§ 97.051 Oath upon registering.
Overview of Statute
This statute provides the oath that all Florida voters must take when they register to vote.
Statute
A person registering to vote must subscribe to the following oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida, that I am qualified to register as an elector under the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, and that all information provided in this application is true.”
History:
s. 7, ch. 3879, 1889; RS 161; s. 8, ch. 4328, 1895; GS 178; RGS 222; CGL 257; s. 4, ch. 25383, 1949; s. 1, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 3, ch. 69-280; ss. 2, 4, ch. 71-108; s. 1, ch. 72-63; s. 2, ch. 77-175; s. 1, ch. 81-304; s. 9, ch. 94-224; s. 3, ch. 2005-277; s. 4, ch. 2005-278.
- Cross-References:
- Registration Requirements
- Voter Registration
1. Definition for Person
An individual or a corporation, association, firm, partnership, joint venture, joint stock company, club, organization, estate, trust, business trust, syndicate, or other combination of individuals having collective capacity. The term includes a political party, affiliated party committee, or political committee. Fla. Stat. § 106.011(14).
2. 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).
Cases
Florida Cases
Case Name: State v. Parsons
Citation: 302 So.2d 766
Year: 1974
Case URL: https://www.ravellaw.com/opinions/b27ae641411e583ca9f1a87cb81881b2
Case Summary: State v. Parsons held that a defendant who, in order to register to vote, allegedly took an untrue oath that he was qualified to vote (knowing that he had been convicted of a felony), could not be convicted of false swearing.
Case Name: Fields v. Askew
Citation: 279 So.2d 822
Year: 1973
Case URL: https://www.ravellaw.com/opinions/9f6531893fba02e95040e5a0d3927257
Case Summary: Fields v. Askew held that the loyalty oath does not conflict with neither the Florida Constitution, nor with the due process and equal protection clauses, nor with the 1st Amendment of the Federal Constitution.
Out-of-State Cases
Federal Cases
Regulations & Guidance
Administrative Decisions
Additional Resources
Further Reading
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Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 41, Oath of loyalty
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Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 57, Generally; uniform statewide voter registration application
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Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 59, Acceptance of voter registration applications; verification-Oath upon registering
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0050 SURVEYS 9; Voter Registration