which the elector’s choices are recorded. Fla. Stat. § 101.5603(2).
8. Definition for Elector
“Elector” is synonymous with the word “voter” or “qualified elector or voter,” except where the word is used to describe presidential electors. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(15).
9. Definition for Election
Any primary election, special primary election, special election, general election, or presidential preference primary election. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(12).